Michael Whitaker awarded as Grand Prix winner at Olympia, The London International Horse Show
Monday 21 December 2015
The Grand Prix at Olympia this evening saw Michael Whitaker and Viking V awarded as the winners following a disqualification of Bertram Allen and Quiet Easy.
Bertram, who had delivered an incredibly fast clear in 30.45 seconds, almost two seconds faster than Michael, was disqualified due to blood on his horse. An appeal was lodged against the disqualification which was further upheld by the Appeal Committee. The official statement in respect of this is detailed below.
Michael broke the finish line clear in a time of 32.05 seconds on Viking, the second fastest of the competition, and was shortly announced and presented as the winner after the end of the class. Ludger Beerbaum and Chiara took 2nd whilst Marcus Ehning and Gin Chin van het Lindenhof took 3rd.
Following the presentation of the Grand Prix, Ben Maher was brought forward and awarded the Leading Rider of the Show.
STATEMENT ON BERTRAM ALLEN
Following the Olympia Grand Prix CSI5* at Olympia, The London International Horse Show (GBR) on 21 December, 2015, Bertram Allen (IRL) was disqualified by the Ground Jury under Article 242.3.1 of the FEI Jumping Rules when the FEI Steward tasked with the mandatory post-competition boot and bandage control reported to the Ground Jury that Allen’s horse, Quiet Easy, had presented with blood on the offside (right) flank.
An appeal was lodged by Ms Mhairi Alexander who had been appointed by the Rider and Mrs E Phillips, the Owner, to speak on their behalf. The Appeal Committee heard from the Ground Jury, the FEI Steward and the appointed representative of the Rider.
The Appeal Committee upheld the decision of the Ground Jury that Bertram Allen was correctly disqualified from the competition.
The class was awarded to Michael Whitaker (GBR) and Viking.
Appeal Committee President Val Turner (GBR).