Michael Whitaker & JB’s Hot Stuff Win Universidad Alfonso x EL Sabio Trophy at Madrid CSI5*-W

Michael Whitaker & JB’s Hot Stuff. Ph. ©Thomas Reiner Photography

Madrid Horse Week has been action-packed during its first two days, with a full slate of equestrian competition—from vaulting to jump & drive competition—taking place.

But the main attraction of CSI5*-W international show jumping kicked off on Friday, and it was Great Britain’s Michael Whitaker who headlined the feature class of the day, the Universidad Alfonso x EL Sabio Trophy 1.55m.

The stands went crazy with the course made by the last riders in the order of 45. Whitaker, from one of the most famous lineages in the equestrian world, made a spectacular course that gave him 1st place riding Jb’s Hot Stuff, in a spectacular time of 52.84 seconds.

He ousted Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann, who finished second riding Chacanno. Third was Ludger Beerbaum of Germany, considered one of the best riders in the history of equestrian jumping, riding Chiara in a time of 56.43 seconds.

The only Spaniard who managed to sneak into Saturday’s competition was Julio Arias, who finished ninth riding Lennox Luis.

On Saturday, November 25, 2017 at 9:00 pm local time, the Mutua Madrileña – Longines FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI5*-W will begin, where all the qualified riders will give their best to win in what is the most important event of this fifth edition of Madrid Horse Week, and an equally important chance to earn World Cup Qualifying points in the Western European League.