The Longines Christmas Cracker, a 1.50m jump-off class, saw 13 of the 25 starters go through to a second round against the clock. First to go over the shortened course was Britain’s Scott Brash, riding Hello Folie, who laid down the gauntlet to those who followed, setting a time to beat of 33.84 seconds.
Ireland’s Daniel Coyle – winner of the London Grand Prix in 2023 – soon took over the lead, taking over three seconds off Brash’s time. Many of those who followed tried in vain to catch the World No. 12 from Ireland. Crowd favourite Ben Maher came close, as did Robert Whitaker and last night’s London Grand Prix winner Mariano Martinez Bastida. World No. 9 Martin Fuchs had the crowd on the edge of their seats, leaving no stones unturned, however despite a faster time than Coyle, four faults at the last fence left Fuchs out of the placings.
It was left to Britain’s reigning Young Rider Individual European Champion, Oliver Fletcher, as last to go to shake up the placings. However, he too accrued four faults at the final Longines oxer, leaving Coyle to take the victory ahead of Maher and Whitaker in second and third respectively.
A jubilant Coyle said: “This Show last year was so fast and so much fun, all my friends and family are here, so I really want to do well, and I really enjoyed tonight.”
Talking about his horse, Incredible, Coyle continued: “I haven’t even had him a year yet, so I’m still getting to know him, but he won a FEI World Cup™ Qualifier almost immediately after I got him, he’s done some Nations Cups™ this year, but it will be this time next year before I know everything about him and I’m trying to learn as much as I can, whilst doing this at this level, which isn’t easy, but he’s a good horse.”
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s FEI Jumping World Cup™ Qualifier, Coyle said: “I was third last year – I went as fast as I could but Scott and Ben still beat me, so I’m going to try to change that tomorrow. I really enjoyed it last year and it really drove me on for the Grand Prix, it made me more hungry. Similarly this year, I won tonight, but I’m still hungry for tomorrow!”
