Scott Brash was victorious in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup at The London International Horse Show (18 December).
Thirty eight starters from 14 different nations went head-to-head as they vied for points to qualify for the Final in Omaha in April 2023. Portuguese course designer, Bernardo Costa Cabral, described the 13 fence track as the “perfect recipe” for a testing but achievable first round.
Just seven combinations made it through to the second round. First to go clear in the jump-off was Maikel van der Vleuten from The Netherlands. The 2013 winner secured a double clear in a time of 41.21 seconds. Britain’s Scott Brash – the 2016 winner – took out a stride to the final Longines oxer to take his place at the top of the leaderboard. The class winner from 2014, Daniel Deusser finished 0.05 seconds behind Scott.
World Number 1 Henrik von Eckermann from Sweden had four faults at the last so could only finish fifth. 22-year-old British rider Jodie Hall McAteer was last to go. The former double Voltaire Design Under 25 British Champion was clear and took third – a career personal best.
“Hello Jefferson is fantastic,” said Scott. “I know how careful he is and I can trust him to ride him fast at the last fence, it actually makes him focus more. It meant I could take a chance to the last and make up a bit of time I lost between one to two. I was tight back to the second from last, he tends to fall in left a bit, but I managed to be tight and he jumped the vertical well, made me land a touch shorter so the eight strides to the last was a touch more forward that the others.
“I thought it was a tricky course, quite twisty to start with. There were some tall verticals there so it was delicate. I thought the course designer has done a fantastic job in there today, when fences fall all over the course and not just in one area that’s a sign of a very good course and seven clears is spot on.”
Daniel reflected on the class.
“Of course I would have liked to win, but I’m not disappointed,” he said. “My horse jumped fantastic with two nice clear rounds today. When I saw Scott, I knew his horse was naturally faster than mine, so I had to leave a few strides out here and there, which worked out very nicely. If I’d have been a little more forward after the last I could have done it. In the end I would have loved to win but I’m really happy with my second place this afternoon.
An emotional Jodie added: “It was absolutely unbelievable out there this afternoon. I’ve grown up coming to The London International Horse Show every year since I was 10-years-old and to come back this year and come third, it’s a dream come true.
“The atmosphere was amazing, it was electric. I did not think that I was fast enough or that my time was as close to Scott’s. Obviously it is hard to tell whilst you are focusing on your performance and are in the zone. As I was coming down the last line, I did hear the crowd screaming which made me think that there was a possibility of me achieving it and I came close. My horse performed amazingly and I am very proud of him.”
Joide thanked her team for all their support.
“I have been training with Ben Schröder for two years so far,” she said. “He has been an amazing help to my development, I have really progressed thanks to him. I owe so much to everyone that has been supporting me so far including my family, grooms, the Schröders and Scott Brash too, who has helped me along the way. There is an amazing support team behind me. I am definitely planning on coming back to the London International Horse Show as I need to claim the win now!”
Lead image by The London International Horse Show
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