Equestrianism: Whitaker takes opening honours

Michael Whitaker became the first victor at the Horse of the Year Show, which opened yesterday in its new venue at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, when he rode Alcina to win the Great Leighs Senior Newcomers Championship. The seven-year-old mare, who had qualified for just this one class, finished 2.64sec ahead of Titus Van Euvebreake, ridden by Guy Williams.

Alcina is a daughter of Handel II, one of the horses Whitaker will ride when the international classes get under way today. Anne Bedford, the owner and breeder of Alcina, had qualified the mare for yesterday's contest and was due to ride her in the championship until she had to go into hospital. Whitaker, who rates Alcina as a great prospect, first rode the mare a couple of weeks ago and will now keep the ride on her.

Two other experienced riders were among the prize winners with impressive young horses. Tim Stockdale finished fourth on Fresh Direct Ayra and Di Lampard filled eighth place on Witches Touch of Fleur de Lys. Both Stockdale and Lampard will ride the same two horses in tomorrow's Aon Six-Year-Old Championship.

The emergence of good young horses, notably Nick Skelton's mount Arko III and Robert Smith's Marius Claudius, who have both won grands prix this autumn, will give some encouragement for the future that had looked so gloomy after Britain's dismal 16th place at the World Equestrian Games.

HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW (NEC Birmingham): Great Leighs Senior Newcomers Championship: 1 Alcina (M Whitaker) clear, 35.53sec; 2 Titus Van Euvebreake (G Williams) clear, 38.17; 3 Flambeau (A Saywell) clear, 38.19.