Guy Williams has become the only rider to have won the London International Horse Show puissance five times, clearing 2.18m on Mr Blue Sky UK, the combination’s third London crown in a row.
The ExCeL was treated to a nail-biter of a competition as the 12 starters were whittled down to three in the final round. Guy and Caroline Phillips’ superstar 14-year-old, who has won nine international puissance with Guy, including four at London, were the first combination to go in round five, and they took on the wall as if it were three feet lower, and as if they could have cleared a foot higher.
Gemma Stevens had been “dreaming of nothing but puissance walls” for the last fortnight – but now she’s cleared one, she “can’t wait to have another go”. The world team gold medal-winning eventer jumped in the LeMieux puissance at the London International Horse Show (15 December), on Envoy Merelsnest Z, who she also jumped in the Hickstead Derby this year.
Gemma told H&H a fortnight ago that she was “terrified” at the thought of tackling her first puissance, but she and 10-year-old stallion “Dime Bar” sailed over the wall at 1.80m in the first round, then just clipped out a brick in round two.
Gemma Stevens riding Envoy Merelsnest Z during The LeMieux PUISSANCE at The London International Horse Show at ExCel in London on the 12 December 2023
(Image credit: LIHS / Peter Nixon)
3. John Whitaker shows youngsters how it’s done
The legendary John Whitaker showed the “young speed merchants” how it’s done to win the Santa Stakes – and said winning at the London International Horse Show never gets old. John and HH Prince Torki bin Mohammed Al Saud’s Sharid were the only combination to jump off clear in the 1.50m class, beating Scott Brash and Hello Mr President’s turbo-powered but four-fault round into second place.
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Sarah has worked at an equestrian journalist and editor since 2004 and has held the position of Horse & Hound Editor-in-Chief since 2014. She has reported for Horse & Hound from major championships including Europeans and World Equestrian Games. She has co-written books on horses and horse sport including The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. She has owned and ridden horses since 1993, and worked for and trained with Olympic gold medallist event rider Leslie Law prior to going to university. While studying for a BSc at London School of Economics Sarah also worked for top British dressage rider Louise Spate.
