Emily Gulliver scores her biggest win at the prestigious London International Horse Show with Fleur De Nuit 8
Saturday 21 December 2024
Emily Gulliver recorded the biggest win of her career in the Green Mile Bedding Mini Stakes with Fleur De Nuit 8 at the London International Horse Show at the ExCeL Arena.
"She’s amazing, loves jumping and will do anything for me,” said Emily.
Twelve 148cm competitors faced celebrated Portuguese course-designer Bernardo Costa Cabral’s 12-fence 1.25m track with seven providing clean rounds to go forward into the jump-off, although Lucy Capper on Oscar Van De Beekerheide was considered unlucky 0.08 seconds over the time allowed and denied a jump-off chance.
The tension heightened in round two as the course was raised and shortened, and it was all about the clock as five posted double clears with the lead constantly changing.
Ella Spencer got proceedings underway with Gilton Des Ilots but was immediately relegated by Cate Kerr aboard Cindy VI. However, Emily took advantage of her later fifth draw on the eager nine-year-old Fleur De Nuit 8 (For Pleasure x Quick Star) to skilfully cut 0.70 seconds from the time and land the win.
“The course was lovely and smooth and the jump-off had good turnbacks so I could dare her; she’s so careful,” said Emily, who has recently been competing in Europe on the FEI Jumping Ponies Trophy series. “The experience we have gained [jumping in Salzburg, Austria, Stuttgart, Germany and Herning, Denmark] helped 100% coping with the course and atmosphere. She [Fleur] really lights up with adrenalin and jumps better for it, she loves the job and this sets up nicely for the FEI Jumping Ponies Trophy Final in Mechelen, Belgium, next week.”
Cate Kerr had to settle for second place on Cindy VI, just 0.7 seconds off Emily's time, with Sam Widger filling third spot on Western Ranger.
Image credit: London International Horse Show / Peter Nixon
 c. KT Equine Photography.jpg "Victory for Emily Ward and Wild Star HF in the Winter Grand Prix at Kelsall Hill Winter Classic")
