Melissa Garry led an exciting race to the line to open day three of the TheraPlate UK Liverpool International Horse Show with a stylish victory.
Little more than a second separated the top four finishers in the John Deere at Turner Groundscare 1.25m amateur speed class.
Melissa, from Westerham in Kent, guided Hotesse home in a time of 48.38 seconds, edging out runners-up Tracy Holder and Crispina Z by just 29 hundredths of a second.
Ireland’s Carol Gee was the early leader, but she had to settle for third on Fernhill Clooney, with Eleanor Hall Mcateer taking fourth aboard Crisanta.
Morning action at the M&S Bank Arena then continued with the Clipmyhorse.TV amateur 1.15m speed competition.
And it witnessed a dominant display by Elah Conway and 11-year-old mare Acapella as they made the most of a late draw to take the class with time to spare.
And in doing so, the Barnet rider thwarted Cheshire-based Grace Wallace’s bid for a second victory in 24 hours.
Their time of 56.02 seconds proved well clear of the field, with Grace, who won Sunday’s 1.25m amateur competition, taking second aboard Ecarentina.
Elizabeth Cunningham and Fabienne C were third, clocking 58.96 seconds, with Denmark’s Nadia Affi finishing fourth on Damiro Vd Dresseling.
