Matthew Sampson (GBR) riding Mgh Candy Girl in the CSI5* The Defender Challenge Stakes during the Royal Windsor Horse Show In Partnership with Defender, held in the private grounds of Windsor Castle in Windsor in Berkshire in the UK between 1st – 5th May 2024
” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024.05.04.99.99-RWHS-CSI-5-1.50-Matthew-Sampson-MGH-Candy-Girl.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024.05.04.99.99-RWHS-CSI-5-1.50-Matthew-Sampson-MGH-Candy-Girl.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024.05.04.99.99-RWHS-CSI-5-1.50-Matthew-Sampson-MGH-Candy-Girl.jpg?resize=1000%2C666&ssl=1″ alt class=”wp-image-173687″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024.05.04.99.99-RWHS-CSI-5-1.50-Matthew-Sampson-MGH-Candy-Girl.jpg?w=1000&ssl=1 1000w, https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024.05.04.99.99-RWHS-CSI-5-1.50-Matthew-Sampson-MGH-Candy-Girl.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024.05.04.99.99-RWHS-CSI-5-1.50-Matthew-Sampson-MGH-Candy-Girl.jpg?resize=150%2C100&ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/jumpernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024.05.04.99.99-RWHS-CSI-5-1.50-Matthew-Sampson-MGH-Candy-Girl.jpg?resize=768%2C511&ssl=1 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px” data-recalc-dims=”1″>
Windsor, England – May 04, 2024 – The second day of international Show Jumping got underway with 26 starters tackling Bernardo Costa Cabral’s (POR) technical 1.50m course in the €28,200 Defender Challenge Stakes CSI 5*. The competition consisted of two rounds, with the top ten going through to the jump-off. The first round proved difficult to master with only four horse and rider combinations going clear inside the time, meaning those with time penalties or a quick four faults also proceeded forward to jump the shortened course.
Going in reverse order of merit from the first round, it was Harry Charles (GBR) and the incredibly talented nine-year-old Bandit — who was making his 5* debut — who was first into the sunshine-bathed Castle Arena. With results from the first round being carried forward to the jump-off, Charles came into the second round with four penalty-points. The young British rider, who has become a stalwart of the British Championship teams, produced a quick clear round in a time of 33.38 seconds to put the pressure on the remaining competitors.
Charles’ round looked hard to beat, but it was Max Kühner (AUT) who only accrued one time penalty in the preceding round, who produced a smooth clear round to take the lead. Next into the arena was the first of those who were faultless in the first round, Laura Kraut (USA). The American once again proved herself to be one of the best riders in the world with a classy clear in the time of 33.70 seconds aboard Calgary Tame.
Only the second to last to go, Matthew Sampson (GBR), could keep the hope of the British crowd alive — and he did just that, shaving just 0.04 seconds off Kraut’s time with MGH Cany Girl. Last into the ring, the Dutch rider Harrie Smolders (NED) and Monaco N.O.P. could not match the speed set by Sampson, leaving the Brit to take the spoils.
Speaking on his win, Sampson exclaimed: “I am delighted with this win! MGH Candy Girl is great and she has a super character. She is only about 15.2hh, and so the jumps are nearly as big as her – she was incredible today. It is amazing to compete here, with this background and fans – it is what we all dream of, and now I am winning here it is unbelievable.”
Final Results – €28,200 Defender Challenge Stakes CSI 5*
1) Matthew Sampson (GBR) & MGH Candy Girl – 0 / 0 – 33.66
2) Laura Kraut (USA) & Calgary Tame – 0 / 0 – 33.70
3) Harrie Smolders (NED) & Monaco N.O.P. – 0 / 0 – 38.17
Source: Press Release (edited) by Nikki McEwen / Revolution World for Royal Windsor Horse Show
Photo: © RWHS / Peter Nixon
Related
Categories: CSI 5*, English, Jumper News Great Britain
