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Northern Ireland's Peter Smyth and the giant Cavalier Rusticana produced a suitably colossal performance to win the Equestrian.com Liverpool International Horse Show puissance on Friday night.
The class, sponsored by Equitop Myoplast, provided a thrilling finale to Friday's action for a bumper crowd at Liverpool Echo Arena, as it reached a gripping conclusion.
Just two riders - Smyth and Ireland's Shane Breen, riding Gotti van Paemel - made it through to the fourth and final jump-off round, and after Breen collected four faults at the puissance wall, Smyth soared over the 7ft 1in (2.16-metre) wall on a horse that measures 18.1hh.
It was only Cavalier Rusticana's second puissance - the first one was just a month ago at Cavan International in Ireland, and he won that one as well.
Four combinations, meanwhile, shared third place after bowing out in round three - Denis Lynch (Garkus van het Indihof), James Smith (Tyson Uno), Christopher Megahey (Seapatrick Cruise Cavalier) and Anthony Condon (Hadine van't Zorgvliet).
Reflecting on the performance, Smyth said: "It really came together in the last round at the right time. Shane and myself had a chat before the last round, and we both wanted to give it a go.
"The horse was seventh in the Hickstead Derby last year, which was good, and he has won some good classes in Ireland.
"He won the Cavan International, jumping 2.15m, and his size certainly helps, but he is also supple and agile for a big horse."
Dutch rider Johnny Pals, meanwhile, enjoyed the perfect finale to a 16-hour day by claiming an outstanding victory in the 1.50 metre jump-off class, sponsored by Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer.
Pals left his home at Belgium at 4.45am on Friday, UK time, but he wasted little time in making the trip worthwhile, prevailing after a jump-off that saw six combinations make it through from round one, and he once again showcased the quality of 10-year-old bay gelding Fernando.
Their time of 34.72 seconds meant that Britain's Robert Bevis, riding Courtney Z, had to be content with second spot, more than a second clear of seasoned British Nations Cup campaigner Robert Smith, aboard Bavi.
"I left at 5.45am, drove to Amsterdam, then took a flight to Manchester, and then on to Liverpool," Pals said. "It is a super horse. I have had him for just over a year, and I really think he is my best horse ever.
"He is a bit difficult, still, but he can jump anything. He has been going well, and to win here is fantastic. This is my biggest win in England, without doubt."
Besides top-class showjumping, Liverpool's slick, eye-catching production incorporates scintillating performances from the ‘Bootleg Beatles,’ opera singers Bella Voci, theatrical stunt rider Clémence Faivre and the ever-popular Shetland Pony Grand National.
It's not to late to book tickets. E-tickets are available online, or can be bought on the gate at the Echo Arena up until the last performance on Sunday.
Image: Johnny Pals and Robert Smith being presented by Sponsors: Crabbies
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