Michael Whitaker Closes 2007 Royal Horse Show With a Win

Great Britain's Michael Whitaker won the $75,000 Ricoh Big Ben International Challenge to close the 2007 Royal Horse Show. The 10-day international equestrian competition was part of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, celebrating its 85th anniversary, held from November 2-11 in Toronto, ON.

>From the starting field of 24 international show jumping athletes, nine managed to jump clear over the huge track set by course designer Michel Vaillancourt. As only the second rider to return for the jump-off, Whitaker took an unexpected turn to fence number 15, surprising the audience as well as the course designer who had never imagined the route was possible.

"I never even thought about that turn," said Vaillancourt, who earned rave reviews all week for his creative designs. "That was really crafty! And he did it to the biggest jump on the course set at 1.60m."

None who followed Whitaker into the Ricoh Coliseum dared to attempt the turn, although defending champion Mario Deslauriers came thrillingly close to catching Whitaker's time, stopping the clock at 38.89 seconds compared to Whitaker's 38.86.

"He's not the fastest horse and I was early to go, so I needed to do something," said the four-time British Olympian of his strategy riding Mozart des Hayettes, an 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion. "I am often second with him, and I thought I had to take a chance."

Whitaker's daring move netted him $24,750 in prize money while Deslauriers of Bromont, QC, had to settle for second this year riding Paradigm, his Belgian-bred gelding.

The only other rider to post a double clear round was American Laura Kraut riding Cedric but her time of 39.47 seconds was off the winning pace. Norway's Geir Gulliksen left the rails up in the jump-off with L'Espoir 7 but incurred faults for exceeding the time allowed.

'Captain Canada' Ian Millar of Perth, ON, dominated throughout The Royal Horse Show and was named both Leading Canadian Rider and Leading International Rider.

In total, $745,000 in prize money was offered during the2007 Royal Horse Show making it one of the richest equestrian events in the world. For more information on The Royal Horse Show and The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit www.royalfair.org.

$75,000 Ricoh Big Ben International Challenge - Final Standings

Rider Hometown Horse Faults Time

1. Michael Whitaker Great Britain Mozart des Hayettes 0:0 38.86
2. Mario Deslauriers Bromont, QC Paradigm 0:0 38.89
3. Laura Kraut United States Cedric 0:0 39.47
4. Geir Gulliksen Norway L'Espoir 7 0:3 47.45
5. Lauren Hough United States Casadora 0:4 40.24
6. Amy Millar Perth, ON Costa Rica Z 0:4 41.36
7. Ian Millar Perth, ON Redefin 0:8 39.90
8. Kim Farlinger Annan, ON Cordoba 0:8 41.23
9. Frankie Chesler-Ortiz Orangeville, ON Ranville 0:10 46.27