BRADFORD'S Richard Barton finished second in the Speedi-Beet Horse of the Year Grace C Championship qualifier at Bramham International Horse Show, defeating 53 rivals.

The only entrant to defeat Barton after his double clear on Donata – a seven-year-old grey mare owned by Gaye Hartley – was fellow West Yorkshire competitor William Whitaker, from Huddersfield.

Three qualifying places were up for grabs at the Horse of the Year Show at Birmingham's Genting Arena from October 7-11, and after round one 12 were still in with a chance of the 'golden ticket'.

Five produced double clears, so it was down to the clock to decide, and Whitaker, drawn last, clocked 44.87sec on Neil Fiddes’ seven-year-old chestnut gelding Dublin V.

Barton had held the lead for a large proportion of the class with their double clear in 46.04sec but were pipped at the post.

However, their round was good enough for a place in the top two.