THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW DAILY REPORT - Thursday 16 December 2021

MR BLUE SKY UK SHINES ON A NEW ERA FOR THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW

Charlotte Dujardin started the 2021 edition of The London International Horse Show in style, with victory in the FEI Dressage World CupTM Grand Prix aboard her Olympic double bronze medal-winning ride, Gio. The Afternoon Performance saw an increase in pace, with the Extreme Driving supported by Karen and Hugh Scott-Barrett won by Jerome Voutaz, and the first CSI5* Show Jumping competition of the Show - The Santa Stakes - which saw World No. 4 Martin Fuchs take the spoils.

The famous Puissance wall took centre stage at ExCeL London for the Evening Performance, with Guy Williams jumping 2.10m to win. There was a second victory for Fuchs in The Christmas Pudding Stakes. In addition to the return of annual favourites The Shetland Pony Grand National and the Kennel Club Dog Agility, there were performances by The Musical Ride of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, horse whisperer Santi Serra, and the presentation of the Raymond Brooks-Ward Memorial Trophy to talented young rider Lottie Fry.

CHARLOTTE SHINES IN LONDON

Great Britain’s Gareth Hughes took an early lead in the FEI Dressage World CupTM Grand Prix, scoring 69.605 in the new shortened test. Compatriot Richard Davison was the first to surpass the 70% mark, scoring 71.526% aboard his 15-year-old homebred gelding Bubblingh. However his lead was short-lived, as he was followed into the arena by Britain’s joint most decorated female Olympian, Charlotte Dujardin. Dujardin, riding her 2020 Tokyo Olympic mount, Gio, set the arena alight, trending at over 80% for much of the test and setting a new personal best score of 82.553%

Dujardin’s Tokyo Olympic teammate, Lottie Fry, riding her 2019 European Championship partner, was the next to pose a challenge. However a score of 74.52% - which went into second place at the time - was only good enough for eventual fourth in such hot competition. The final two to go, Nanna Skodborg Merrald from Denmark and Frederic Wandres from Germany came closest to Dujardin’s outstanding mark to finish third and second respectively.
“I was absolutely over the moon with Gio today,” said Dujardin, “This is his first indoor show, he has only really done the Olympics and Europeans this year, so he had to up his game very quickly to go into that huge indoor arena. He took it in his stride, he went out there and did the test, I didn’t feel like I had to hold his hand through it at all. He really delivered, which made me unbelievably happy.”
Of the Show’s new venue, she continued: “This is a super Show, an incredible venue, they’ve done an incredible job.”

FUCHS ON FLYING FORM

The CSI5* Show Jumping got underway with The Santa Stakes, a 1.50m jump-off class, which was won by World No. 4, Martin Fuchs, from Switzerland, riding The Sinner. The combination picked up where they left off at the Show, returning to London following their win in the FEI Jumping World CupTM in 2019.

12 combinations made it through with a clear first round, setting up for a scintillating jump-off against the clock, and in the end just 0.11 seconds separated the top three. Germany’s Christian Ahlmann took an early lead, setting an impressive target for those who followed, however Fuchs, full of confidence following victory in the Grand Prix at CHI Geneva last weekend, put on a masterful display to take the lead at the midway point. With just three remaining, Max Kühner gave his all to put Fuchs’ lead in jeopardy, but his time of 32.93 was 0.09 seconds slower, going into second place, with Ahlmann in eventual third.

Fuchs commented: “This is a perfect start to the London International Horse Show with a win in the big class. The Sinner loves to come to London and really enjoys this Show, when he went in the ring I could feel he wanted to do his best and he loves performing here, and so do I!”

Fuchs' winning streak continued as he made it two from two on the opening day of the Show with victory in The Christmas Pudding Speed Stakes. Drawn fourth of 34 starters, Fuchs laid down the gauntlet, making all the turns and keeping his foot on the gas throughout to post a time to beat of 53.34 seconds. Those who followed were unable to match his pace and accuracy. Great Britain’s Guy Williams, notorious for his speed against the clock, put in a valiant effort to post a time of 54.82, finishing fourth, and France’s Olivier Robert also came close with a time of 54.48. Last to go, Britain’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic Champion Ben Maher had the sell-out crowd on their feet with an explosive gallop to the last, but despite his best efforts he could only go into second.

Speaking after the class, Fuchs said: “I knew my horse would be very fast, so I thought I would give it go and try to put as much pressure on the rest of riders as possible. It was very tight at the end as Ben was quick but I was happy to stay on top. The atmosphere here is amazing, performing in front a full crowd is so cool and the facilities here are amazing for the horses, I am really enjoying the Show so far.”

The LeMieux Puissance provided a fitting conclusion to the opening day of the Show. The famous red wall was raised to 2.10m in the fourth round, a height that could only be cleared by Guy Williams riding Mr Blue Sky UK. The combination, who were joint winners of the same class at the 2018 Show, were up against three other challengers in the fourth round, but Williams and Mr Blue Sky UK - who have an exceptional Puissance record - came out on top as the only pair to jump the wall without fault. Equal second was shared between French riders Mathieu Billot and Daniel Delsart, who both finished on four faults in the fourth round.

A delighted Williams said: "He jumped so well tonight, he is such a good Puissance horse and so reliable. I know him really well - I have had him since he was four, so it is great to win here again with him. The atmosphere was so good in the arena, I could hear people cheering for us but I was trying to focus on my job and what was in front of us. My plan is to jump him in the FEI Jumping World Cup™ on Sunday as he’s feeling good, but will see how we go over the next couple of days."

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Charlotte Dujardin reflects on her victorious day one performance aboard Tokyo Olympic bronze medal-winning mount Gio at The London International Horse Show.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Jessica Clarehugh’s Avonwolf Beanies Dizzy Dora en route to victory in the The Kennel Club Agility Stakes ABC Dog Agility Final supported by Skinners.

The London International Horse Show today announced its TV broadcast and online streaming schedule which will be seen by both national and international audiences. High worldwide viewing demand is anticipated for the popular Christmas Show which continues to be the most watched indoor equestrian event in the UK.

Show Director, Simon-Brooks Ward said: “We are delighted to confirm that the BBC will continue to broadcast  the show and we are very pleased to have signed a new multi-year agreement with them.  Over our 49 years, the BBC coverage has provided a very important platform for both the London International Horse Show and equestrian sport as a whole “

“We are also very pleased to be able to offer our international audiences more coverage than ever before through FEI TV and our new streaming partnership with Horse & Country TV. “

“This year’s competition is shaping up to be better than ever and the increased opportunity to view the London International Horse Show will allow fans from around the world to follow their Olympic stars, including Ben Maher and Charlotte Dujardin,  in our new home at ExCeL London.”

Live Coverage

In the UK the BBC will be showing over 16 hours of live coverage on BBC Two and on their BBC digital platforms including the red button.  The coverage includes The Lemieux Puissance on the evening of Thursday 16^th December, the FEI Dressage World Cup™ (Freestyle) on Friday 17^th December, all of the Saturday evening programme which includes the FEI Driving World Cup™, The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ on Sunday 19^th December and all of the evening programme, including the London International Grand Prix, on Monday 20^th December.

In the UK H&C+ subscribers will be able to view all classes and entertainment not broadcast by the BBC.

For those wanting to watch live from outside the UK:

All FEI World Cup Classes can be viewed internationally on FEI TV.

Horse & Country TV subscribers to H&C+ worldwide will be able to view all classes and content with the exception of the FEI World Cup classes.

Post-Show Coverage

All BBC programmes will be available on BBC iPlayer.

Horse & Country TV will have London International Horse Show classes and entertainment available for its H&C+ subscribers.

FULL LIST OF PROGRAMMES AND WHERE YOU CAN SEE THEM

The London International Horse Show 2021 TV Broadcast and Streaming Timetable

Great Britain’s Olympic individual champion, Ben Maher MBE, heads an illustrious list of international Show Jumping entries for the London International Horse Show 2021. The confirmed line-up will facilitate five days of world-class competition at ExCeL London from 16 – 20 December, adding to an already stellar schedule of competitive action and spectacular international displays.

Maher, currently ranked No. 8 in the world, will be seeking to crown an exceptional year with success at the London International, but will face stiff competition from the world’s best riders. His London 2012 Olympic gold medal-winning teammate Scott Brash MBE, also part of the GB team in Tokyo, will be hot on his heels, as the World No. 5 seeks to recapture the prestigious London International Horse Show Grand Prix title which he claimed in 2019.

Also representing Team GB in Tokyo were Harry Charles and Holly Smith, who will both head to ExCeL full of confidence following successful autumn campaigns, which included being part of the team to win the Challenge Cup at the FEI Nations CupTM Final in Barcelona. Their teammates that day, Emily Moffit and John Whitaker, always a crowd favourite, will also line-up in London.

Guy Williams and Laura Renwick, notorious for their speed against the clock, will be sure to have the home crowd on their feet throughout the five days of action, as will William Funnell who will be looking to recreate the form which lead him to victory at the 2019 Show. Young rider Jack Whitaker, son of multiple London International Horse Show winner, Michael, is also amongst the strong British contingent taking part.

Their international counterparts will be mounting a strong challenge, led by World No. 4, Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs, who will be looking to repeat his 2019 success, which saw him crowned champion of the London leg of the FEI Jumping World CupTM. Compatriot, Steve Guerdat, the current World No. 8, will be returning to the city where he was crowned individual Olympic champion in 2012, following an excellent year, which included being part of the Swiss 2021 European Championship gold medal-winning team alongside Fuchs.

The Irish riders, Denis Lynch, Shane Breen and Michael Duffy, will be ones to watch and will be hoping the luck of the Irish is with them in London. From Austria will be Max Kühner, who will look to go one better than his second-place finish in the FEI Jumping World CupTM at the 2019 Show, with Christian Ahlmann and Marcus Ehning from Germany bringing further quality to the distinguished line-up.

Belgium will be sending a strong team, including Niels Bruynseels, Gregory Wathelet and Pieter Devos, as will France, led by World No. 11 Kevin Staut. Compatriot, Mathieu Billot, fresh from an outstanding Puissance win at CSI4* Rouen last weekend, will be looking to make it a double when he takes on the famous Puissance wall on the opening night of The London International Horse Show.

A complete list of entries, also including Gier Gulliksen, who will be flying the flag for Norway, and World No. 13 Harrie Smolders representing the Netherlands, can be found here.

Simon Brooks-Ward, Show Director, said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming some of the world’s best show jumpers to our new home at ExCeL London. The facilities at the venue are second-to-none, setting the scene for an outstanding five days of competition and we can’t wait for it to get going.”

Media accreditation is now open, and applications close on Monday 6 December. To apply, please click here.

Ben Maher MBE and his Olympic gold medal-winning partner, Explosion W, have been confirmed to be part of the celebratory parade hosted by The London International Horse Show, taking place from 16-20 December 2021. The parade, which will take place during the afternoon performance on Friday 17 December, will feature many of Great Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic equestrian heroes, providing fans with an opportunity to celebrate their exceptional performances in Tokyo. Maher and Explosion W will also be making an appearance as part of the evening performance on Saturday 18 December.

Maher, who won individual Show Jumping gold, will be joined by members of the team gold medal-winning Eventing team, who claimed the first British Eventing Olympic title since 1972; Oliver Townend, Laura Collett and Tom McEwen. McEwen went on to claim the individual silver medal following a foot-perfect performance in all three disciplines.

British Eventing enjoyed a particularly fruitful year, with a dominant performance at the FEI European Championships, which saw the team of Nicola Wilson, Piggy March, Kitty King and Ros Canter pick up team gold, with Wilson and March claiming individual gold and silver medals respectively. The bronze medal went to Sarah Bullimore, competing as an individual, and all five athletes will be honoured as part of the parade.
From Dressage, Charlotte Dujardin OBE, Carl Hester MBE and Charlotte Fry, who claimed an Olympic team bronze medal, with Dujardin picking up an individual bronze, will also be present to celebrate their achievements in front of a crowd, something that was not possible in Tokyo. The trio went on to claim a team silver medal at the FEI European Championships in September, alongside Gareth Hughes, who will also be recognised at London’s ExCeL.
Maher, Fry and Dujardin, who is now Britain’s joint most decorated female Olympian, have also confirmed their participation in the Show’s competitive action, giving fans a chance to experience their world-class abilities first-hand.

Speaking from his yard, where he welcomed representatives from The London International Horse Show as he prepares to compete at the Show, Maher said: “The London International Horse Show is still one of the events I look forward to most each year. It has such a unique feel about it and I really enjoy the Christmas atmosphere. When I was a young kid, I remember we managed to get tickets and I was so excited to see some of the best Show Jumpers in action and all the different things that are on offer there, so it is really special now I get to compete there.”

Team GB’s Paralympic stars will also be in attendance, led by Sir Lee Pearson CBE, who secured his 14th Paralympic gold medal in Tokyo, with a trio of golds aboard his inexperienced ten-year-old, Breezer. Pearson will be joined by teammates Natasha Baker MBE, who collected her sixth Olympic gold at this summer’s Games, in addition to two silvers, and Sophie Wells who picked-up the fourth gold of her career, as well as Georgia Wilson, who won two bronze medals on her Olympic debut.

Show Director, Simon Brooks-Ward, said: “It will be a privilege to be able to pay tribute to these talented athletes for their outstanding performances in Tokyo. The parade will allow fans to show their appreciation for what was achieved in Tokyo, and we look forward to giving them a hero’s welcome.”

Organisers of The London International Horse Show have today confirmed that Charlotte Dujardin, Britain’s joint most decorated female Olympian, will have the ride on her Olympic partner Gio to headline a fantastic line-up of Dressage stars at the Show, which runs from 16 – 20 December 2021. Dujardin, currently ranked as No. 3 in the world, will be taking part in the Show’s opening event, the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Grand Prix, which will take place on the morning of Thursday 16 December, and the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Freestyle to Music, which is part of the evening performance on Friday 17 December.

Dujardin will take centre stage aboard her Tokyo Olympic partner, Gio, and will be looking to retain her title in both competitions following her double victory in 2019. The combination, who claimed individual and team bronze medals in Tokyo – and in doing so took Dujardin’s tally of medals to six - will be firm favourites to reign victorious when they are reunited in December.

They will be joined by her Olympic teammate Lottie Fry, aboard her own and van Olst Horses’ Dark Legend. The 25-year-old, who is based in the Netherlands, has had a successful 2021 campaign with a string of impressive top-level Grand Prix results, including individual bronze and team silver at the European Championships, and Olympic team bronze.

Another member of that silver medal-winning European Championship team, Gareth Hughes, will be joining Fry and Dujardin at ExCeL London. Hughes, who won the Grand Prix at the British National Championships, will be looking to retain that form as he heads to The London International Horse Show.

Olympian, Richard Davison, strengthens the British contingent taking part at the Show. Riding Bubblingh, the horse that he rode to victory in the Grand Prix Freestyle to Music in the CDI3* at Hartpury earlier this year, Davison will be sure to put in a competitive challenge. He will be joined by Fiona Bigwood, riding Hawtins Delicato, the horse which was runner-up in both competitions at The London International Horse Show in 2019, when ridden by Carl Hester. Compatriot Lara Butler will also be hoping to bring her recent form to the Show with Kristjan, having won both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special at the CDI3* at Keysoe last month.

Challenging the British hopefuls will be Nanna Skodborg Merrald from Denmark, part of the Tokyo Olympic team which were pipped to fourth place by Great Britain, and Singapore’s Caroline Chew. Sweden’s Antonia Ramel and Frederic Wandres from Germany complete the strong line-up.

Here's the full line up:   LIHS CDI-W Master List 201121.

World’s Best Carriage Drivers Head to London

The afternoon of Friday 17 December will mark the return of the FEI Driving World Cup™ to London, featuring the world’s leading Carriage Drivers. 2019 London International Horse Show winner, and former World No. 1, Boyd Exell (AUS) will return to the Show fresh from victory in the FEI Driving World Cup™ at Lyon. The five-time World Four-in-Hand champion and nine-time FEI World Cup^TM Driving Champion will take on Ijsbrand Chardon, a multiple World Champion and the current World No. 2, who will be looking to improve on his third-place position at the 2019 Show. The Dutchman will be full of confidence following success at the FEI World Cup^TM qualifier in Aachen.

Koos De Ronde’s second place finish split Exell and Chardon at the 2019 Show, and the Dutch World No. 3 will return to London looking to go one step further. Another who is sure to bring some excitement to the action is home favourite, Dan Naprous, who is famed for his stunt Driving and always has the crowd on the edge of their seats.

Dries Degrieck (BEL), buoyed by a successful World Cup^TM at Lyon, Mareike Harm, part of the German team at the FEI World Equestrian Games^TM in 2018 and Jérôme Voutaz from Switzerland, complete the line-up.