In the second and final round of the seventh leg of the Western European League of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series, which took place today - Saturday 22nd May - just eight riders of a field of 35 were through with clear rounds.
The assembled spectators at the London International Horse Show at Olympia were on the edge of their seats, and the jump-off course was short and sharp. There were seven jumping efforts, including a tricky vertical-to-oxer double on a long two strides, and a long gallop from the London bus fence (left over from the Olympics) to a final, wide oxer.
Corner cutting and time shaving
While round one was more about negotiating uprights cleanly, round two gave the riders the opportunity for some corner cutting and time-shaving.
First to go, Guy Williams riding Titus for Britain, had a long wait for the clock to start at beginning of his round, and went on to set a fast time of 38.28, but with an unfortunate eight penalties.
Next up, Britain’s Peter Charles riding Murka’s Odie de Frevent (pictured below, photo credit: FEI) took some wide, careful turns where he had the luxury, taking some riskier, quicker turns as the round progressed, and really galloping for home to go clear on 37.54. “The course wasn’t overly technical but there were some very big jumps,” Peter commented.
Sweden’s Malin Baryard-Johnsson, riding H&M Tornesch 104, looked slower than Peter, but ate up the ground in a beautiful round to score 36.63 and go into the lead. Wearing a striking green jacket, she made up time by making turns mid-air, and set a seemingly unbeatable time.
The Netherland’s Marc Houtzager riding Sterrehof’s Tamino was her nemesis however, and riskily jumped the first fence on an acute angle to get quickly to the second obstacle, the FEI fence, and then sharply cut the corner and cantered extremely fast to the London bus fence to score 34.67 – this took Marc into the lead with four riders to go, and two seconds faster than his nearest rival to boot.
Some disappointing knock-downs
Gerco Schroder riding London for the Netherlands, and Portugal’s Luciana Diniz riding Lennox unfortunately gained eight penalties, while Nick Skelton riding Big Star for Britain, and France’s Penelope Leprevost, riding Nayana, gained four. “The courses in here were tight and close to the audience – it was a big ask for Big Star as he’s still green indoors,” Nick commented.
These results left Marc comfortably in the lead, and he took the first prize with time in hand - he is pictured below receiving his trophy (photo credit: FEI). The Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series, which consists of riders from 16 leagues from all continents, concludes at the 2012/13 final, which takes place in Gothenburg, Sweden next April. The defending champion is America’s Rich Fellers, riding Flexible.
Well done to all of the contenders, who helped make this exciting Olympia class a memorable and exciting experience.
The top five placings in tonight’s Olympia World Cup leg were -
1. Marc Houtzager, NED, Sterrehof's Tamino - 34.67 sec
2. Malin Baryard-Johnsson, SWE, H&M Tornesch - 36.63 sec
3. Peter Charles, GBR, Murka's Odie de Frevent, 37.54 sec
4. Nick Skelton, GBR, Big Star, 4 penalties, 35.57 sec
5. Penelope Leprevost, FRA, Nayana, 4 penalties, 36.16 sec
