This is from the Quainton website:
The sun shone on the first Quainton Stud Grand Prix as show jumpings elite descended on the Buckinghamshire venue to battle it out for the £22,000 prize fund. The show opened to a brake in the rain and brilliant sunshine showered the show ground. As other shows cancelled, the Quainton Stud were proud to put their outdoor surfaced arena into affect, which saw the countrys greats complete fantastic rounds on their top rides. Competitors included Nick Skelton on Russell, Geoff Billington on Cassabaccus, Michael Whitaker, Ellen Whitaker and William Funnell.
Geoff Luckett on Lynne Bevans Monline scooped the winners prize of £5,000 in the Grand Prix, but not before a thrilling jump off, which saw Ellen Whitaker, Ryan Prater, Paul Barker, William Funnell and Ben Maher fly around the excellent course and over the specially produced Quainton jump.
The Show Ground, designed by Peter Gillespie, Head of UK Show Jumping Development, stood up very well to the high class competition and riders commended Peter on the courses he designed and how well the show ground worked for them, many pleased with a rest from this years slippery, muddy arenas.
Horse and Country TV filmed the event and conducted interviews with winners, owners, show organisers and stud staff, so dont miss the behind the scenes documentary on channel 280 coming in the next few weeks.
The two days competition saw lots of exciting jumping rounds and on Grand Prix day there were over a thousand spectators sunning themselves on the spectator bank or enjoying the luxuries of the VIP pavilion.
The stallion parade on the Tuesday was a resounding success as this was the first time that many of the Quainton stallions were brought together for a parade, as four are currently standing in Germany at the State Stud and others are being competed by Ben Maher. Some of the Studs mares and foals were also displayed much to the crowds delight. Commentator Mike Tucker took the opportunity to explain to the audience a little more about the impressive stallions performing and the extensive work that Quainton Stud are doing to improve and expand the breeding lines of Britains sport horses.
The Stud tours, headed by Stud Manager Vanessa Wright, proved exceedingly popular with over two hundred visitors taking the opportunity to meet the Studs stallion stars, mares, young stock, recently born foals and see the extensive facilities.