Eleven combinations would clear the first-round track. Skelton and the 8-year-old KWPN stallion Big Star (Quick Star x Nimmerdor) cleared the jump-off in 40.985 seconds, a blazing time that beat second place finisher McLain Ward on Esplanade, by more than two seconds.
Skelton did not see Ward’s jump-off ride. “He told me he wasn’t very fast, but knowing him I didn’t believe him,” Skelton joked. “I’ve never seen him not go fast! I thought I’d go nice, but every time I turned I had a good distance. He’s a fast horse anyway. I think I got it into that double (combination). I had an unbelievable shot to it and I think it got sent from above. It was perfect. I didn’t think I was almost three seconds faster.”
This is the second big win for Big Star, who also claimed victory the $40,000 Grand Prix in week two. Skelton won another Suncast 1.50m classic in week one.“He’s a freak of a horse for eight years old,” Skelton said of his mount. “You have to remember how old he is and not get carried away. He’s still got to get the experience, but he’s a great jumper. He has everything: scope, the mind, unbelievable talent. I’m very lucky to have him.”
Final Results: $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic
1 BIG STAR NICK SKELTON BEVERLY AND GARY WIDDOWSON: 0/0/40.985
2 ESPLANADE 7 MCLAIN WARD LOUISBURG FARM: 0/0/43.131
3 BABBE VAN’T ROOSAKKER MARIE HECART HARAS DE LA ROGUE: 0/0/43.314
4 PALDATUS SALVADOR ONATE SALVADOR ONATE: 0/0/51.337
5 MADEMOISELLE BEEZIE MADDEN ABIGAIL WEXNER: 0/4/41.378
6 LIPTON DE L”OTHAIN PETER WYLDE WINDWARD FARM & JESSICA SIUDA: 0/4/42.130
7 SECRET ANDRES RODRIGUEZ ANDRES RODRIGUEZ: 0/4/43.268
8 OLMIFON D’AS LAURA KRAUT HAPPY HILL FARM: 0/4/45.228
9 OSIRIS GEMMA PATERNOSTER GEMMA PATERNOSTER: 0/4/52.312
10 DOMINO MCLAIN WARD BLUE CHIP BLOODSTOCK: 0/8/41.978
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