Double world champion Lottie Fry once again wowed at The London International Horse Show, winning the World Cup Freestyle with Glamourdale on the second day of the show (16 December), following their victory the previous day in the Grand Prix.
The opening five-star jumping class of the show, the Ivy Stakes, was won by 2021 London International Horse Show leading rider, Harry Charles, with Ireland’s Trevor Breen taking the Christmas Pudding Speed Stakes. Meanwhile the Driving World Cup was won by Boyd Exell, another looking to reclaim his 2021 title.
‘He’s getting better all the time’
Credit: London International Horse Show
Great Britain’s double world championship winning combination, Lottie Fry and 11-year-old black stallion Glamourdale completed another double, winning the FEI Dressage World Cup Freestyle supported by Horse & Hound, to follow up on her Grand Prix victory last night. Their score of 90.995%, the best FEI World Cup score of the season so far, topped their Herning score of 90.354%.
“It was an amazing evening and to be able to end Glamourdale’s year competing here in London is just incredible,” said Lottie. “I didn’t actually realise it was the highest World Cup score so far, so that’s also really exciting. Lots of things felt better than in Herning; he has strengthened up so much and improved on many things. I am really happy with him.
“The second you enter the arena, the atmosphere is incredible and the audience tonight was amazing. They really got behind me and I think they loved it as much as I did! As soon as the music started it was so much fun. I really feel as though he is getting better all the time and I think we can keep improving which is just really exciting. I can’t wait for the next few years, Paris is the goal.”
Second went to Gareth Hughes, fellow British silver medal-winning world championship team member, who also scored a personal best aboard Classic Briolinca. The 16-year-old mare was competing at her first indoor show. Germany’s Ingrid Klimke took third with the 14-year-old bay stallion, Franziskus FRH, to move to the top of the FEI Dressage World Cup Western European League.
‘He’s a rocket across the ground’
Credit: London International Horse Show
The opening five-star jumping class, the Champagne-Taittinger Ivy Stakes, was won by Harry Charles, riding Billabong du Roumois. A total of 14 of the 34 starters jumped clear in the first round and Harry was first to go in the jump-off. He completed a quick clear in 30.60 seconds, putting the pressure on those to follow.
Ireland’s Connor Swail finished clear in a time of 32.26 seconds, while Jack Whitaker also produced a clear round in 33.15 seconds to go into third, leaving Harry to take the victory for the second year in a row. The World Number One Under 25 rider was already a winner at the Show following his victory in the Under 25 Championship.
“What a great feeling to come back here, after last year, to win yesterday and then to do it again today, it’s a dream start,” he said. “I’m lucky to have such a quick horse like him, he is a rocket across the ground, he’s now won two of his last three classes and was second in the other. It’s been a great start to the show, which gives me great confidence for the rest of the week.”
The Christmas Pudding Speed Stakes was won by Ireland’s Trevor Breen with Jicarla T on his debut at the Show.
“My mare, she’s only eight, owned by Old Lodge Stud, she jumped fantastic for me tonight, every question I asked her she answered, and I really couldn’t be happier with her,” he said. “It’s just fantastic to win at my first London International Horse Show in front of such brilliant crowd, I’m absolutely chuffed to bits.”
Earlier in the day, the Services Showjumping Championships sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Saddlers was claimed by debutante, ATpr Will Field, (AAC) and his own Graddus T. ATpr Field was also awarded the ‘Newcomers’ prize as the youngest in the field at the age of 18.
‘Like driving at home’
The first leg of the FEI Driving World Cup presented by Martin Collins Enterprises by Eurofip International was won by Boyd Exell, a regular winner at the Show. With the fastest three from the first round going through to the second phase, the drivers took on a shortened course where the Australian was over 12 seconds faster than the runner-up, Dutchman Koos de Ronde. Also, from The Netherlands, World Number 3 Bram Chardon, came in in third – meaning the top three were placed in the order their official FEI rankings.
“It was an interesting first round because I wanted to take the more challenging route,” said Boyd. “I am now planning for round two [on Saturday], which is the FEI World Cup qualifier. [The first leg is] all about securing the best placing for the running order, so now all the focus is on Saturday. For me competing at The London International Horse Show is like driving at home, I know a lot of people in the crowd, they all come and send messages, which adds to the pressure but I love being here, it’s one of my favourite shows.”
Lead image by London International Horse Show
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