Ehning is top rider at Olympia
The Olympia Grand Prix and the leading rider of the London International Horse Show award went to German rider Marcus Ehning, who produced a beautiful round with the 11-year-old stallion, Sandro Boy to snatch the class from Nick Skelton and Arko III.
Fourteen riders reached the jump off for the £13,330 first prize. Frenchman Philippe Rozier took an early lead but Nick Skelton was more than up to the challenge and took the lead with an incredibly tight turn to the penultimate fence. His time initially appeared unassailable but Ehning, riding from last draw, followed Nick’s line to claim the win by just 0.4sec.
Guy Williams left Olympia the delighted driver of Mitsubishi Shogun after winning the Mitsubishi Ride and Drive final. A great clear on Onyx V set him on his way before jumping into the 4×4 to beat Paul Barker and Temple Guess What, by almost 4sec.
The final day of competition saw Ellen Whitaker win her first class at the show, the Farewell Speed Stakes. The youngest rider in the show, she had the huge disadvantage of going very early, but none of her seniors were able to catch her and her uncle John, riding Lactic, had to settle for second place.
- Don’t miss Horse & Hound’s extensive reports covering all the action from Olympia in this week’s issue (23 December, ’04)
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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.