Team GBR showjumper Scott Brash won $50,000 as he topped the field at the Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix in front of more than 4,000 spectators.

Great Britain’s Scott Brash won the Grand Prix on Stanley Brash’s Intertoy Z, finishing ahead of Olympic gold medalist Eric Lamaze (CAN) on Derly Chin de Muze in second and Katherine Dinan (USA) on Vancouver in third.

Of the 50 entries to the class, 12 were clear to advance to the jump-off. Scott said: "The course was good. It wasn't overly big, but it is nice to not have to jump big every single weekend. Although it wasn't too big there were still not too many clear. Twelve clear was good, and the jump-off was good. It caught a lot of people. It was a good class."

Scott was the third rider to record a clear round, after Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) on Cantano (42.16 seconds) and Andrew Bourns (IRL) on Roundthorn Madious (42.50 seconds).

26-year-old Scott has partnered 13-year-old Intertoy Z since he was a 5-year-old and already has a wealth of international experience.

Another leading GB showjumping rider and horse to excel at the Wellington Equestrian Festival is Warwickshire’s Nick Skelton. Nick took second place on Unique XVIII in Sunday’s 1.50m Suncast Jumper Classic. The pair jumped two clear rounds in a time of 38.03, just pipped at the post by France’s Marie Hecart.

Last week we reported on how many of Team GBR’s Olympic hopefuls were taking part in the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington as part of their preparations for the 2012 Olympic games.

As well as Scott Brash and Nick Skelton, Ben Maher, Tina Fletcher, David McPherson, Gemma Paternoster and Scott Smith will also travel to Florida.

UK Sport’s Director of Performance, Peter Keen added: “The best possible preparation is crucial to our Olympic and Paralympic sports ahead of the home Games this summer and the financial backing UK Sport is able to provide would not be possible without investment from The National Lottery, Government and the private sector through Team 2012.

“Facilitating unique opportunities like this for riders could prove key to their success this year. We hope to see recent excellent results continue and wish the selected riders all the best of luck in Florida and for 2012.”

Source: British Showjumping

Photo: Grand Prix at the Wellington Winter Equestrian Festival 2008 by Julia Rubinic