There was a brilliant British one-two in the Longines FEI World Cup at the London International Horse Show at Olympia, with Scott Brash (Hello M’Lady) just ousting his team-mate Ben Maher (Diva II) for the top honours on Sunday (18 December).
“It was a very exciting jump-off and it’s great to get a win here in London – there’s no better feeling than jumping in front of your home crowd,” said Scott, who faced 12 rivals against the clock.
The 10-year-old Indoctro mare Hello M’Lady can really motor round the tight turns and Scott was up on the clock ahead of the final run to the vast Longines oxer to finish, stopping the clock clear in 38.73sec, just 0.12sec faster than previous leader Ben on the 11-year-old British-bred mare Diva II.
“Ben did a very quick round,” relayed Scott. “But M’Lady is quick and sharp and I know if I get my turns right she can beat everyone.”
Scott was presented with a Longines watch and collected 38,750euro for his win.
Ben, who won the grand prix here on Diva II in 2014, was thrilled with the mare’s performance.
“She tends to love this show,” he said.
There were five double clears and taking the third spot on the podium was Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts (H&M Harley VD Bisschop), 27 years after his father won this class here on Darco.
“It was a good moment to have a good result here,” said Nicola.
Laura Kraut finished fourth for USA with the exciting Zeremonie — on what should be a very exciting evening for her and her partner Nick Skelton at the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year — and John Whitaker (Ornellaia) added to the British haul in fifth.
Don’t miss the full report from the London International Horse Show at Olympia in next week’s issue of Horse & Hound, out Thursday 22 December.
