Also among the highlights of the week was the legendary fancy dress class, in which showjumpers and eventers came together to produce a hilarious performance drawing on the best British pantomime humour.
Dick Whittington & The Cat Snow White & The Queen Hook and Peter Pan Mother Goose & Goose Ugly Sisters
Cinderella & Prince Charming Aladdin & Azerbanana
Harry Charles / Matt Sampson Laura Collett / Tom McEwen Austin O'Conner / Gemma Stevens Shane Breen / Duarte Seabra
John Whitaker / Robert Whitaker Jo Stockdale / Jodie Hall McAteer Tim Gredley / Lily Attwood
competitors in THE FANCY DRESS RELAY during The London International Horse Show at ExCel in London between 13-18th December 2023
Dick Whittington & The Cat Harry Charles / Matt Sampson
(Image credit: LIHS / Peter Nixon)
While the pairs class was won by Dick Whittington and his cat (aka Harry Charles and Matt Sampson), the Ugly Sisters John and Robert Whitaker, both sporting huge fetching pink wigs and Robert’s dress featuring a pair of hands clasping his bosom, proved a crowd favourite.
“It didn’t take long to get me looking like an Ugly Sister,” quipped John.
Congratulations to Julie Pennell, whose home-bred Dales stallion Nipna Midnight Rambler, ridden by Sarah Parker, took the 2023 BSPS M&M ridden supreme championship sponsored by New Horizon Plastics at the 2023 London International Horse Show. He narrowly pipped fellow Dales stallion Griseburn Major, owned by Joe Watson and Rob McIvor and piloted by Joe, to the title.
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The show also hosted the BSPS performance showing championship and the British Show Horse Association Rising Star finals for the first time, giving a new host of showing riders the chance to compete at the event. In addition, the popular Senior Showing and Dressage Ltd finals saw Britain’s top veterans crowned in both ridden and in-hand classes. Congratulations to all the winners and their connections. What a way to finish the year!
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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.
