News

World Cup at Olympia to Marc Houtzager

Dec 22, 2012

The course in London built by Louis Konickx counted 15 jumps including the red wall made as a bus, inherited from the Olympics this summer. The course finished off with a tricky line causing problems for many riders with an oxer out of the corner and then five or six strides down to the triple combination being the last fence. Out of 35 riders eight of them manage to solve Konickx challenges and went on to the jump-off.

Guy Williams made the crowds happy as the first to clear the first round with Titus (Lancelot x Rex Magna). They were thus also first to go in the jump-off, but already fence two fell as well as the red London bus.

The second clear round and the second rider out in the jump-off was also British. Peter Charles rode the talented ten year old mare Murka's Odie de Frevent (Urbain du Monnai x Jalisco B) which produced a very good first round. The two kept up their good performance in the jump-off with a clear round, but the time did not look fast enough to take home the win.

Sweden’s Malin Baryard-Johnsson and H&M Tornesch (Lux x Libero H) were next to go. Also Malin and Tornesch produced a beautiful first round and as well as a clear jump-off. The clock stopped at 36.63 seconds, 0,91 seconds faster than Peter.

The next rider to enter the arena was Marc Houtzager and Sterrehof's Tamino (Numero Uno x Farmer). The combination recently won the Gucci Grand Prix and proved that they are on great form. They gave the audience a fast clear round nearly two seconds faster than Malin at 34,67. Leaving the arena Marc did not look convinced that his round was fast enough though.

Gerco Schröder and London (Nabab de Reve x Chin Chin) were also qualified for the jump-off and once again fighting for a top result. London is not that fast a jump-off horse as he uses a bit more time in the air than some of the other horses. As Gerco tried to speed up to make up for this, two fences fell and they finally ended sixth.

Then there was time for one of the best combinations we have seen this year. In front of the home crowd Nick Skelton and Big Star (Quick Star x Nimmerdor) had a perfect first round and tried their very best to take Marc’s time in the jump-off. Nick had left the brakes by the entrance, but the London Bus came down and with the time 35, 57 they ended as number four.

Lucina Diniz and Lennox (Lifestyle x Grammus) also wanted to win and gave their all in the jump-off. Unfortunately also they had to see two fences fall on their way finally ending seventh.

Penelope Leprevost was the last rider to go with Nayana (Royal Feu x Narcos II). Penelope is known for her beautiful and fast rounds. Today fence number two was not playing on her side and Marc Houtzager could celebrate the perfect finish of a great year by taking a World Cup win in addition to Olympic silver and the Gucci Grand Prix to mention his biggest achievements this year.

At the prize giving Marc was obviously very happy with his horse and their successful year. He also admitted that he is a big ABBA fan, but he did not want to reveal to the audience which of the ABBA songs that is his favorite. Today we should think that would be “The winner takes it all!”

For full results go here.

Source World of Showjumping