London International Horse Show jumping off to a super start

London horse show jumping, winner Martin Fuchs — Martin Fuchs (SUI) riding The Sinner during The Santa Stakes (Class 03) at The London International Horse Show at the ExCel London in the UK, on the 16th December 2021

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Martin Fuchs got off to an amazing start in the London International Horse Show jumping by taking the first two classes of the event.

The 2021 European Championships individual silver and team gold medallist took the first class, the 1.50m Santa Stakes, on The Sinner, barely a tenth of a second faster than Germany’s Max Kuhner on EIC Coriolis Des Isles, then the 1.45m Christmas Pudding Speed Stakes on Tam Tam Du Valon, just over a fifth of a second faster than Ben Maher on Ginger-Blue.

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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.

Speedy rider opens London horse show with superb double

“It’s an amazing start really, it’s so nice to win two classes at the London ‘Olympia’ horse show,” said Martin, who was early to go in a class bristling with speedy riders.

“I knew my horse Tam Tam is very fast so I thought I’d give it a go; I wanted to put pressure on my colleagues. And it worked out really well.”

Martin praised Guilherme Jorge’s track, with its “nice turns and lines”, adding that the stride he took out after the combination was about the only place that could be done, but said things got tense near the end.

“Ben [Maher] was really quick and last to go but I was just a little bit faster,” he said. “I was watching the others, especially Guy Williams, Emanuele Gaudiano and Ben, I was watching very closely!”

Martin said the 14-year-old Ogrion Des Champs x Quidam De Revel gelding “always does his job”, and the plan is to jump him in the 1.50m class on Sunday, and Monday’s speed class.

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