National classes concluded at Horse of the Year Show on Sunday morning with Douglas Duffin and Omex Star HBF taking victory in the Grade C Championship.
First contested in 1973, the Grade C boasts an impressive list of former winners including Nick Skelton, Tina Fletcher, William Funnell and Billy Twomey.
And its latest edition did not disappoint as Douglas became the third Scottish rider to win a showjumping class at HOYS this week after Samantha Wiseman and James Smith.
Seven combinations made it through to the jump-off, including puissance joint-winner Rachel Proudley, and it was Douglas, who finished third in Thursday’s Foxhunter Championship, that came out on top in a time of 32.73 seconds.
He had a winning margin of 81 hundredths of a second over runner-up Angie Thompson, riding Dawn Lancer, while the podium places were completed by William Rekert and Dougie Drea.
“There were two options to take strides out in the jump-off, and as my horse has a big stride I thought I would use that to my advantage,” said Douglas, who is from Clackmannanshire.
“Going forward, I would say she is going to be ready for some grand prix classes, maybe some three-star ranking classes, so hopefully she can keep moving up and maybe jump five-star one day.”
Reflecting on a memorable week for Scottish showjumping, Douglas added: “Sammy and her horse were exceptional to win the Foxhunter, and James Smith is a prolific winner. The Scottish riders just seem to dig deep and up their game for big shows.
“The Scottish pony riders were also placed in a lot of their classes. so it is making sure the riding is at a high level, training well and pushing on for those big shows.”
ENDS
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Horse of the Year Show Press Office, Grandstand Media Ltd.
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Image: 1st Class Images