After nearly a week of top sport, it was the 115,000 Euro Turkish Airlines Olympia Grand Prix that closed off the CSI5*-W event in London and it was Alberto Zorzi (ITA) on Contanga (Catoki x Contango) that took home the top honours.
32 of the best horse-and-rider combinations in the world lined up for the challenge set by the course designer duo Guilherme Jorge (BRA) and Bob Ellis (GBR). Twelve pairs cleared their way over the 1.60m course that counted 13 obstacles and 16 efforts, and joined the jump-off over a shortened, eight fence track.
Riding the 13-year-old mare Contanga, Zorzi clocked an unbelievable time of 34,05 seconds, pushing Harrie Smolders (NED) on the 13-year-old gelding Zinius (Nabab de Reve x Kannan) down to a second place finish.
Smolders, who stopped the clocks on 34,24 seconds, had only a few moments earlier taken the lead with the narrowest of margins from Michael Whitaker (GBR) who aboard the 11-year-old mare JB's Hot Stuff (Locarno 62 x Cavalier Royale) had to settle for the third spot with a time of 34,30.
Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) on the 9-year-old mare Dana Blue (Mr.Blue x Hemmingway) placed fourth with a 36,11 seconds, and the fifth spot went to the impressive new pair consisting of Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) on the 9-year-old gelding Inca Boy van T'Vianahof (Diamant de Semilly x Cash) – who left all the fences intact and finished the jump-off in a time of 40,24.
"I think she is the best horse in the world, very scopey, very special. The feeling over a fence is amazing. This is an amazing indoor show. I love the Christmas atmosphere and am so happy to be here,” said Zorzi after his win.
Text © World of Showjumping // Photo © Haide Westring