The Anglo European Studbook hosted a well-attended stallion Grading and BSJA stallion jumping show at Addington Manor EC on 21st and 22nd April. The show began with the loose-jumping and grading of 3 year olds with breeding lines such as Concorde, Vechta and Dex performing, culminating with Katherine James' stallion Veni-Vidi-Vici being chosen as the judges' most favourite stallion to take home with them! That afternoon launched the start of some thrilling jumping classes with John Whitaker winning both first and second place on Winstone VHL and Tazmania in the 1m Open. The 1.40m Open Speed class was absolutely thrilling with Tim Stockdale's awesome lightening fast round - having only decided to enter at the last minute on the fabulous Drossage (by Drossan ex Goldessa by Renkum Stud's Lauriston) Tim flew round the course and with the crowd on the edge of their seats went clear until the last. This left talented Ben Maher with a win on the stunning Approved stallion Utah Van Erpekom

The second day dawned with expectation for a great day of jumping and a nervous wait for the grading results. The closely contended World Class Stallions 4 year old Championship was jointly won by William Funnell on Billy Congo and Kevin Cooper on Navardo - this led to both stallions being graded as Licensed. An additional prize was the World Class Stallions sponsored Superstar 4 year old which the stallion Utah (by Concorde) won and was presented by a super gold embossed WCS rug. World Class Stallions aim to make this Championship an annual competition for young stallions entering into UK sport horse breeding.

The VDL Stud 5 Year Old Championship was a great battle between two young stars of the future - Max Routledge on Typhoon S and Ryan Prater on Je T'aime Flamenco (now Licensed) - after a fast and furious jump off Max Routledge just beat Ryan Prater to take a well deserved first place. And to further thrill the crowd Ryan Prater then went on to win the 6 Year Old Team Nijhof Championship, earning his mount Whiskers a grading as Licensed. The penultimate 1.30m Open was also ever so closely contended between Guy Williams on Caretino Glory (Brendon Stud) and Charles Baker on The Megabyte (by Concorde), ending with Guy riding a great jump off to win the class by a split second class leaving The Megabyte in second place.

And if the crowd thought it was all over, the Anglo European Studbook Grand Prix had everyone in awe as the top riders battled it out to the end. With just 7 through to the jump off, the girls Emma Shaw and Jessica Bergstrom certainly gave the boys a run for their money with excellent, fast rounds. But it was to be Guy Williams on Unbelievable Darco (by Darco) in first place with John Whitaker taking second on Ublesco and Philip Spivey third on Romanov II. And a special mention to John Whitaker who at the last minute rode Renkum Stud's Give Me Remus - considering he had only sat on him for 5 minutes before the Grand Prix a double clear won him a great fourth place!

After a great show the Anglo European Studbook would like to announce the following grading results, for further information please contact the AES on 01444 484840.

NAME-OWNER-RIDER-GRADE
Cirano-Brendon Stud, Sussex-Loose Jumping-Licensed
Cloud Nine-Pat Ruck & John Brake, Ponderosa Farm & Stud-Loose Jumping-Registered
Veni-Vidi-Vici-Katherine James, St James Stables-Loose Jumping-Licensed
Bally De Beclo-Brendon Stud, Sussex-Loose Jumping-Registered
Billy Congo-D Barnwell-William Funnell-Licensed
Navardo-Kevin Cooper, Pembers Hill Stud Farm-Kevin Cooper-Licensed
Univeau-D & P Cornish, Greenacres-Sarah Lidsey-Licensed
Utah-Mr G Salem, Greenacres-Sarah Lidsey-Licensed-World Class Stallions 4 Yr Old Champion
Tazmania III-John Whitaker-John Whitaker-Licensed
Time Out-M Mrs T Lewis-Ben Maher-Licensed
Wild Mega-Charles Baker-Charles Baker-Licensed
Winstone VHL-John Whitaker-John Whitaker-Registered
Rockland-Mrs P Carlsson & Mr J Greve-Susie Rawding-Approved
Jamaraki-Sue Bradshaw-Sue Bradshaw-Licensed
Whiskers-Greenacres Stud-Ryan Prater-Licensed
Mr Majestic-Beech House Stud-Derek Morton-Approved
Draiocht Dubh-Corrigan & Castless-Ronan Corrigan-Licensed
Larchin Gii-Gustavii Stud-Jessica Bergstrom-Approved
Temple Urgent-Temple Stud-John Egmore-Licensed
Temple Tamability-Temple Stud John Egmore-Licensed
Je T'aime Flamenco-Greenacres Stud-Ryan Prater-Licensed