The Equita 5&Cup Open
This competition - which was a new event in the reining programme in the Western riding area this year - was reserved for horses of 5 years old and over. As in all age-group categories, the class is divided into several levels, notably a Level 2 and 4 for this event.
The Open rider (i. e. the professionals) kicked off proceedings, with the amateurs scheduled for tomorrow (Sunday). The class represented the highlight of this year's programme, and it kept all its promises in front of a full house.
The Canadian trainer Morey Fisk won the level 4 category on Xtra Ruby Cocktail, owned by Sabine Schmid, a Swiss rider. The duo scored 221.5 points, in line with the coach's expectations, who appreciated how his horse handled throughout the week. "I am very happy with the horse, which performed well at the show. We came her to put in a great performance and we did what we set out to do. I have always loved Equita Lyon and I always enjoy coming here," he told us as he left the awards ceremony.
In Level 2, the Swedish trainer, Anders Josefsson was the winner on Gotta Shiney Whiz, owned by Annemanna AB, with a score of 220. This result also enabled them to win the title of Level 4 Reserve Champion. At the end of the class, Anders told us: "She is a very good horse. We were unlucky at the NRHA European Championship because she got injured during a sliding stop but then we won the Scandinavian Derby and we have also done well here. I’m really happy! I love Equita Lyon, and I have been coming for many years."
The level-2 Reserve Champion is Gregory Legrand, a French trainer - who also won yesterday's Limited Open class - on Rooster Nic, a horse owned by Mrs Jo Corby, with a score of 216. Gregory Legrand trains in the Paris region at GB Quarter Horses.