Matt Sampson claims second in the Snowflake Stakes at London International Horse Show
Saturday 16 December 2023
A winner in the first of the international classes at London International Horse Show, Matt Sampson had to settle for second in the Agria Lifetime Equine Snowflake Stakes with his 2022 London Grand Prix winner, Ebolensky.
Twenty-eight riders started over the two-round 1.50m course designed by Brazil’s Guilherme Jorge with the top 10 qualifying for round two – Scott Brash missing out with the slowest of the clears to stand 11th on Hello Jefferson.
Jumping in reverse order of merit in round two, Matt was the first to jump clear over the shortened track with the eager 14-year-old Clinton mare Ebolensky and held the lead with just two to go. However, Italy’s Lorenzo de Luca optimised on his final draw to wipe 2.69 seconds off the time, sweeping to victory with Violino Il Palazetto.
“Violini jumped amazing. The course was really fast and I was lucky enough to go last so I headed into the arena knowing the time to beat. Matt played it a bit safe so it made things slightly easier for me, but it was still a good win,” said Lorenzo.
Harry Charles was best of the British in the feature Longines Christmas Cracker – which lived up to it’s name with a cracking jump-off.
Eleven of the original 23 starters mastered the 12-fence 1.55m track with the flying Frenchman Julien Epaillard immediately putting the pressure on with a super-speedy opening round. Britain’s Under 25 world number 1 Harry Charles scorched down the final line on Casquo Blue in a bid to catch him but was unable to match the speed to finish 0.74 seconds in arrears.
Julien looked seemingly unbeatable as riders came and went; until last to go Max Kuhner. The Austrian hit every forward stride with risky turns galore to gallop EIC Cooley Jump The Q into victory with 0.23 seconds to spare.
“It was a tight jump-off but that is always how it is with Julien. I was very pleased with my horse and my round and the crowd here is fantastic,” said Max.
Harry had to settle for fourth place with Scott Brash and the promising nine-year-old Hello Valentino posting the steadiest of the double clears for seventh.
Eight pony riders, representing seven different Pony Clubs, partnered professional senior riders in the GS Equestrian Pony Club Mini-Major with Serena Brown making the most of her final draw to win with partner Geir (Jimmy) Gulliksen.
Aided by her enthusiastic Northern Irish support team, Iveagh pony Club member Serena navigated the tightest of lines and took out a stride to the final fence, propelling Maxmilo into victory by 0.54 seconds.
“I’ve had Maxmilo for about two years, he’s a rescue pony and I’m so proud of him. It feels amazing to have won that class – I can’t believe it! I was so nervous, but I enjoyed it so much and it was amazing to be partnered with Jimmy,” she said.
Amy Capper on Laithehill Paisley joined forces with Sebastian Hughes to take second with Olivia Lewington aboard My Blue Eyed Boy partnering Mark Edwards and Montreuxs Tale for third.
Image: LIHS/Peter Nixon
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