Equestrianism: Grannusch's greatness

JOHN WHITAKER proved the most effective and stylish rider over yesterday's jump-off course for the Senator Jumping competition on the second day of the Royal Show. The course included several places where horses had to turn back into the fences, but Whitaker never lost his rhythm with Everest Grannusch who won with a fast clear round, writes Genevieve Murphy from Stoneleigh.

Marie Edgar was the only other rider to go clear in the seven-horse jump-off. She did not attempt to rush the good eight-year-old, Everest Aladdin, whom the Countess of Inchcape bought in Sweden last November. She was therefore delighted with the horse's performance.

Michael Whitaker, first to go on Monsanta, had been in a hurry. But his turn into the planks proved too tight and the horse made his only mistake when he stopped there, eventually finishing third.

John Whitaker will ride Gammon, not Milton, in the World Equestrian Games.