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Carl Hester Claims Freestyle Victory at Olympia, the London International Horse Show

Photo credit Kit Houghton/Hpower.

Last night after the Grand Prix at Olympia, The London Horse Show, Carl Hester threw down the gauntlet. Tonight he put words into action and with Nip Tuck (83.750%) ran out the winner of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Freestyle supported by Horse & Hound.

Promising the most difficult freestyle he could muster, the British Olympic and European gold medallist delivered with a brand new test of high technical difficulty and was delighted to nail the win. It was also a convincing personal best (PB) freestyle score for the combination.

“This is really huge for me,” said a delighted Hester. “Last night I thought I had a chance and decided to grab it. I was a little nervous as to whether it would come off and to produce a test like that you really have to have a horse on your side. It just goes to show that after 25 years in the job and riding Grand Prix you never really know what you have and Nip Tuck is really turning into something I never thought he was.”

The showcase performance by the British Master relegated the then leaders Charlotte Dujardin and Uthopia (82.55), to second place. The pair had produced an energetic and expressive test and also produced their highest and best score to date.

“I am really happy with the test,” said Charlotte, who is lining up the Dutch-bred stallion as a second string for Rio.

“Last night he felt really fresh and tonight a little tired and there were a few errors. He is a very different ride to Valegro and is a little ring shy and I still have to hold his hand a bit but he tried so hard.”

Hans Peter Minderhoud, a regular Dutch visitor to Olympia, and Glock’s Flirt (80.975) took third and in a night of PBS followed suit producing a score marginally higher than their bets and winning score in Stockholm last month.

“I was pleased with that – it was a little difficult coming in after Charlotte but he really tried for me and it is a great feeling when they are on your side,” said Minderhoud who always puts Olympia in his diary. “I love the show and London,” said Hans. “It is a great show, a great audience and a good way to end the year before Christmas.”

Lambert plays a winning game

Juggling a revision timetable for medical finals and show jumping training produced its first fruitful result for Olympia first-timer Second Lt Amy Lambert of the Army Medical Services. Riding her own Chequers Play the Game, she jumped the sole double clear of the Services Jumping Championships to secure the title.

“I didn’t realise I was the only double clear until after the class,” said Second Lt Lambert, whose medical finals are in just three weeks’ time. “I am absolutely ecstatic – you are doing well to qualify for this final.”

In preparation for her exams and this competition, Second Lt Lambert has been based at event rider Vittoria Panizzon’s yard for the past week. “Elvis,” as Chequers Play the Game is known at home, competes successfully with Vittoria in eventing and won the Aldon CIC** with her just two months ago.

To view the full results, click HERE.

For more information, please contact Gayle Telford, Revolution Sports + Entertainment
E: gayle@revolutionsports.co.uk T: +44(0)778 757 6490 or +44(0)207 592 1207

Olympia, The London International Horse Show
The first international horse show took place in the Olympia halls in 1907. Olympia, The London International Horse Show, the event we see today, was started by Raymond Brooks-Ward in 1971. This year’s show takes place on 15-21 December 2015 in the Olympia Exhibition Hall, located in West Kensington London. The show will play host to a packed timetable of all things equestrian and is expected to welcome over 90,000 visitors. It is regarded as one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious equine competitions. The show mixes top class equestrian action, including FEI World Cup™ Jumping, Dressage and Driving with family entertainment, such as the Osborne Refrigerators Shetland Pony Grand National and The Kennel Club Dog Agility.

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