Equestrianism: Whitaker's quick work to Virtual monopoly

JOHN WHITAKER and Virtual Village Heyman won their second international trial within the space of four days when finishing 0.07sec ahead of Robert Smith on Senator Scharne here yesterday. Di Lampard was a mere 0.01sec behind Smith in third place on Abbervail Dream.

Heyman, the Leading Show Jumper of the Year at Wembley last year, had already won the international trial at Oldcotes Show on Monday and the runner-up prize here on Wednesday before jumping his third double clear round of the week in yesterday's contest. Heyman is due to compete in his first Nations Cup this year, possibly at Hickstead.

The British selectors must have noted with pleasure that Damian Charles has some splendid new mounts. He jumped clear for the second day running with Denise Stamp's Amber Dumontau, finishing fourth on Wednesday and fifth yesterday with one jump-off error each time.

The nine-year-old mare had shown good form with Damian's uncle, the former European champion Peter Charles, on the Spanish Sunshine Tour and she has been in the money four times since the nephew teamed up with her last week.