Williams is the main Guy for Britain
Sunday 20 December 2009
Six nations were represented in the seven-horse jump off for Saturday evening’s big class at Olympia, the H & M Santa Stakes, but to the delight of a packed house it was Britain’s Guy Williams who prevailed on one of the youngest horses, the eight-year-old Duhkan.
Guy has only had the Duhkhan, by Adiamo Z, for six weeks, buying him from Eric Larnen in Belgium, from whom he also purchased World Cup qualifier ride Torinto van de Middelstede.
The grey gelding’s very first jump of the competition was awkward and did not exactly inspire confidence but Guy, who sought advice before the jump-off from Peter Charles, explained: “He’s a very spooky horse, but he jumps a lot of clear rounds. He’s very careful and has been knocking on the door for a big win.”
First to go in the jump-off, Switzerland’s Christina Liebherr set the pace with a fast clear on LB Robin Hood, but Guy overhauled her by 1.61sec, with Sweden’s Svante Johansson the only other rider to go clear, on Caramell KS, for third.
The British theme had been upheld when, earlier in the evening, Robert Smith, a perennial favourite at Olympia, got off the mark with a cheeky win in the Tom Hudson Christmas Tree Stakes speed class.
Ireland’s Billy Twomey took an early lead, being eventually overtaken by European bronze medallist Albert Zoer on the eight-year-old Uraya, eventual second, and Svante Johansson, third.
But Robert Smith with a late draw in a speed contest is always dangerous and, aboard one of his best horses, Raging Bull Vangelis S, he made it look easy, coming home in 46.69 with 0.34sec to spare over Albert.
The H & M Leading Rider Award is, however, still firmly in overseas hands, with Pius Schwizer holding a clear six-point lead over Ellen Whitaker, who is three ahead of Kevin Staut.