Hickstead Derby-Sieger Und Leistungsstärkerer Erstling Teilen Olympia-Beute

Großbritanniens William Whitaker führte RMF Charly, der zum ersten Mal in der Macht stand, an zu einem tadellosen gemeinsamen Sieg bei der London International Horse Show, Olympia, und teilte die Beute mit Irlands Michael Pender und sein Hickstead-Derby-Sieger Hearton Du Bois Halleux.

Drei Kombinationen gingen die vollen fünf Runden, wobei die gemeinsamen Gewinner des letzten Jahres, Mr. Blue Sky UK und Guy Williams, auch den letzten Schnitt machten, wo die Big Wall 2 m 18 cm erreichte.

Alle drei Kombinationen waren durchweg fantastisch gesprungen, mit Caroline Phillips 10-jährigem Schimmelwallach und Guy wiederholt keuchte von der Menge, als sie die dreifachen Stangenfüße in jeder Runde freigaben.

Aber im letzten Showdown ließ der überschwängliche Sohn von Chacco Blue nur seine Zehen hinter sich, um einen Ziegelstein zu Fall zu bringen und die verbleibenden beiden Fahrer um den ersten Preis von £12,150 kämpfen zu lassen.

william and the 10-year-old rmf charly had been foot-perfect throughout, giving a masterclass in popping the wall from an easy rhythm. paul van den bosch’s hearton du bois halleux had also displayed the incredible scope that landed him victory at hickstead this summer.

in the final heat both looked even more settled, clearing the famous red bricks without a tap to secure their joint victory.

“i am delighted with him as it was his first one,” said william, who has partnered the holsteiner since he was bought by rushy marsh farms in florida at the beginning of this year.

“you can bring an extra horse for the puissance [when you are jumping the international classes] and we thought it would be a good experience for him to get in the ring in that atmosphere.

“he felt like he really settled into it. he’s a horse who has been a really good addition to the team as you can do a speed class or a grand prix - and now we know a puissance as well - and it’s well within his capabilities.”

in a year that has landed him firmly in the public consciousness, 21-year-old michael praised the incredible talents of his 12-year-old ride, who he said “does everything you ask and always wants to please you”.

“in the first round he was a little bit tense but after that he got better and better,” said the olympia first-timer, who has travelled from his home in south kildare for the cayenne puissance and six-bar this week. “the last two rounds were actually the best two, he felt fantastic and like he jumped it easily.

“every time you get on him you know there is no jump too big and no course too difficult and i’d like to thank his owner for giving me the opportunity to ride him.”

equal fourth place went to alfie bradstock and darragh magner’s h d’or, previous puissance victors at horse of the year show, and ireland’s nano healy with his own 12-year-old kms clinton. both made the fourth round but tipped a brick over the 7ft (2m15) wall.

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