Equestrianism: Whitaker flies in to take the prize

JOHN WHITAKER returned from Bremen in time to win last night's Nissan Grand Prix, the final show jumping contest of the Horse of the Year Show. He defeated Paul Sutton on Wessex Zakatak and Belgium's Philippe Lejeune on Ruby Foulards Blue Chip.

This was Whitaker's second consecutive win in the Wembley contest with Everest Grannusch, also his mount when winning the Calgary Grand Prix three weeks ago.

Whitaker had left Wembley at 6am yesterday morning - with his brother Michael, and Nick Skelton - to take a private plane to Germany for Paul Schockemohle's show in Bremen.

They will return to Bremen today for the second part of the German Classic, in which Skelton is one of five sharing the lead after jumping two clear rounds on Everest Dollar Girl. John Whitaker is close behind on Gammon, whose only mistake came in the first round.

Tim Stockdale won a Nissan car worth pounds 14,000, which was the richest prize on offer at Wembley, when he rode and drove at breakneck speed yesterday. 'The biggest prize-in-kind I've ever won before was a fridge - and that was about 10 years ago,' Stockdale said.

Although far removed from classical show jumping, the Nissan Jump and Drive provided the audience with some of the best fun that they have had at Wembley. Competitors were required to jump seven fences, leap from the horse while the groom grabbed its reins, get into the car and drive an obstacle course between the cones.

In the morning's qualifying contest, Stockdale had collided with his groom, Sue Green, after leaping from the back of Toggi Interview. 'Then I ran into the boards, because my hat was down over my eyes,' he said. 'So I knew I could do better in the final.'

Third of the 12 finalists to start, Stockdale could not bear to watch those who followed. He was kept in touch by the reaction of the crowds as the others chased his time in vain. Peter Murphy, who was one second slower, took the runner-up prize on Rubies and Diamonds.

HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW (Wembley Arena): Nissan Terrano II. Jump and Drive: 1 Toggi Interview (T Stockdale, GB) 59.79sec; 2 Rubies and Diamonds (P Murphy, GB) 60.79; 3 Clover (J Renwick, GB) 61.95. International Speed and Power: 1 Lusius (E Gundel, Ger) clear, 25.99sec; 2 Photofinish (B Goodin, NZ) clear, 31.37; 3 Dun Equity ((K Shore, GB) 3 faults, 32.17. Osborne Refrigeration Riding Horse of the Year: 1 Madame Victoria (J Webber); 2 JCB (A Bamford); 3 Kyleakin (E Stubbs). Freestyle Dressage to Music (Volvo World Cup qualifier): 1 Olympic Cocktail (A van Grunsven, Neth) 78.0pts; 2 Bo (S Rothenberger, Neth) 76.9; 3 Virtu (E Faurie, GB) 74.9. Leading Show Jumper of the Year: 1 Everest Midnight Madness (M Whitaker, GB) clear, 26.48secs; 2 Bowriver Queen (J Fisher, GB) clear, 27.25; 3 Endeavour (A Bradley, GB) clear, 27.67. Nissan Grand Prix: 1 Everest Grannusch (J Whitaker, GB) clear, 34.06; 2 Wessex Zakatak (P Sutton, GB ) clear, 35.31; 3 Ruby Foulards Blue Chip (P Lejeune, Bel) clear, 35.58. Daily Mail Spillers Pony Club Mounted Games: 1 Eglinton, 128pts; 2 Essex South, 119; 3= Llangeinor and Minchinhampton, 104.