NEW STARS TAKE THE REINS AT LONDON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW

Thursday, once again delivered a packed programme of sport and entertainment. The highlight of the day came from The London Grand Prix, brilliantly won by Mariano Martinez Bastida and Jup. Earlier in the day, The Christmas Tree Speed Stakes saw Darragh Kenny claim the top spot and the first leg of the FEI Driving World Cup™ Qualifier was won by Dries Degrieck.

Meanwhile, in the New Horizon Plastics London Arena, showing action included two championships: the Rising Star Cob Type Championship and the Rising Star Hack Type Championship. The LeMieux Masterclasses also continued, with today’s session, the ‘Grassroots to Glory Masterclass’, featuring Olympic gold medallist Laura Collett and equestrian influencer Megan Elphick.

A new name and nation

The pinnacle class of the day, The London Grand Prix, saw 35 of the world’s best horse and rider combinations go head-to-head for the €110,000 prize fund. Bernardo Costa Cabral’s masterfully designed course created challenges throughout, with several leading contenders – including the likes of World No. 2 Steve Guerdat – picking up faults at the imposing triple bar at fence three.

It was not until last year’s winning duo, Daniel Coyle and Legacy, as thirteenth to go, that a clear round was posted. World No. 1, Henrik von Eckermann, made sure of a jump-off with Illiana, closely followed by Denmark’s Andreas Schou and Mariano Martinez Bastida from Spain. World No. 9 Martin Fuchs and last to go, Katharina Rhomberg made it a total of six riders to go through to the second round to compete for the prestigious London Grand Prix title.

First to contest the shortened course against the clock was defending champion Coyle. The Irishman set out meaning business, giving every effort to retain his title, but picked up four faults on the way. Von Eckermann, representing Sweden, showed why he has retained the World No. 1 position for 29 successive months posting the first double clear and setting a time to beat of 37.97 seconds.

Martinez Bastida put on an impressive performance aboard the 10-year-old gelding Jup to take over the lead almost a second faster than von Eckermann. Switzerland’s Fuchs came close with another beautifully ridden round, but his time of 37.63 seconds was only enough for provisional second. Last into the arena, Rhomberg wasn’t able to match the precision and pace set by Martinez Bastida, leaving him to become the first ever Spanish rider to win the London Grand Prix.

A delighted Martinez Bastida said: “It’s incredible, it’s the first 5* Grand Prix that I have won and to win it in a place that is so emblematic of the sport and as historic as London – I’m extremely happy. It’s the most important win of my career so far!”

Talking about his tactics going into the jump-off, he continued: “I have lots of experience with my horse – I have had him for two years – so bearing in mind there were not many in the jump off, I knew that we had the speed and ability to win, and a big stride to make up time between the fences. I knew it was either give it my all, or not at all, so I gave it my all!”

Kenny tops the tree

Earlier in the day, the Christmas Tree Speed Stakes – the final speed class of the Show – showcased some of the most exciting riders in the sport. Only the 10 best from the initial round would proceed to the jump-off, so competitors needed to keep an eye on the clock as well as jump clear. By the halfway point, only four partnerships had produced a faultless round, leaving those with a quick four faults anxiously waiting to see if they had done enough. However, another six combinations, including the uncle-and-nephew duo of John and Donald Whitaker, mastered the 12-combination course.

Riders returned in reverse order of merit from the first round, meaning Julien Epaillard – World No. 10 and one of the fastest in the sport – was first into the arena. However, four faults at the Champagne Taittinger oxer kept him out of the top placings. Next to jump, Darragh Kenny, with the long-striding gelding Chaccossini, set the pressure on the remaining combinations with a time of 33.13 seconds. None of the remaining riders could match Kenny’s pace; however, Donald Whitaker came closest to Kenny’s time to claim second place, with last year’s class winner Lorenzo de Luca taking third. John Whitaker and Ben Maher rounded out the top five, taking fourth and fifth places, respectively.

Speaking after the class, Kenny said: “I was quite worried I wasn’t going to make it into the second round as I hadn’t done the turn to the last line that most people did, and that left me quite slow, so in the second round I thought I’d better do the opposite! He has a huge stride, so I could do one less in the first line, one less across the middle, which nobody else was able to do, and one less to the last – he’s very careful and he’s very brave, so you can rely on him.”

On Chaccossini, Kenny continued: “This is my second show with him – I took him to one CSI2* show where he won the ranking class and then I brought him here. He’s a really cool horse, he’s fun, he’s easy to ride, he’s not complicated at all, so I’m really enjoying him.”

Dries drives his way to glory

In the first of two FEI Driving World Cup™ legs presented by Karen and Hugh Scott-Barrett at this year’s London International Horse Show, Belgium’s Dries Degrieck claimed a thrilling victory, edging out former winner Boyd Exell, who has held the World No. 1 position for an impressive 37 months. Both drivers delivered masterful rounds in the International Arena, each accumulating eight faults. However, it was Degrieck’s daring precision – especially during the tight turn between the bridge and the next obstacle – that secured him the win by 0.11 seconds. Isjbrand Chardon of the Netherlands completed the podium in third place. With today’s results determining the starting order for tomorrow’s competition, these three are firmly in contention for the top honors.

Speaking after his win, Degrieck said; “I am really happy with my horses today, they all performed incredibly well. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect – one of my horses was leading for the first time in this competition, and it was quite a technical course, but they all coped brilliantly. I’m really enjoying this season, but you have to stay focused as the other competitors are getting stronger and stronger too. I am developing a deeper connection with my horses and learning how best to steer them, which has been key to my success this year. The crowd here at London International is amazing – they truly love Driving sport and cheer us on with so much enthusiasm.”

Skelton races ahead

The Markel Jockeys Jumping class takes place in support of the Injured Jockeys Fund, an invaluable resource for the racing industry. Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, the Injured Jockeys Fund provides much-needed assistance to injured jockeys and their families.

This entertaining class featured two teams of five jockeys — a mix of Flat and National Hunt racing stars — swapping the racecourse for the Show Jumping ring under the bright lights of the prestigious International Arena. The teams were captained by none other than 20-time champion National Hunt jockey Sir Anthony ‘AP’ McCoy and the British Champion National Hunt Jockey (2021-22) Harry Skelton. Joining McCoy was Harry Cobden, Joanna Mason, Nico de Boinville and Gina Andrews, with Sam Twiston-Davies, James Bowen, Lilly Pinchen and Brian Hughes on Skelton’s team.

The jockeys faced three-second time penalties for every fence knocked down, raising the stakes in this fast-paced contest. At the final fence, the jockeys had a choice: attempt the Joker jump after completing their round where a successful clear would subtract four seconds from their time, while failure added a four-second penalty.

In a closely fought battle, and after some impressive performances, Skelton’s team reigned supreme, claiming the top spot by 19.36 seconds. This was despite the opposing team coach, Pippa Funnell, raising the final Markel Joker fence to put Skelton’s show jumping skills to the test.

Super services jumping

Gnr Charlotte Pudge RA emerged victorious in the highly anticipated Services Show Jumping Final. The competition, a highlight of the military equestrian competition, brought together the best of the UK Armed Forces and the UK Police.

In a thrilling finale, Gnr Pudge and Cassinaro Dreamer delivered a faultless round to secure them the coveted win, earning them a well-deserved spot in the annals of military Show Jumping history. For another consecutive year the Army has held onto the Services Showjumping Champion title.

“I am absolutely overjoyed with this result,” said Gnr Pudge. “This competition has been an incredible challenge, and I couldn’t be prouder of Dreamer. The crowd here in London has been amazing, and the atmosphere at the show is like no other. It’s an honour to take home the victory at such a prestigious event.”

Flt Lt Michelle Randall RAF took second place aboard her horse Isonieta, while SSgt Louise Hoyle AWS and her horse B’Dior Papillon secured third.

Championship showing continues

The New Horizon Plastics London Arena hosted two Championships today: the Rising Star Cob Type Championship and the Rising Star Hack Type Championship. The Rising Star Cob Type Championship was won by Zoe Hyslop riding Knockboy, a striking palomino affectionately known as “Blondie” at home. Hyslop made an eight-hour journey from Scotland to compete, and her efforts were rewarded with an excellent Show. Speaking after her victory, Hyslop shared: “I feel amazing. He really deserved this. He’s a top horse and such a big part of the family, so it’s lovely to be crowned Champion here today.”

Among the inspiring stories in the Rising Star Cob Type Championship was that of Kay Gillam and her horse Victor 1. Gillam’s journey to the London International seemed almost impossible at times. Victor, together with Gillam since a three-year-old, suffered a broken leg at five, casting doubts on his future in Showing. Gillam also faced her own challenges, working tirelessly to regain fitness and be able to run the in-hand part of the Show herself. Thanks to the New Horizon Plastics London Arena’s Stewards allowing her to change into trainers for the running part of her Show, Gillam achieved her goal, winning the Rising Star Heavyweight Cob class and qualifying for the Championship.

In the Rising Star Hack Type Championship, Nicola Soltermann claimed the top spot with Stanleygrange Nobility, while Kara Roylance and Small Land Skylight were named Reserve Champions. Soltermann, who has owned her remarkable horse since he was a three-year-old, expressed her delight after the win; “I’m really pleased. All the hard work has been worth it.”

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