A Sensational Super Sunday at London International Horse Show

Darragh Kenny riding Eddy Blue @LondonInternationalHorseShow/Peter Nixon

The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ presented by Agria provided a fitting conclusion to what has been a five-day exhibition of equestrian excellence, with Darragh Kenny coming out on top. Agria Super Sunday got underway with the BSPS Ridden Mountain & Moorland Championship sponsored by New Horizon Plastics, followed by the Agria 128cms Championships showcasing the country’s finest junior riders.

The capacity crowd was also treated with exhilarating performances from Lorenzo, the ‘Flying Frenchman’ and the Defender Shetland Pony Grand National, as well as the final of The Kennel Club Medium Agility Stakes.

Following five days of world class Show Jumping, Darragh Kenny was also crowned the Leading Rider of the Show, with two wins and three placings under his belt across the course of the week.

KING KENNY

The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ presented by Agria, the pinnacle Jumping competition of the Show, brought together the world’s best horse and rider combinations looking to claim a share of the €180,000 prize fund as well as a place at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Basel in April.

To the delight of the home crowd, it was Britain’s Tim Gredley, riding Imperial HBF, who posted the first clear of the competition. Ireland’s Darragh Kenny – already a winner at the Show earlier in the week – made sure of a jump-off in the early stages.

Bernardo Costa Cabral’s up-to-height 1.60m course presented challenges throughout, with the likes of World No. 1 Henrik von Eckermann, Britain’s double Olympic champion Scott Brash and reigning European Champion Steve Guerdat accruing faults in the first round.

Germany’s Sophie Hinners – winner of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ leg in Verona last month – riding Iron Dames my Prins added their name to the list of those going through to the second round. Ben Maher, defending champion of this competition following his emphatic victory in 2023, showed his class with a brilliant round aboard Point Break to bring the number of clear rounds up to four. Robert Whitaker ensured the famous Whitaker dynasty was represented in the jump-off, riding the 11-year-old black stallion Vermento.

In total, five of the 37 starters progressed through to the jump-off, with Gredley getting the action underway; however, four faults en route left the door open to those who followed. Kenny, riding Eddy Blue, put on a brilliant demonstration of speed and agility, jumping clear to set the standard with a time of 34.76 seconds.

Ben Maher had the crowd on the edge of their seats, giving his all; however, his time of 35.15 seconds was only enough for second place. It was left to Whitaker, last to go in the jump-off, as the only rider able to secure the home victory, but four faults meant Kenny claimed the first Irish win of the London leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ presented by Agria since 2007.

The World No. 19 said: “It’s a Show that I always love to come to. I’ve watched it since I was a little kid; it’s one of the best shows of the year, and to have won this World Cup is pretty cool. I knew going into the ring that I had to be fast because those boys are brilliant and they’re all on form, so I knew I had to really throw it down, but Eddy Blue was unbelievable and jumped great, so it worked out. It’s hard with Ben coming behind you; you never know if you’ve done enough; he’s one of the best riders in the world, so it was a wait and wish situation.”

On claiming the Leading Rider of the Show award, Kenny continued: “I didn’t start strongly, but it ended up being a good week and this caps it off. The crowd here is unbelievable, they’re so fun and it’s brilliant to put on a good show for them.”

THE NEXT BIG STAR

The Agria 128cms Championship saw 12 of the best up-and-coming and smallest jumping competitors battle it out in a thrilling contest of speed. Seven riders made it through to the jump-off, which turned into an exhilarating affair. Annabel Widdowson and the 23-year-old Bunbury Conquest were the first to post a double clear, setting a time to beat of 30.00 seconds. Despite numerous close attempts, including one by Anya Dewey Clarke, who demonstrated the time was beatable but incurred four faults, Widdowson claimed the top spot, improving on her second-place finish from last year.

Speaking of her victory, Widdowson remarked: “It is wonderful to win here. It was very hard to be in the jump-off as second to go, and I knew there were lots of really good people still left to compete. I was hoping to try my best, and I knew my pony would do the same. He is so small and did his best to clear all of the fences. I love jumping, and he loves it too – we have the same mindset – we just like going fast!”

A SHOW-STOPPING FINAL DAY

Spectators enjoyed a day of outstanding Showing classes on the final day of the Show, held in both the International Arena and the New Horizon Plastics London Arena. The distinguished BSPS Ridden Mountain and Moorland Championship, sponsored by New Horizon Plastics, took centre stage in the International Arena, while the New Horizon Plastics London Arena hosted the Heritage Working Sports Pony Championship and the Worker Stakes Championship.

The British Show Pony Society (BSPS), the premier Showing society in the United Kingdom, organises regional shows, training days, points parties, and social events. In the BSPS Ridden Mountain and Moorland Championship, riders showcased their ponies’ natural beauty, with exceptional conformation and movement displayed throughout the class.

Meanwhile, in the New Horizon Plastics London Arena, Florence Milczarek and her seven-year-old Welsh Section A palomino pony, Cosford Wishes Vow (also known as Blossom), claimed the Heritage Working Sports Pony Championship title. Medi Rowles Lloyd and Heniarth Willy-Wagtail were named Reserve Champions. This Championship provided a platform for the four qualifiers to demonstrate their ponies’ graceful movement, culminating in a surprise appearance by Father Christmas, who presented rosettes to the competitors. Reflecting on her victory, Milczarek said, “I am so excited and pleased. When they called my number – 222 – as Champion, I felt so happy.”

The day concluded with the Worker Stakes Championship, the final event of the London International Showing Series for 2024. Lilly Richardson and Marsh Walk On By triumphed as Champions, while Oscar Elcock and Brynithon Poachers Gold were Reserve Champions. Both riders delivered excellent performances, earning great applause from the audience and providing a fitting conclusion to the second year of the London International Showing Series.

For more information, please visit londonhorseshow.com.

Contact: Niki McEwen / rEvolution / nmcewen@revolutionworld.com