18-year-old William Whitaker, the youngest rider in the competition, pulled off a sensational victory in the Accenture Christmas Puissance when he was the only one of the three riders in the fifth and final round to clear the 2.16m wall and become the youngest ever winner of the Olympia puissance.
Riding Insultech Leonardo, owned by his uncle Michael, for whom he rides, William kept his head in front of an enthralled and packed hall and had the crowd in raptures as he had the 10-year-old bay gelding soaring over the massive wall.
Both Robert Whitaker, the 2-1 bookies’ favourite on Finbarr V, and Ireland’s Shane Breen with his Belfast puissance winner Lyssegan Clover Diamond, tipped a brick out of the wall.
Earlier, Cian O’ Connor (Casper) went out in the fourth round. Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat (Tresor V) and Guy Williams (Una ll) departed in the third. Christian Ahlmann was a shock departure in the second, as was Jean-Marc Nicolas, and John Whitaker retired Peppermill after successfully passing through the first round.
“He felt really well so I decided that was enough. My plan was just to give him another outing in the arena before the World Cup final – he’d been a bit fresh and had a fence down in the grand prix, so I thought he needed another jump,” explained John.
Earlier, Robert Whitaker was narrowly beaten in the Accenture Speed Stakes by Dutchman Leopold van Asten, but he is still leading rider in the show. Denmark’s Thomas Velin beat Michael Whitaker to victory in the Christmas Cracker, thus ensuring the prizes are being well spread around the nations.
Most significantly, for the first time in Olympia’s history, show director Simon Brooks-Ward and house manager Alan Curtis were able to put a ‘Full House’ sign outside. There was not a seat – or even a stairway – to be had on puissance night, and what a competition the crowd had to enjoy.
RESULTS
16 THE ACCENTURE CHRISTMAS PUISSANCE
Int. puissance competition (first round: 1.80 m)
1 Insul Tech Leonardo William Whitaker GBR 0 faults 4th jump-off
2 Lyssegan Clover Diamond Shane Breen IRL 4 faults 4th jump-off
2 Finbarr V Robert Whitaker GBR 4 faults 4th jump-off
4 Casper Cian O’Connor IRL 4 faults 3rd jump-off
5 Tresor V Steve Guerdat SUI 4 faults 2nd jump-off
5 Una II Guy Williams GBR 4 faults 2nd jump-off
7 Exploit de Roulard Jean-Marc Nicolas FRA 4 faults 1st jump-off
7 Naihade des Thesides Paola Amilibia Puig ESP 4 faults 1st jump-off
7 Sinclaire Christian Ahlmann GER 4 faults 1st jump-off
10 Peppermill John Whitaker GBR not begun 1st jump-off
11 Parodie Marc Houtzager NED eliminated initial round
Earlier in the day.
Thomas Velin (DEN) edges Michael Whitaker (GBR) by .16 seconds to win The Christmas Cracker
14 THE CHRISTMAS CRACKER
Int. jumping competition with one jump-off (1.60 m, Table A)
1 Godsend du Reverdy Velin, Thomas DEN 5700 GBP 0 faults 36.43 sec
2 Insul Tech Mozart des Hayettes Whitaker, Michael GBR 2660 GBP 0 faults 36.59 sec
3 H.B.C. Dancing Queen Kayser, Julia AUT 1950 GBP 0 faults 37.89 sec
4 Kalusha Smith, Robert GBR 1640 GBP 0 faults 38.15 sec
5 H&M Espri Baryard-Johnsson, Malin SWE 1440 GBP 0 faults 38.22 sec
6 Isovlas Jus des Fontaines Deusser, Daniel GER 1125 GBP 0 faults 43.65 sec
7 Suzie Quattro Diniz, Luciana POR 1025 GBP 4 faults 39.70 sec
8 Tamino Houtzager, Marc NED 870 GBP 4 faults 41.88 sec
9 Lincoln Zoer, Albert NED 820 GBP 8 faults 36.35 sec
10 Granie Fuchs, Markus SUI 770 GBP 8 faults 37.39 sec
Leopold Asten claims victory by more than a second in the Accenture Stakes
15 THE ACCENTURE STAKES
Int. speed competition (1.40 m, Table C)
1 VDL Groep Issis du Marais Asten, Leopold van NED 1200 GBP 51.75 seconds
2 Rusedski II Whitaker, Robert GBR 800 GBP 52.88 seconds
3 For Fun Ehning, Marcus GER 520 GBP 53.01 seconds
4 Merva des Hayettes Williams, Guy GBR 400 GBP 53.81 seconds
5 Hooligan de Rosyl Deusser, Daniel GER 320 GBP 54.30 seconds
6 Okometa Pollmann-Schweckhorst, Alois GER 240 GBP 54.74 seconds
7 That’s Life Hecart, Michel FRA 160 GBP 54.91 seconds
8 Lady des Hayettes Whitaker, Michael GBR 120 GBP 55.67 seconds (53.67)
9 Casino Whitaker, John GBR 120 GBP 56.57 seconds (54.57)
10 Fraeulein Smilla 4 O’Connor, Cian IRL 120 GBP 57.50 seconds
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