Brits Fly High on Wednesday at Olympia
Wednesday 18 December 2019
It was a great opening day for the Brits today at the CSI 5* Olympia, London International Horse Show with the Union Flag appearing in each of the presentation lines of the jumping classes.
Holly Smith with her own Flipper Darco UK Z, an 8 year-old bay gelding,secured herself a 300th of a second lead in this morning’s 1.40m Welcome Stakes to claim the victory ahead of fellow British rider Laura Renwick with her own and husband John’s 13 year-old Bingtang II whom she has produced and ridden since a youngster.
This afternoon, in the 1.55m Santa Stakes jump off class it was William Whitaker with Rushy Marsh Farm LLC’s 15 year-old chestnut stallion RMF Echo that was the highest placed Brit when he took 2nd place behind Darrah Kenny (IRL) on Important de Muze. William’s clear in a time of 34.45 seconds in the eleven strong jump off just wasn’t enough to catch Darragh’s of 33.70 however it was enough to edge Ben Maher with F One USA owned by Poden Farms into 3rd place with their time of 34.48 seconds. Holly Smith made her second appearance of the day in the line-up, this time in 4th place, on T J Hall Ltd’s 10 year-old bay Hearts Destiny.
The opening class this evening was the Musto Inside Edge Stakes, a 1.50m speed class. Won by Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Chica BZ with their time of 53.47 it was Guy Williams that sat close on their heels in 2nd place with the 12 year-old Cupido. Posting a time of 54.83 it was enough for him to relegate Holly Smith and the 11 year-old gelding Denver who is owned by Ian Dowie in 3rd place with their time of 55.29 seconds
The crowd pleasing Cayenne Puissance set the arena alight this evening when after five rounds of jumping and the wall, in the final round, standing at 7’2” saw William Whitaker take joint 1st with Michael Pender (IRL) having both jumped the wall clear. Guy Williams, with his Puissance stalwart Mr Blue Sky, took 3rd having nudged a brick from the wall in the 5th and final round.
For full results visit https://bit.ly/2Ma5vuX
For more information on the incredible Olympia, The London international Horse Show visit www.olympiahorseshow.com
