News

Dutchman makes it a double

Dec 24, 2012

Marc Houtzager, who is fast becoming a crowd favourite at Olympia, The London International Horse Show, pulled off a notable double, adding victory in the H & M Ivy Stakes to his afternoon win in the Rolex World Cup qualifier.

The Dutch Olympic team silver medallist went as pathfinder in the evening class and didn't let the early draw inconvenience him, setting an unmatchable target of 34.15 seconds on Sterrehof's Uppity in the 10-horse jump-off.

"I was in a good mood," smiled Marc, who is bidding to be the first rider since Robert Smith to do the World Cup-Grand Prix double. He rides Sterrehof's Opium in the big class which will be the finale to the 2012 show.

The irrepressible Irishman Cian O'Connor gave it his vest shot, finishing just 0.7 seconds in arrears on Ishd Dual Star. Peter Charles, another to have a good day, came third on Murkas Nevada.

Another visitor from Continental Europe brought the crowd to their feet in the H & M Six Bar. Germany's Max Kuhner, along with Britain's Robert Whitaker, was determined to give the crowd the spectacle they deserved. The pair battled each other in a thrilling contest, in which the fences are raised each round for those riders who have remained faultess throughout the competition. Despite energetic support from the home supporters, Robert toppled the last fence with Waterstone leaving it open for Max to take the win outright. The Munich-based rider did not waste his opportunity and piloted Coeur de Lion accurate down the line of fences. The pin-drop silence was dramatically broken as he cleared the last fence and took the win.

THE H&M IVY STAKES Int. jumping competition with one jump-off (1.60 m) FEI – Art. 238.2.2
Pl. Horse Rider Faults Time
1. Sterrehof’s Uppity Houtzager, Marc NED 0/0 34.15
2. Ishd Dual Star O’Connor, Cian IRL 0/0 34.22
3. Murkas Nevada Charles, Peter GBR 0/0 34.88
4. Billy Angelo Funnell, William GBR 0/0 35.41
5. H&M Damgaardens Extens Fredricson, Peder SWE 0/0 35.77
6. Argento Whitaker, John GBR 0/0 35.83
7. Electra van T Roosakker Sprunger, Janika SUI 0/0 36.00
8. Cornetta Kühner, Max GER 0/0 36.64
9. Lacrimoso 3 HDC Delaveau, Patrice FRA 0/4 35.75
10. Powerplay Schwizer, Pius SUI 0/ret.

THE H&M SIX BARInt. six bar competition FEI – Art. 262.1&3
Pl. Horse Rider
1. Coeur de Lion Kühner, Max GER
2. Waterstone Whitaker, Robert GBR
3. Fresh Direct K2 Stockdale, Tim GBR
3. Kavanagh IV Renwick, Laura GBR
3. Dorada Gulliksen, Geir NOR

Press release: Katie Silver