TALENTED showjumper Nigel Coupe has won the Blue Chip Grand Prix.

Coupe pipped Will Funnell to scoop the prize at the presitigious event which is simply called ‘brilliant’.

There were record entries for athe special, five-day extravaganza in the 24th year of the Blue Chip Winter Showjumping Championships, where dreams were won and lost in the Hartpury Arena.

With a final gallop down the arena to the last fence, the Salesbury-based showjumper Nigel Coupe secured the Blue Chip Grand Prix aboard Sue Simmons’ Irish-bred former working hunter 12 year-old bay gelding Golvers Hill.

“I wasn’t sure I was 100 per cent quick enough, but I’d watched Will Funnell on his early ride and going early on Jubilee (placed an eventual fourth) gave me a valuable insight,” said Coupe.

“The atmosphere was superb, the crowd are great here, and to beat a top rider like Will is brilliant.”

Running from October to March, eligible horse and rider combinations competed for the chance to qualify for the Blue Chip Showjumping Winter Championships at shows allocated all over the country.

For further information and results can be found by visiting www.bluechipchamps.co.uk.