Equestrianism: Popely's oblique line ends Whitaker's run

John Popely put a temporary halt to Robert Whitaker's remarkable run of success when he rode Luidam to win yesterday's Grand Prix at the Ridgewood International Show here. This was the second show on the Golden Jubilee Tour, which began last week at the Royal Show, where Whitaker won the Grand Prix on Lord Liberty.

John Whitaker's 19-year-old son had looked all set for another victory, having ridden a fast clear round in the jump-off on the small bay mare, Karina. But Popely, just back from a nine-month stay in America, where he won the Culpepper Grand Prix in Virginia on Luidam, was determined to make an impact now that he is back home. Jumping several fences on an oblique angle, he managed to slice 3.47sec off Whitaker's time for a convincing victory.

Luidam, a nine-year-old Dutch-bred stallion, won the Foxhunter Championship at the Horse of the Year Show in 1999. Popely will ride the chestnut in the third part of the Jubilee Tour at Great Leighs in Essex next week while he is building up to his main objective – the King George V Gold Cup at Hickstead on 27 July.

Until Popely made his whirlwind challenge, the Whitaker stable had looked in line for the top two places. Paul Barker, who has returned to the Yorkshire yard, ended in third place on Blue Chip Quinton. Both Whitaker and Barker had won classes here on Saturday.