Mikey Pender and HHS Calais win the grand prix of Barcelona

Irish showjumper Mikey Pender conjured up a sensational jump-off efficiency to win the 1.60m grand prix of Barcelona on Friday evening (4 October).

Drawn closing in a nail-biting 12-way jump-off, the 25-year-old rider and his nice spouse HHS Calais (Cavalier Royale x Obos High quality 004) speeded up house just about a 2d sooner than chief Rolf-Goran Bengtsson (Zuccero HV) to raise this historical silverware and acquire the €99,000 best prize.

“Some days, when issues aren’t going your approach, it doesn’t fall as simply as that, but if it’s your day, it’s your day – it labored out completely,” Mikey Pender advised H&H. “I don’t suppose it’s going to totally sink in till day after today nevertheless it’s an excellent feeling.”

Mikey had earned his tremendous draw because the quickest of the 11 clears from spherical one and the huge-striding HHS Calais wolfed the monitor comfortably, removing strides the place his competitors couldn’t. Having made up time early on, the pair had earned some respiring house to take on the tough mid-way line of a vertical to double on a dog-leg earlier than powering house, saluting the gang in pleasure as he crossed the end line.

“I had my plan earlier than the jump-off however the vertical earlier than the double ended up being slightly the bogey – the joker fence within the magnificence virtually – so I made up our minds I’d do 9 strides to the closing fence as a substitute of 10 and take slightly extra time to the vertical, which might additionally make the double slightly more straightforward,” stated Mikey. “It labored out all the way down to a T.”

Appearing nice camaraderie, Mikey used to be assisted within the ultimate decider by way of his Irish team-mates in addition to chef d’equipe Michael Blake and it ended in an enormous win for this gifted 25-year-old, who provides his title to an illustrious checklist of previous winners.

“The men helped me make that plan and Calais used to be simply leaping unbelievable,” stated Mikey, the youngest winner of the Hickstead Derby in 2019. “Within the jump-off, he used to be so with me – the entirety I requested, he used to be looking ahead to me to inform him what to do subsequent.

“Calais jumped nice in Spruce Meadows closing month – he jumped double transparent within the Countries Cup there and Eire completed 2d, however he’s been knocking at the door of a grand prix all 12 months. He’s been having simply little issues and possibly I wasn’t driving neatly sufficient this 12 months, however during the last few weeks he’s come into shape and possibly I’ve given him slightly extra justice all over those previous few displays. He’s been good, I couldn’t ask for to any extent further.”

Mikey Pender receiving his prize for the grand prix of Barcelona driving HHS Calais.

Mikey Pender: a exceptional few weeks

Mikey Pender is on an absolute roll this present day, having landed the seven-year-old ultimate on the WBFSH Global Breeding Championships for Younger Horses driving HHS Mercedes a fortnight in the past, earlier than taking the eight-year-old name on the WBFSH Studbooks Leaping World Champions Trophy with HHS Cyprus closing weekend. His profitable adventure persevered in Barcelona with every other Bravo-Hughes-owned horse, HHS Calais, who used to be bred in Eire by way of Ita Brennan.

“I’ve had an excellent few weeks and it’s all because of everyone running exhausting at house and people who have given me this chance,” he stated. “With out them, days like those wouldn’t be conceivable – it’s simply no longer conceivable to be on the displays each week and now have the horses in such just right shape and that’s because of them, I will be able to’t thank them sufficient.

“It indubitably surprises you when it finally ends up as a success because it’s been those previous 3 weeks. We intention for the larger displays within the 12 months – it’s the place we wish to do neatly, that’s the place we wish the horses to be in shape.”

Only one 2d separated the highest 4 within the grand prix of Barcelona with Spanish rider Armando Trapote giving the house crowd lots to cheer about in 3rd on Twister VS, with Henrik von Eckermann fourth with King Edward.

Highest of the 2 British showjumpers in rivalry on the five-star CSIO Barcelona used to be Tim Gredley leaping a really perfect double transparent with Medoc De Toxandria for 6th.

“I’m so proud of what he did – he’s no longer a naturally rapid horse and I’m no longer a naturally fast rider, however we’re getting there!” stated Tim to H&H. “However he simply assists in keeping leaping transparent rounds. I will be able to’t take into account the closing time he had a fence down in a grand prix. Each time they put an enormous monitor up, he steps up. So I’m simply thrilled with him, so proud.”

Festival on the CSIO Barcelona continues on Saturday (5 October) with the Queen’s Cup because the characteristic magnificence, earlier than all eyes flip to the inaugural Longines League of Countries Ultimate on Sunday (6 October).

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H&H showjumping editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her function as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her world wide reporting from displays and interviewing riders, connections and the ones concerned in the back of the scenes. Since becoming a member of H&H from BBC Recreation in 2005, she has written on each matter around the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to solid control — and has interviewed gold medallists, international champions and winners galore. She additionally has first-hand revel in of running within the equestrian trade as a driving teacher and backyard supervisor.