In addition to the world-class international Show Jumping at The London International Horse Show, the next generation of national stars will also be taking centre stage at ExCeL London, from 15-19 December. National classes include the fast and furious 128cm Mini Stakes and 148cm Voltaire Design Mini Stakes, the prestigious Voltaire Design Under-25 British Championship and the famous Puissance.
The Voltaire Design Under-25 British Championship marks the start of competition at the Show on Thursday 15 December, and will showcase some of the best young riders in the country. London International Horse Show ambassador, Jodie Hall McAteer, will be hoping to defend her title and make it a hattrick, having won the last two editions of the class. Hall-McAteer has gone from strength to strength in 2022, representing Great Britain on numerous occasions, including in the FEI Nations Cup™ Final earlier this year. She will be joined by a host of Britain’s most exciting up-and-coming Show Jumping talent, including Joseph Stockdale, who was part of the bronze medal-winning team at the 2022 FEI World Championships, and who will be looking to go one better than his second-place finish in 2021.
Last year’s Leading Rider of the Show, Harry Charles, is another member of that FEI World Championship team to be challenging for the Voltaire Design Under-25 British Championship. The class will be a true family occasion for the Charles’, as his sisters, Scarlett and Sienna, have also qualified. Other notable entries include Lily Attwood, William Fletcher and Amy Inglis.
A pinnacle of this iconic Show is the LeMieux Puissance, which will conclude the action on the evening of Thursday 15 December. The LeMieux Puissance, which is aptly named after the French word for ‘Power’, is the ultimate demonstration of strength, precision and trust between horse and rider. All eyes will be on Guy Williams and the striking grey Mr Blue Sky UK. The duo have an exceptional record in Puissance classes and won the class at The London International Horse Show last year clearing an impressive 2.10m. Williams will have tough competition to retain his title, with numerous other top-class Puissance riders in the field, including last year’s runner-up Daniel Delsart (FRA). William Whitaker is one who has experienced the delight of winning this class in-front of his home crowd, and last won it in 2019. Ireland’s Commandant Geoff Curran will also be in attendance and full of confidence having won the Puissance at The Horse of Year Show earlier this year, whilst the runner-up of the same class, Mark Edwards will be hoping to claim this prestigious title.
The youngest competitors to take to the arena during the week will be those competing in the 128cm Mini Stakes. Agnes Kerr rides Taggarts Express and will be hoping to follow in her sister Cate’s footsteps who was victorious in the same class at The London International Horse Show last year. Another pony with a winning record at the Show is Lambay Off Broadway, who partnered Liala Ramaci to glory in the Mini-Major in 2019. The same combination line-up in the 128cm Mini Stakes in 2022 and are sure to put their experience to good use.
Both Ella Kay, with Red Alert III, and Taylie-Rae Owen, riding Hardwickview Yen Man, will come to London full of confidence following impressive victories at the British Showjumping National Championships in August. Another partnership to watch out for are Sophia Rogers and Whinney Lass, who won the Pony of the Year Winter 128cm Championship at Hickstead.
Heading the 148cm Voltaire Design Mini Stakes entries is Tabitha Kyle, the daughter of international Olympic Eventer Mark Kyle. The experienced young rider will be amongst the favourites to win, alongside Poppy Deakin and Armene du Costilg, who won the same Leading Pony Showjumper of the Year title this year. Kyle will also make her debut in the Voltaire Design Under-25 British Championship at the age of only 15-years-old.
Noora von Bülow with Elando Van De Roshoeve, who were crowned National 148cm Champions at the British Showjumping National Championships, will also be sure to put up a strong challenge. Ryan Phillip Perrett, riding Olympia VI, winners of the LeMieux JA Championship at the Pony of the Year Show earlier this year will be another tough combination to beat, as will Mia Newman and Oh Wow, who claimed the 148cm Championship at the Scope Festival of 2022.
