Equestrianism: Bowman at a trot: Windsor awash

THE FINAL obstacle phase of the Harrods International Driving Grand Prix was all that remained of yesterday's programme for the Royal Windsor Horse Show. All the other events - and those of Saturday evening - were cancelled after relentless rain had left the ground waterlogged.

Even the driving had to move to private ground, owned by the Duke of Edinburgh, to which the public were not admitted. Few people, therefore, had the chance to watch the phenomenal George Bowman win the horse teams section for the eighth time.

Philippa Gammell, runner- up to Edwin Flerackers last year, reversed placings with the same Belgian driver to win the section for pony teams.

The Duke of Edinburgh had been out of contention with the Queen's team of Fell ponies, having been tipped out of his vehicle when it came perilously close to overturning on Saturday's marathon. He nevertheless moved up one place to finish eighth yesterday.

Peter Charles will be grateful that Saturday's Toyota British Horsemaster could take place, albeit in torrential rain. He collected pounds 3,300 and a Toyota Carina (worth more than pounds 13,000) for winning this contest in which the four qualifiers rode their own and each other's horses. Marie Edgar had jumped five clear rounds, the last of them in a fast jump- off time, only for Charles to defeat her by 1.07sec. John Whitaker was third, with four faults in the first four rounds. Tim Stockdale was fourth, with seven faults.

ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW: Harrods International Driving Grand Prix: Horse Teams: 1 G Bowman (GB) 150.2 penalties; 2 H de Ruijter (Neth) 169.1; 3 G Knell (Ger) 176.1. Pony Teams: 1 P Gammell (GB) 149.7; 2 E Flerackers (Bel) 153.1; 3 D Kneifel (Ger) 164.4. Toyota British Horsemaster: 1 P Charles (Irl), clear in jump-off, 38.36sec; 2 M Edgar (GB) clear, 39.43; 3 J Whitaker (GB) 4 faults in 1st 4 rounds.