It was the Spanish and Swedish riders that ruled at London International Horse Show on Thursday, as the five-star jumping got underway at the traditional Christmas event at Olympia.

Spain’s Eduardo Alvarez Aznar took the win in the 1.55m Santa Stakes, riding the 12-year-old gelding Fidux (Malito de Reve x Voltaire). The class saw ten pairs of the 31 horse-and-rider combinations clear the first round and join the jump-off, where Aznar clocked the winning time of 33,91 seconds.

Manuel Fernandez Saro (ESP) on the 13-year-old gelding Cannavaro (Cornet Obolensky x Florestan) took the runner-up position with a time of 34,07 seconds, while home hero Michael Whitaker (GBR) on the 11-year-old mare JB’s Hot Stuff (Locarno 62 x Cavalier Royale) was third with a time of 34,31. Alberto Zorzi (ITA) on the 13-year-old gelding Ego van Orti (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Darco) placed fourth with all fences intact in a time of 34,45 seconds, while the fifth spot went to the fifth double clear pair of the class – Olivier Robert (FRA) on the 10-year-old gelding Tempo de Paban (Jarnac x Quatar de Plape). 

The evening class offered entertainment to the crowds in form of the Musto Inside Edge Stakes, a 1.50m class against the clock. With 36 of the best horse-and-rider combinations in the world lined up, it was the current European Champion Peder Fredricson (SWE) on the 10-year-old gelding H&M Zaloubet (Maloubet de Pleville x Robin Z) that took home the top honours after stopping the clock on 51,75 seconds.

Fredricson's team mate Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE) on the 9-year-old H&M Second Chance got the closest to the winning pair and finished as runner-up with a time of 52,52. Much to the joy of the British audience, it was William Whitaker (GBR) on the 12-year-old Fento Chin S (Chin Chin x Carthago Z) that placed third with a time of 52,55 seconds, while his fellow country man Ben Maher (GBR) on the 9-year-old gelding Don Vito (Quaprice Z x Jus de Pomme) took the fourth place with a time of 53,57. The fifth spot went to Simon Delestre (FRA) on the 11-year-old gelding Gain Line (Stolzenberg x Raphael), after the always speedy pair crossed the finish line in 54,15 seconds. 

Text © World of Showjumping // Picture © Haide Westring