It was a speed duel between Swiss rider Beat Mandli with Celina, owned by Grant Road Partners, who had a fault free performance over the fences in a time of 58.75 and Irish rider Conor Swail and Cita, owned by Susan and Ariel Grange, who also jumped without penalty in a time of 58.79.  Mandi took first place over Swail by a margin of .04 seconds.

“She is only eight years old,” said Mandli.  “Grant Road Partners bought her one year ago now and she is a really nice horse.   She is hopefully going to be a grand prix horse.  I really like her, she is a nice mare.  We have been just playing with meter thirty meter thirty five with her. She is always in the ribbons. I went a little bit faster with her and she really plays the game.  To be honest I thought I did not ride so well.  We had a bit of misunderstanding to the red fence, then again to the next line, but she really helped me out.  I did not think I could win the class when I went because I had to repair a little bit.  She is a wonderful mare.”

Mandli and Celine, by virtue of this win, tied Swail and Cita for the Open Jumper Speed Championship and the Showday Farm Challenge Trophy.