Wilm Vermeir riding Top Invest 313 Z, winners of CSI5*-W 1.50m The Ivy Stakes at London International Horse Show. Photo © London International Horse Show/Peter Nixon.
Edited press release from London International Horse Show
The opening CSI5*-W class of London International Horse Show was Wednesday's 1.50m Ivy Stakes, a two-phase competition counting for the Longines Rankings Group D, which featured many of the world’s best horses and riders. It was first to enter the impressive International Arena, world no.10, Julien Epaillard (FRA) and Easy Up de Grandry (Jarnac x For Pleasure) who set the pace with a double clear in the time of 27.03 seconds. However, his lead was quickly usurped by Mariano Martinez Bastida (ESP) and Origi van't Geyzeven (Thunder vd Zuuthoeve x Heureka). Wilm Vermeir’s (BEL) tight turn to the second-to-last oxer proved a worthwhile risk as he, partnered with the talented nine-year-old gelding Top Invest 313 Z (Thunder vd Zuuthoeve x Concorde), claimed the provisional top spot with 26 horses left to jump.
The crowd was delighted to see double clears from British riders Robert Whitaker and Tim Gredley; however, neither could match the time set by Vermeir. Despite the impressive standard in the class, with six of the Top 10 riders in the world competing, no-one could rival Vermeir’s performance, leaving the Belgian to take the victory, while Philipp Schulze Topphoff (GER) and Corny M (Connor x Cambridge) placed second and Bastida third.
Steve Guerdat and Looping Luna, winners of CSI5*-W 1.55m The Champagne Taittinger Mistletoe Speed Stakes at London International Horse Show. Photo © London International Horse Show/Peter Nixon.
Continuing with the speed theme, Joseph Stockdale (GBR) and Ebanking (Etoulon x VDL Sheraton) set the tone in the 1.55m Champagne Taittinger Mistletoe Speed Stakes, the second CSI5*-W class of the day – also counting for the Longines Rankings Group D. Entering the International Arena as first to go, the pair delivered a smooth and faultless round, establishing the initial benchmark.
However, it wasn’t long before London 2012 Olympic champion and Paris 2024 silver medallist Steve Guerdat (SUI) took the lead. True to his reputation, Guerdat produced an exceptionally fast clear round aboard his 10-year-old mare Looping Luna ( Lord Fauntleroy x Calido I). Their daring line between the third fence and the fourth triple combination proved too tight for any other combination to replicate, showcasing exceptional precision and skill.
Three-time FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final winner Marcus Ehning (GER) and DPS Revere (Hermes de Reve x Dobel's Cento) mounted a strong challenge, applying pressure on Guerdat but ultimately fell short by more than two seconds, finishing second.
The crowd was thrilled to see Raymond Brooks-Ward Memorial Trophy winner Oliver Fletcher (GBR) deliver a clear round with BP Pocahontas (Emilion x Pacino). Donald Whitaker also joined Fletcher and Stockdale as the only British riders to finish with clean scorecards. Despite their efforts, none of the British competitors were fast enough to Guerdat and Ehning, with third place going to London International Horse Show debutant Francesco Turturiello (ITA) and Palina Keeps ZL (Plot Blue x Chacco-Blue).
Reflecting on his win, Guerdat shared his enthusiasm: “I am really very happy. London International Horse Show is one of my favourite shows, and I love coming here every year. I had a really good round today – Looping Luna jumped exceptionally well, and it’s great to start the week like this.”
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