2015 Equestrian: Olympia Horse Show

What a competition. My word. This horse has been absolutely brilliant.

It is such a partnership. Exceptional. What a fabulous

combination. Pure class as a rider. That was easy. Oh, he is way over

it! Get your programmes. Special

programmes! Lovely jump! Good rhythm. Good

balance. He's done it! Welcome to the London International

Horse Show. It is incredible entertainment and some spectacular

sights. We have got some live World Cup show jumping for you. But there

is plenty more coming in the next couple of hours. World No 1 Scott

Brash will tell us a million euros was worth the controversy it

created. And we have highlights of the dressage to music with Carl

Hester and Charlotte Dujardin. And a spectacular sight as the Household

Cavalry charge into the arena. It has been a fantastic year for Scot

Brash. But he omitted not represent Great Britain and helped ensure that

crucial Olympic qualification, but he was chasing a one million euros

of pot of gold and a place in the history books. I caught up with him

earlier in the week. Scott, this year, you have accomplished somebody

nobody had done, the Rolex Grand Slam. Where does that rank do you

think in your life achievements? It is right up there. The three degrees

that every rider wants to win. No one had done it before. It was a

massive part of my career to win that and that and the Olympic gold

medals, the two best achievements I have ever had. The feelings, the

moments in my life I will never forget. You also rewrote cheque

books, a one million euro bonus, it is not a sport like football, these

pay days don't come often. It is incredible to have that in the

sport? Yes, it is a massive bonus for us. I heard the global champions

tour is going up to a million bonus and it is great to see the sport

going in a positive direction. In terms of decision to go to Spruce

Meadows, you came under criticism. Do you think it was just if Ied? I

think so. I have no regrets put it that way. I will always do what I

think is right for the horse and that is what I done. Hopefully with

us doing that, he has one more Championship in him. It would have

been unfair to dothat and then the other. I assume you had dicushions

-- discussions with the British riders were they supportive? Some

were, some weren't. I will always do what is right for my horse. Me and

my owners difference cussed it. When you make -- discussed it and you

know you're going to get criticism and you have to handle it and do

what you think is right. I think it was just was justified. You have

been world No 1, do you think that makes you entitled to be part of

British team for the Olympics? Not necessarily. Our sport is about your

form near the time. It doesn't matter what happens in the past. The

four best horses in form should be the four that go to Rio. If I was

manager that is what I would do. One thing that is still on your list is

that individual gold. How much would you like to win that especially on

the horse that has given you so much. Yes, I feel in London we

should have been jumping off for a gold or silver individual medal. We

finished fifth. But at the expense of one fence down. That fence still

haunts me today. Oh, he took the option to keep going Forde ward.

Medal chances gone. I would love to put it right for his sake. I would

love to try and top his career off by that. This is your last show

before Christmas and then you go back to your roots and give your

staff time off and you will be the one mucking out? Yes sometimes

they're cursing me when they come back. Are you not very good at it? I

think I'm good at it, but they all have a very high standard and

sometimes my standards are not just up to top notch like theirs. But yes

it is nice for them to all go home and I enjoy doing the horses on

Christmas Day. I am not sure about his mucking out skills, but his

riding is great. I am joined by Tim Stockdale. He has represented

Britain on over 50 occasions. We are speaking about Scot Brash, he is a

top class rider and he ruffled some feathers with that decision. Whoo do

you think. It is unprecedented that he decided to go for the individual

title, instead of helping the team and the country qualify for the

Olympics. It was a very brave decision in my opinion. I was one of

the riders that was against Scott's decision. My feeling is you have to

put the team qualification first. I think he was badly advised and one

or two people got his ear that were saying to do this. For the amount of

money that Scott was jumping for. The prize money was well over a

million and a quarter. We are talking a massive pot of money. I

think his priorities were steered to that agenda. People will say because

he didn't help Britain qualify, he shouldn't go. Is that a sensible

approach? Great Britain at an Olympics neats Scott brash. That

would be my belief. You have got to move on. Luckily we qualified. The

guys did a tremendous job. They secured qualification. Scott went on

and won his bonus and his money and took his place in the history books.

Let's move on. We want Scott as part of team pulling the rope all in the

same direction as a team. We have got to pull together. We want to see

the them in the team. We won't see Hello Sanctos at Olympia. But

Sunshine was in Olympia's biggest class, the puissance. It means power

and nerves of steel. We had a strong line up going in and in fact in the

first round all eleven riders went clear. But we had a surprise exit

from a previous winner in Guy Williams. He was kicking himself

after. He was unhappy with his approach up to the wall. He is

taking it steady, but the horse fires over and takes a brick down.

He was left on the sidelines. The wall went up to 6 foot 7, or two

metres. This is Laura Renwick. Her horse Rollercoaster, a similar

situation, taps the brick and she was a spectator. So that meant only

six went forward. The wall went up to a huge two metres ten or six foot

11. We mentioned Sunshine and there they are at the bottom. Here is what

happened in the latter rounds. COMMENTATOR: Meyer for Germany.

Germany have been known as the puissance nation over the years.

Here is Hilmar to keep the flag flying.

Hilmar Meyer, double winner this year. Will he make it three?

Brilliantly done. A lot of pace. A lot of confidence. Saw exactly the

stride he needed with this huge big German horse, with massive power. He

has got better each round. He was stuffy over the first round, but

that is getting smoother and more comfortable each time. He looked

easier over that height than over the first height. Got to exact think

right point and that is the skill these -- got to exactly the right

point and that is the skill where they have to be pin point accurate.

But if you stand off further, you can't get the height. That is a

great piece of riding from Hilmar. He says he is not a puissance rider,

but he has placed every year since he shared the victory with Guy

Williams in 2011. The horse has got the scope. No doubting that.

This is another one that has improved each round. With Pius. Oh,

he went for that powerful long stride again. It was a bit too much.

You saw a bit of a kick and a snatch on take off. I don't know if he felt

he wasn't going to go. He really said, come on, pick up. A bit too

much pace and dragged the brick. He ended up too far off. He is so

determined. But as he took off, I think he knew he was probably a

couple of feet too far away. And that just dragged the back end

through top of the fence. Victoria Gulliksen and almost the

joker in the pack. They have jumped adequately all the way through. It

might be at this height they may do the same again and give us a jump

off in the fifth round. This horse gets very strong. She

needs to wait. Don't rush it. Yes, you see how strong he has got. A bit

sairy after -- scary after the fence. He just ran through the top

of the fence. Couldn't get the shoulders up. Couldn't get the

height. Dived over to the left. Brave effort from Victoria. But if

they don't stay straight, very often the shape of the jump goes and you

can see there he threw himself forward and hit it quite hard in the

end. So three more to go. Only one clear so far. We can go one more

round. No doubt the horse has got the jump to jump this easily. But it

is putting the whole package together and that is what it is

about. A bit of calming and confidence going on there. It does

worry me hen he jumps with the head up. We will see what happens this

time. But he has got the power and class to jump the fence. The one

clear round is Hilmar Meyer for Germany. Looking to jump, repeat in

the fifth. 2 metres 10. Oh so unlucky. The same

jump to the right and just in the end that technique was a bit untidy.

Just wasn't going to work. He is a brave horse. Watch again. Flings his

head up, jumps to the right and couldn't release the back legs. I

think they just have got to be able to drop the head more than that. You

see the head went up. Back legs come down. That is a great shame. Very

brave horse. Brave rider. She has come so close last year. And very

close again this year. How are you feeling? I'm happy. He

doesn't always help you, he carries his head very high over the jumps?

Yes. It seems he doesn't help me but he really wants to go and do it for

me so I'm really thankful for it. We are down to two left to jump in

round 4 with one at the moment clear in this round. Trevor Breen for

Ireland, Joss Velooy for Belgium looking to join the German. They

have been falling by the way side here. Trevor Breen.

Oh, no. Well, great approach. We'll have another look at that on the

slo-mo but it hung in the air for a fraction of a second. Just watch

here. Took off well, got the front legs up, but when the horses

hesitate in the air, they don't finish the shape of the jump off. We

are seeing the horses dragging the bricks out with the back legs. Brave

effort again. So we haven't got the clears we expected. One left to go

that could put us into round 5. And just at the peak of his performance,

his horse goes out. Are you disappointed with that or,

did he do you justice? The horse did himself proud, he's on two Derbies

before, so I don't think he owes anything to his owners, Richard

Brown or his trainer Bernice Cuthbert, so he's done himself proud

but obviously I'm gutted because I came here to win and in front of

this crowd, Olympia, I would have liked to have won. I'll be going

back. It will be interesting if this horse does jump this fence. Will

they tie or go for a final round? Jos Velooy, 20 years old with a

nine-year-old Sunshine, the horse he wants to ride for Belgium in the

World Cup. This man has the talent. Jos Velooy

look to go clear and join the possible final round. Got to go

clear. The wall. Two metres 10. You see there, there's no time limit,

he's slowing everything down. Were sensible move. He's got to wait.

He's gone a bit earlier. Oh, but it's worked. Fabulous jump.

Unbelievable. What scope from this lovely nine-year-old. He can jump

the man. That was fabulous! I think you will find he was at least six to

nine, if not a foot higher than that. That was quite extraordinary.

We very rarely see a horse jump so cleanly over a 2 metres 10 wall.

That's the best jump we have seen all night. Went fractionally

earlier, gave his horse a bit more room but that was spot on. That's

the classic shape, you very rarely see that. That was a treat, that

really was. So, we can go to the fifth there.

Those are the two that could jump off in the final round. And they are

going again, very good news, 2 metres 15, 7'1" for round 5.

We are off into round 5 of the final round, two left, one for Germany and

one for Belgium. Germany's Hilmar Meyer, a late entry

but he'll give us wonderful value for his appearance here, riding the

13-year-old, Continuo, who's got better and better. He's on two and

one can begin to see why now. Round 5. Hilmar Meyer, Germany, the

first of two to jump off. The wall, that is at 2 meaters 15, 7 Flatt and

half an inch. -- 7" and half an inch.

Better and better each round. What an effort from Hilmar Meyer, he's

thrilled the crowd there. Absolutely spot on. All the way. And such a

lovely, attacking, poss piece of riding. Put him on a six pence. That

was brill Cumbrian. -- brilliant. 11 out of 10! He says, come on, we are

going to jump it. Fantastic piece of riding. Look at the determination.

But the horse really gave it to him. My word, it's wonderful, that

performance. You are not going to see a rider any more determined to

jump a wall than Hilmar Meyer. Elbows went, he got the take off. No

wonder he's punching the air, what a feeling that is!

The door's open and in comes the 20-year-old, Jos Verlooy. And this

horse is gaining in value every moment that he's in the ring.

Lovely, big horse, Belgian bred. The owner is the rider's father.

Cool as a cucumber. He's got to jump it to force a tie. Or if he has it

down, of course, it's a win for Germany.

The audience fall quiet. Hilmar Meyer's gone clear. This man now

looking to share the 2015 Christmas Show here. Joss Verlooy. Quietly

into the corner. Brilliant tactics, he's got to wait. Little change of

mind but he's done it! He had to just take a little pull and say,

wait for me, got into exactly the right place, and again he made it

look so easy. I haven't seen a horse, and many have jumped 7 foot

over the years, but I don't think I've ever seen a horse make it look

so easy. That was really so simple. Little change of mind, got to the

right place, and again, way over the top of it. This horse could go

another ten centimetres easily. Extraordinary amount of power.

Amazing. Joint winners again. We have seen that a few times over the

years. We have. And there's been one of the special nights again, a win

for Germany and here we One of the best.

Welcome to Olympia, your first time here and what a way to start? My

first time here, only been here as a groom 30 years ago with my boss.

It's an amazing atmosphere here and I'm really proud of my horse that I

could win today. An incredible atmosphere for the Puissance night?

I've never rode a Puissance with an atmosphere like this. In the first

round he was a little sticky but got better? He was spooky because of the

green in front of the wall, he had not seen it before and he was quite

trying, in the first round my feeling was not so well. A lovely

birthday present to yourself, you've just turned 20, what a way to cap it

off? Yes, very exciting. My father jumped the Puissance before and won

it. He rides easy and made it easy for me. You calm him down, use the

corners and take a walk and he looks like he's a relaxed horse, or is

that you? No, he is relaxed and I try to keep him relaxed so he

doesn't get too excited and that all worked out good today. I tried to

give him a walk and make him calm and he stayed calm every round, so I

was happy with that. To present the awards tonight,

delighted that Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cornwall here to

witness what has been a very special evening, she comes nearly every year

and loves her visit. Of course, there's just so much equine

entertainment that really is there for everyone and Her Royal Highness

has thoroughly enjoyed her evening, I have no doubt.

So, the moment, that if you want to compete, the moment that will always

take you on to cloud 9. The lap of honour. And here at Olympia, so

very, very special. Jos Verlooy for Belgium, Hilmar Meyer for Germany,

the joint Puissance winners for Olympia 2015. Tim and I have made it

into this absolutely beautiful arena, not long now until the World

Cup qualifier, the London leg here, and this is a huge course, this is a

huge fence! I mean look at the size of it. What can you tell us? How

would you approach a fence like this? This is fairly early in the

course. We have one and two. Straightaway, this is number three,

coming via the entrance, so horses already looking at the entrance

maybe thinking that's where they want to go to and straightaway the

first big test. The thing is, there is a lot of poles, no great filter.

Normally we'd have a wall or brush in here, there's nothing. Also

looking straight through it. That will look a daunting prospect. They

could back off that and the width is going to catch a lot of horses out.

Where is their eye line at this point because they can see through a

fence, they can see the next fence and the crowd? That's right. As a

general rule they'll be looking straight through this, so the fact

there's no fill, they'll nearly be looking at the second aspect of this

line before they jump the first, so that can cause problems. To walk the

distance, between this triple bar, which is a spread fence, it shows

that is a big indication of how the riders can go. Let's take a look at

this in terms of wing span. I I'll put my wings out but I can't

speak at the same time. This is where they are taking off from. Yes,

so they are further. So you are talking in the region of about 15-18

feet of spread, the horse is going to leap, now be careful! Tim is now

going to stride this. It's a bit hectic. The basic stride pattern is

12 feet, just under four metres, the horse's stride length. I'm going to

work out a landing which is approximately there and every four

of my steps is equal to one horse stride. One, two, three, one, two,

three, one, two, three, that's where the horse will take off for this

next fence. You can see again it's a very tall, vertical... But it's a

different fence isn't it? We don't just have the pulls, we have a

plank. Yes, they fall off very easily. I only have to gently touch

that and it will slide off. I'm glad you touched it and not me, I don't

want to be responsible for this. It shows the carefulness for this.

Horses don't jump white fences very well. It's long distance and this is

going to fall off a lot. We need to keep out of the way of the riders.

This is their homework, the only time they get to see this course and

Tim is off again. This is heading into five, Tim?

Mar, Three strides. Four strides. Five strides. This is five strides

and it is a bit short this five strides. Again the riders have got

to wait a bit. The width, when you look at it, it is massive wide. Can

I just grab a word. What do you make of course. Good, everything is tight

off the turns. It is not the biggest course we have seen, but it will

take plenty of jumping. I have a nine-year-old Super Sox who

hopefully goes well. Let's have a word. He was trying to get the Irish

position turned around for qualification for Rio, what do you

think of the chances of that? I think they have to take that chance,

but I have to say I think they're on a very sticky wicket with it. I

think it is a feel the pain thing and you can't legislate. What

happens when a bird flies open or somebody opens a newspaper. They're

right to have a go, but I have a feeling they will be doomed. That is

a big word. Keiran O'Connor said he will keep preparing as if he was in

Rio. Keiran said everything is quick off the corner. You're going into a

corner, a wide fence, but as you're coming out tshs first part of triple

is two strides off this turn. You have no time to prepare and get your

horse organised. We will look at that now. It is like crossing a busy

road. It is always a frantic time. You only have a few minutes to learn

the course. Let's follow it around. This is incredible. Again so, close

to coming off the turn. You have got two strides. And quite a big

vertical. I'm going to enter a second. Ben, who are you doing your

course walk with. This is Nevara they own Diya. Are you enjoying it.

Yes it looks like it is so much bigger than up there. It looks like

really big. What do you think of it? It looks a big course, jumps are

coming fast, a lot of distances are short. We need some of the more

handy horses. We will have a good week. You must be delighted with

Diva. Yes she had to work hard on his own. She had gone form here last

year. It was her first win. Hopefully we can can repeat that.

Thank you. Enjoy. You're back. We were saying about the combination.

This is unusual, there is only one stride between. If the horse is

unbalanced, he will come quickly on them. Few get one part wrong, the

next part is wrong. It is a bit long. This is where the horse will

take off from. That back rail is a long way away. This is critical they

get their pace right and the balance and power in the centre. I think

that face said it all. It is not like you have two parts. You have

the treble just to... Going back again, one stries in here. And --

one stride in here and the horse has to off his back end, use his balance

and technique to jump this fence in the correct way. Too much power and

you will hit it. No 7 is on a blind turn. The horses are get nothing

respite and they will come out like bullets. They will need

concentration all the way through. We have been looking at the fences

in the middle. Up with thing I always think, look to see how close

these fences are right to the wall. I will try not to get in anyone's

way. But it is incredible. There is something very special. The crowd is

here. When you're jumping, you're coming and you can almost smell the

perfume on the ladies, or literally the... This a what you have been

doing all these years? It is strange. It is unlike any arena I

have jumped in. Normally they're away back. Here they're up close and

personal. We have been walking around the first round. But not

usual to necessarily all levels of competition, you might get the

chance to walk a jump off. They don't get the chance to walk a jump

off. How many will be looking at that. Most of them. It is kritsical.

He will -- critical. He will be stripping the arena bare and they

won't get a chance. If they're later on in the competition, they're not

panicking. If you're in the first six, this is quite a frantic time.

Because you're learning the first round and looking at the jump off

course and you have got go out and get prepared. It is quite a frantic

time for all this information to be coming in and trying to lodge in the

brainbox. What position would you Reich to be starting -- like to be

starting if you were riding in this class. The latter third of draw is

always the best. You get the play of the course, what is causing the

trouble and there is a distance problem down the last line that is

so complicated and the early riders won't know what the best distance,

whether to go on the five and long one or a short and waiting one. Can

we make it to the line in one minute? Very quickly. I will explain

the situation. Let's break into a run! Just as we talking I will tell

you. You have got to decide whether to go five strides. And be on the

inside line to jump this big one. But you're going to be a long way

away. Or go deeper and make it six. But look how wide the fence is. It

must be four feet wide? It is. That is a very wide fence. I'm not a

midget. Tim, I think we have done an excellent job. Their sprinkling

snow. It is not just show jumping here. We have had two great nights

of dressage and it was in front of a packed crowd. Last year everybody

came to see Charlotte Dujardin and Aleg row. This year she was riding a

new horse. And there is a new free style style. British dressage has

gone from strength to strength. Now the moment this full house has been

waiting for. She has taken Britain to the top of the world.

Beautifully balanced turn. It all looks so easy and this a exactly how

it should look. Confident performance.

The free style last Wednesday. Beautiful changes more than make up

for that error in the corner. Watch this.

She is really getting every ounce out of this horse. Part of Olympic

gold medal team in London. A bit of a wobble there. : There we are. This

girl holds the world records at free style, Grand Prix and Grand Prix

special. Some in this very arena. Has she done enough to win her third

free style to music here in the grand hall? The crowd, they really

love her and she has certainly pulled all the stops out. The

technical will put her in the lead. Artistic is where she often scores

great marks. It is a new leading score for Great Britain. On 82.550.

A strong performance from Charlotte and a horse she has only competed a

handful of times and not for 18 months. Carl Hester knew he and his

huge horse would have to be at their best. Looking at the strength of the

horse. And the horse has matured in this last year. Could it get him

anywhere near that score of Charlotte's, 82.550? He an important

part of that silver medal in Achen, together with the silver in the

worlds. He has already done a pirouette and he is going to go into

canter. A high degree of difficulty. He has not got down the first centre

line yet. He is upping his game. Getting these free styles into that

degree of difficulty. So he can really be competitive with the very

best in the free style. And the very best go over 90% when it is their

day and there are these days a lot in the 80s. But this man know what

is it takes. Music compiled by Tom Hunt. I can't

believe how much this horse has matured. That impressive start

continued. Carl came up with this technical regime to try and give him

the edge over Charlotte on Utopia. This is the final line. Has that

floor plan been enough? Carl is thrilled. This man has done more

than anyone can believe for British dressage and he deserves a big one.

He really does. Here is the moment for Carl Hester. Was that floor plan

good enough it looks as if it is 83.75. He has never won this Olympia

round and that will mean so much to him. What a night for British

dressage. Carl Hester government his first win at Olympia. He has been

hearing the national anthem for Charlotte Dujardin, but this time it

was for him. It feels fantastic. It feels fantastic, because I'm sot

excited about this horse. It might not be a made I have won, but it is

a huge class. I took the rule book and read it, ands I was like this

said it is difficult and I will put everything into except the kitchen

sink and made it as difficult as I could. I had to do that, because

this horse isn't the physical specimen of the others, but he has

the brain of the gold medallist. I was very happy. He has not competed

for nearly two years and to come here, we won the Grand Prix

yesterday and he felt fresh and alive yesterday. He was a bit tired

today. A few blips. But I was really happy. He tried really hard. In some

ways is there less pressure when your not riding Valegro? Yes I can

just have fun. I have so much fun with Valegro, but I have that

pressure to be at the top all of the time. So yeah it is really nice to

have that change. The horse is turning into something I never

thought he was. And with Rio only what is it now eight months away,

that is exciting that I'm getting that score now. That was my first

attempt at it. It is a difficult programme. You can't wait. You love

your champagne. I thought we would do a toast. Cheers. That is

gorgeous. The merry couple! And great teamwork. Charlotte, where do

you think by the time you get to Rio that you and Nip Tuck will be? I

will be standing next to Charlotte I'm hoping on a podium. Valegro is a

one in a million, so I don't know whether we will achieve that. But we

have to think about a team medal and with Valegro and Nip Nuk and Fiona's

horse and the talent that is coming along at senior level, I don't see

why we can't repeat what happened in London and what sports can you have

a glass of champagne when you finish. Most poor sports people have

to go to bed with a sandwich and a glass of kwaert! Water! !

Tim, a word on Charlotte Dujardin, she's a rider you know. A lot of

people think of her as dressage mostly, but she spent time at your

yard? That's right. She had a few lessons with us at 15-year-old. We

could see she was always going to be a good rider. We are absolutely

thrilled she's turned into a great rider. How different are the skills

from dressage to a rider? You have to work on suppleness and obedience,

dressage and show jumping are close bed fellows, it's still about horse

and rider working together. Another young lady making the headlines is

19-year-old Jessica Mendosa and what a year she's had.

Youngest rider to represent Britain, British show jumping young rider,

it's not been a bad year? ! No, it's a dream come true actually. In terms

of importance, what is your highlight? I think although my

performance didn't go the best, the show was the best for me because it

was a real learning experience and put me on the map to get the results

that I had at the beginning of the year. I didn't think I would be on

the nation's cup. I couldn't ask for more. What's changed from the

beginning of the year to where you are now? I'm not sure, a partnership

maybe with my horse, we've stepped up to the five star level and can do

it nearly every week. More consistent at that height I think.

It must be nice doing it with that horse because you two have been a

partnership for such a long time, haven't you? It gives us the extra

bit of a bond so we've done it from the beginning, we jumped 1 metre 30

together, now it's 1 metre 60. What does it mean to be back in the UK

with Spirit, how big a deal is it? It's a great deal. I jumped the

Young Riders on here a few years ago and to come back and now do the

Seniors and to have a chance at doing well in the World Cup, it's

great. You and your family have made a big sacrifice, you are obviously

very proud and British, but you decided to move to Europe to further

your career? Yes, it was a family decision and because of the

travelling from England to Holland is eight hours every time and it's

also hard to get the younger horses out because you have to prioritise

taking the good horses to the international shows so now I can go

every weekend with different horses and a lot less travelling. In terms

of riders you looked up to when you were younger, who were those riders?

I think I would say the Whittaker family because, yes, they were all

out there, all of them were winning and now to compete alongside them

it's really nice. Lovely to see new partners and young riders coming

through and there seems to be huge strength and depth? We have older

and younger ones and we have so much talent in England and people need to

find the right horses. We have really great combinations coming

through. What about your chances for Rio, where do you think they are?

Hopeful. If Spirit jumps well the rest of the year, I could have a

chance. I would almost have to do more than the other team members

because they have so much more experience and more probably to be

considered. So in order for me to get on the team, I need to do my

best. She is doing her best because on

Friday night she showcased the talents in spectacular style. Just

look at this! I was told of this jumpoff round she did. They said,

unless you saw how fast she went, you wouldn't believe it. The term

rising star is overly used in my opinion but I think this young

lady's set for big things. Every time she steps up a level, she's not

daunted by it. Look how aggressive she is, she's really going for the

win there, everything about the way she's riding, confidence, and a real

panache, look at that! Interesting because that time was saved between

one and two, at that point no-one chose to go that route, she wanted

to. After that, everybody else followed her but she was still

quickest. How good a rider do you think she is? Again just what you

said there, nobody had done that turn, she backed herself, went

really positive. A lot of people talk about the mental toughness

you've got to have for this sport. This young lady had it in spades

because she's not frightened by the competition and she's literally

going for the win so failure is not an option as far as she's concerned.

She wants to win. That's half the battle. The horses are warming up

for the World Cup qualifiers. Jessica Mendoza is in that with

Spirit. Who are you looking out for, 36 starters? A A lot of people could

win it. There are some really good pairings today. My eye is drawn

towards Torniche and Johnson. She goes well at Olympia, so she'll try

to make a counting round. That is a horse that only has one eye? Yes.

Which you think would be tricky? Massive trust. This is the highlight

of her winter season, for sure. Robert Whittaker's gone well on

catwalk, dad John I think is favourite with the bookies, the

first course suits him, it really does. A man who is riding on top of

his job. Has a strong challenge from one or the two of the Germans. I

just look at it and when he walked the course, he looked like a man

really in the zone. What is it about the horse that you love so much?

He's a class animal. His record says he's capable of doing it. That was

an uncharacteristic mistake he made there. He's not on top form. After

today he'll be firing on all cylinders. We mentioned Jos Verlooy,

in the Puissance with Sunshine, how odd is that to have a Puissance then

turn up for a World Cup? 20 years ago that was nearly everybody's

route to the Grand Prix training, jumping over a big wall, get the

horse on the back foot, using himself, then he'd be ready for the

Grand Prix. It's changed a lot. To get a horse that's so brave here for

a Puissance and so careful for these type of modern day courses is a very

rare thing. He said he did it in Washington just because there

weren't so many classes for the horse, worked very well, the horse

jumped fantastic in the World Cup. He's doing it again trying to

replicate the training. Tim had a fun course walkout but here is the

virtual tour. Just having a look at this huge

course. Quickly out of the corner over here, then a left handed run to

a vertical which is an interesting part of the course. A lot of space

all the way past the entrance back to the triple bar at 3. Five strides

down to the corner. Very difficult turn here. This comes quickly,

combination. A vertical coming in and out. Big Ox for the middle, both

on one strides and left-handed then running, six strides up to number 7.

Big Oxer across the middle. So tight off the corner, interesting part of

the course. That is going to cause a few problems. Then across to a very

delicate style on six strides. Another vertical. This is a very

careful koushes and we've got the huge fence coming up now that Tim

talked about earlier. This one on five or six strides. 170-plus wide

then four strides to a light vertical towards the entrance.

Quite a big field, 36 in a World Cup is pretty big. Lots of stars there

on that page. O'Connor one of the favourites. Been in good form and

has a God record on this arena. On page two, Jos Verlooy outstanding

for a 20-year-old. Delestre for France is one of the favourites for

me. Brash is there. Ehning, really improving. And of course the

European champion of 2009. On that page alone, Deusser, Eckermann,

Allen, all three good enough to win this. It's quite open as far as this

London round of the World Cup is concerned. The Western European

League is one of 16 leagues around the world that lead to the final in

Gothenburg in March. The venue at Gothenburg one of the most famous

ones. The finals have been held there 14 times that this

competition's been run. It has made show jumping the most universal

sport of the world as far as horses are concerned without a doubt and

it's a very, very big are concerned without a doubt and

actually then goes from Gothenburg out to the outdoor season and leads

on of course to the Rio Olympics. Quite an important road to the big

one this year. We start with France and it is Olivier Robert who retired

from show jumping for two or three years but has come back, has had

some quite good form, had a good second at a Grand Prix in Salzburg.

His horse quennelle is an 11-year-old. His best form was on

the Moroccan tour. They have a World Cup tour there, he finished third in

the World Cup there. One has to say it's not as competitive as this

Western European League, that is the most competitive league in the world

Andy isn't it? This is certainly in the big time. This is a difficult

mare to ride in such a small arena. The bridle is controlling her.

Three strides and the five strides working very nicely there. There's

the quick turn. Interesting off the corner straight into the

combination. Tremendous scope there. Looking good so far. This is the

next really difficult part of the course. So tight off the corner,

right by the edge of the arena. Nicely done. Now, just to remind

you, the time allowed, 69 seconds. Always interesting the first one to

go, he's kept up a very big canter. Still clear and well inside the

time. APPLAUSE

A live aye wouldn't be rasheded as one of the favourites and he's

jumped one or two decent rounds this week and that certainly looks a very

good start for the French man -- Olivier. Fabulous round all the way,

kept up a good pace. Might be a bit deceiving for other riders who

watched that thinking the time is going to be quite easy because this

mare does really cover the ground. Huge amount of scope. Stayed careful

all the way. Looks to me as though we could get a few clear rounds

here. The course designer from Portugal spent a lot of time with

Bob Ellis and the team under Bob in London 2012.

We could have a very special afternoon's sport here. Guy

Williams, one of Britain's torch riders for many years, riding the

horse owned by Guy, Titus, the horse that he won a team bronze on in the

Europeans in 2011 in Madrid. Then sold on and came back to Guy and

he's winning some decent classes, went out in Spruce Meadows and is

also a good Grand Prix winner in France, on Titus.

Titus one of those incredibly powerful horses but he does get

quite strong. Guy doing a great job of keeping him steady and balanced

so far. Maybe we are going to get some clear

rounds today. This isn't the biggest course, it's technical, the fences

come quickly, the second rider, two fences to go. And are we going to

get another clear? Just buffers the last but it stays. He too inside the

time. We've seen the time isn't going to be a big influence. Titus

came slightly on an angle into the double at 8 but stayed really

careful all the way, big stretch over the second last. This isn't the

biggest course, two clears already. Best it's been very much the feature

of the design this week, a lot of clear rounds to start with. Funnily

enough as the competition's gone on, the clear rounds have tended to thin

out. Now it's Sweden's very experienced rider who started off

very many years ago based with Mark Todd, but he's now very much part of

the Swedish team, he was in the nations cup winning team,

Fredricson, Peder, he was in the team that finished second in

Rotterdam. Solid competitor, good win indoors in Stockholme some six

weeks ago and has had a win here this week.

That line, the three and the five, riding extremely level.

So Frederickson. Are we going to get another clear? The course jumping

extremely well at the moment. Six strides nice and comfortable.

Just the last and another one. It is three clear round out of Klee.

Three. One for Sweden. Three horses round, three clear. Guy, how is it

riding? It has rode all right. It is not the biggest in the world, but it

is tight and everything comes quick. So it was fine for me. How do you

think your horse goes in an arena like this in a jump off. My horses

are all better in jump offs. We will try our best. We will see. Thanks.

Back inside now Nicola Philippaerts, very dedicated twins. Son of Ludo,

who was a great winner here on. Nicola has had a very good series on

the circuit, which counts in the western European in the United

States. Had two very good placings in third place on that American

circuit. Oh. Sorry to stop you. He came off the corn we are a forward

stride and had a completely wrong distance. Jumped straight into the

middle of the triple bar. That was a nasty bar. Thanky with the modern --

thankfully with the modern jumps they disintegrated. The first rider

to fault. But in a very spectacular one. Certainly worth having another

look at that. Settled things down. He was trying to keep a strong

rhythm around the corner and you rarely see riders at this level make

such a big mistake. He really was half a length off. Around very

quickly. But three fences down. Quite costly. Washington and Las

Vegas he had some good performances. But he finishes on 12. You see he

took off and he didn't know whether to put another stride in or not. The

horse kind of shut his eye and jumped straight into the middle of

the fence. But he is our first rider to have any faults. That is a round

he probably wants to forget. In comes Britain's William Whittaker.

The stable jockey for Michael Whittaker and had some good horses

to ride over the years. Now riding from his own yard. And he is riding

well. But he is realising to ride for yourself, finding horses and

things isn't easy Pisi. But he had a good win last night. He is in form.

But he has not jumped in this sort of company very often in the last

two or three months. Let's just study William's riding.

If you look at his technically, his lower leg position, his upper body

balance and the way he uses his aids is copy book. As Mike was saying, he

won a brilliant jump off class lapt. -- last night. If anyone wants to

really back a rider and send a rider to the top of the world rankings in

the way that Scott Brash got the backing a few years ago, this is the

man with the quality. I would agree with that. Just coming down to this

last line. Still clear. Oh! What a shame! Down goes the last. No

problem with the time. I gave him the big build up. He didn't quite

produce the clear round. But he is still worth watching. He has got

tremendous feeling for his horse and Fandango can get strong at the end

of the course and four strides there, he quickened. So

unfortunately William just ran a bit close to the last fence. William's

wife just talking to him as they walk out. Herself a very successful

show jumper. They have a lovely young family. Back in the ring, a

man who lives in southern Germany, rode for Germany for a number of

years. But last year, 2014, he switched to Austria and he has had

some good performances for Germany. He will be a bonus for the

Austrians. Max Kuhner riding Cornet Kalua. He

was ninth at Stuttgart. So far in Europe, there have been six rounds.

This is the seventh. It continues after Christmas. Leading to that

final in Gothenberg in March. As you were saying about the breeding. Very

unusual. Nearly every one of the horses seems to be grey, but this is

a distinctive dark brown. But a dark jumper. A lot of scope. Very

difficult to control these big horses around such a tight arena. He

is getting a bit strong towards the end here. Another one with the one

down. It is amazing how the formula has been clear rounds to start with

and in fact it didn't fall. It was clear for Max Kuhner. You see the

power down the combination. Big jumper. Just got a bit strong at the

end. But well ridden. Four strides towards home with the water tray

beneath that last vertical. The horses just getting a bit tense. The

Olympic bronze medallist. Cian O'Connor. He wasn't due to qualify

for the individual many London. One horse dropped out so, he got in and

climbed the rankings to win the bronze. He is a really strong

competitor. Riding this nine-year-old Super Sox. His top

horse opt way to floor Da -- his top horse opt way to Florida. Cian's

very clever at finding new horses. This is a typical Cian O'Connor

horse. A bouncy character. But a massive leap off the floor. He is

only nine and you can see him having to work quite hard to make it

happen. This is a horse that has impressed a lot of people with

tremendous amount of ability. We are getting the clear round and we are

not used to seeing that. We normally have fewer and bigger, wider oxers.

A big stretch there. Lucky at the last. So he joins the clear rounds.

That is five different countries through now, Ireland included. Such

bad luck on the last one. He is a horse that does get stronger to the

end of the course. Yes especially in a ring like this. It is a ring he

always struggles with, the with the crowd so close to the ring and a lot

of atmosphere. He has improved from last year. Last year he was really

spooky. He jumped a great round. Just unfortunate with the last. You

had a great win last night. Yes that was great for everyone. Up to now

the horses have been going well. So that bit of luck last night helped

the job along. Thanks. Now Geir Gulliksen, a man known to

even as Jimmy! And he has a daughter making a name for herself. Went well

in the puissance to finish equal third. You might note that Jimmy

wearing a pullover. He has had a bit of blood pressure problems. So he

has been allowed to wear this special clothing. You normally have

to wear a jacket. But Jimmy being given permission to wear that. He

was in trouble down that line. I thought he was going to pull up. He

sat back and dropped his reins. Just struggling a bit.

With the number of clear rounds we have, any riders with faults, you

may see some of them decide to retire if they have no chance of

getting any prize money. Jimmy battling on. He has just the one

down. Jimmy doesn't retire easily. He wants to get through. He is a

real competitor. He has some nice young horses. He is meaning to go on

in the sport for a few years yet. He wouldn't be one of the youngest of

the circuit. He goes home on eight, two fences down, eight faults. Have

another look here. This is the early part of the course. Landed on the

back rail and it unsettled. He slipped his reins and did well to

recover and get down the line. That very wide oxer. That oxer is 175

wide. It is a very wide fence. Now the turn of France's Filipe Leonie.

He rides for a very strong stable in Belgium. This man part of that team.

He had time away from show jumping, four years actually, came back two

years ago. And getting the job there would see him in the big time. He

went out on that Moroccan tour and had some good placings down there.

We had that mass of clear rounds at the start. And just as you would

expect, this course is no walk in the park. And we are just seeing one

or two riders having a few fences now. Perhaps bringing it back into

perspective. Long way off the oxer but he cleared

that one. Had to fight to get the four strides. He got that rattle on

it but it stayed up. They're quite lucky there. But it is two down, a

total of eight for the Frenchman. The plank has ridden quite well.

That was unlucky, just a light touch with the back legs. Qlassic course

builder's trick. The sport of show jumping has got

some very exciting young men and women and this is one of them. He is

20. Just last week. Jos Verlooy, son of the very big dealer, who has

dealt some wonderful, big time transactions and Jos made his

appearance as a 17-year-old for Belgium. Now he's key part of

Belgian team who have had their best season for many years. They won the

nations cup in Barcelona. He stated it was his warm-up, like

he did in Washington, he got World Cup points there. A very big jumping

horse this, Sunshine. Very powerful horse. You see there, Jos had to

work extremely hard to shorten up. Sunshine gets quite strong and it's

all getting a bit untidy out the corner. Just shows, you can have all

the power in the world, but if you don't have the control and can't

keep the balance off the way around the course, things really start to

unravel. Just over half way through the

Western European League where you can take the best six results, all

his points were actually set up on the North American circuit and he's

currently lying in fifth place but he's not going to add any here. He

ends up with four down on 16 faults. Certainly Sunshine would Son be much

more suited to a big arena. It's so difficult to control a horse as big

and powerful as this. Then he started getting his head and one

fence after another coming down. Crossing his jaw and pulling at the

last fence. Currently, it's Spain that have

qualified. This man is very much part of that. He's had four placings

on the Quinn circuit so far, started in Oslo, then went to Helsinki. Had

some good results. Spain have had a great record but spent probably 20

years in the doldrums and are coming back. He feel a stillful team of

which this man is one. The son of Lewis, he's technically absolutely

brilliant to watch -- skilful. A lot of flat work to get his horse under

control. If he gets the right horses and breaks, he can really go to to

the top of the sport. Certainly in your world, Mike, in

the eventing world, you would know all had been his father? One of the

most respected men there is in the horse world. New Zealand use him as

their show jumping expert and everyone knows he is very talented.

And this boy is very much following in his foot steps, I have to say.

It's one down. We'll hear more of this young man, Eduardo Alvarez

Aznar. That was unfortunate. Ran a little

tight, fighting for his head to the style and just the one time as well.

Andreas Schou, his brother ran a really big competition in Denmark,

both of them, but particular hi Andreas, he's been part of Denmark's

international teams in recent times. Denmark wouldn't be regarded as

being at the forefront of international show jumping, but they

put some good teams together in what is like the Second Division in the

nation's cup league. A very capable horse. You can see

another horse with a big power and capable engine, maybe towards the

end of the course, might just get a bit strong.

Looked to have a good balance and rhythm coming into that double.

Front legs on to the back rail there. I think it's so close to the

edge of the arena. Sometimes the horses just tense up.

Huge amount of power over the second last, but makes too much ground up.

Into the last fence. Two fences down, it's 8 for Andreas Schou.

Very difficult to get the horses straight into that double as well.

If you look at the angle on the replay, it's most of the horses

having to jump in slightly across it. That difficulty with that last

fence, it's so wide. The second last, the horse is on their heads

coming down the four strides. Sweden now, who have qualified for the Rio

Olympics. This is Johan Lundt. He's had a good start to the winter

series. Very good class in the competitive Stockholme

international. -- Johann Lundh. So often when the big one comes,

everyone pulls out the stops. What fascinates me, it's been a real

trend here at Olympia on these courses that we start out with a

sequence of clear rounds, sometimes more than we've had tonight, and

then suddenly, just as we are getting now, it starts to come. I've

got to give you credit, because you did call that and that's what's

happened. Loads of clears at the beginning and we thought maybe we'd

get 20 or something and suddenly a lot of fences coming down, so full

marks to you there, you definitely got that one right. Is there money

on the end of that? ! LAUGHTER

Back to the jumping. A good round here, just the one fence down. Good

effort. Another rider finding it tough to

get the straightness and balance and produce the jump into that big

number 8, so quick off the corner. There goes Johan Lundh of Sweden

and, in the ring, one of the big sporting stars for Sweden, it is

Malin Baryard-Johnson. Riding the variety talented horse with one eye.

Had one or two problems in the past but at his best is very good indeed.

She's very open about it, Malin thinks this is the best show in the

world, loves it. She brings her family and the Swedish people follow

her every move here in London. Great to see this horse back in the sport.

The way he's jumping there, he's really getting in the air. Let's

just hope she can get round, get into the jumpoff. These two have

been a top class combination for so many years.

Been to ten World Cup finals. So that is a fantastic record to

qualify in what is a very tough qualifying. Bit of a wobble there. A

lovely ride. A lovely round. I think it was Tim who had his money on Mali

and he could be right -- Malin. Fantastic to see Malin into the

jumpoff. Tim Stockdale's tip. Let's see if he's right in the next round.

Well, now, Robert Whitaker, Catwalk for me, his top horse now, finished

fourth in this class last year behind the two Germans.

And he's had quite a good season. Had a bit of ill health, wasn't well

after the Horse of the Year show. Had a bit of tame away. Now back to

his best, won the first class on his day here and he was in the nation's

cup team in Rome which went very well.

Hugely powerful, Holstein powerful horse but sometimes doesn't focus

and concentrate. A slightly lazy jump mid combination. This is where

he's got to really concentrate on his job.

Four strides there, really went for it. Has got so much power.

Great decision there. Extra stride in and he's over the time! What a

shame. Well, he took the extra stride to the second last and that's

given him a time fault. It's a bit of a Whitaker problem, one has to

say. Father, brother, they've always had the odd time fault from time to

time and this one matters for Robert. Yes, it's a great shame for

Robert because he did the right thing, he didn't want to have a

flyer to the second last so that he had the balance to jump the last.

But unfortunately, he's paid for it. Time out of 69 seconds and one time

fault for every second. That is where that one fault comes from from

Robert and Catwalk. Now, the young lady that's stormed the

international show jumping world, Jess Mendoza, Spirit T. Had a

fantastic time here Friday night and an important member of the team that

got qualification for Britain when they finished fourth in the nation's

cup, the European Championships in Germany. Really came of age then,

Andy? It was a true test of character for Jess. Always had

unbelievable self-confidence but when she was up against it, that

last round in Arken, she delivered. She certainly did. Tin Nished in the

top three in Helsinki, got no fears, this girl -- finished. I was in

Helsinki and she took on everyone there and went flat out, like she

did this week, won her big class already this week. Let's hope she

gets into the jumpoff, she'll thrill the crowd if she does. No, last

fence! Looked to have it in the bag and jumped a little right-handed.

Just have a look at this. Came down on the perfect four strides, but

just watch. Moved a little right handed in the air and I think Jess

looked back, she felt she wasn't quite getting the jump.

A beautiful round and that horse gives so much. He does. He was quite

a difficult course for us. Many of the difficult jumps comes off his

right. A bit like the triple bar, he has to stretch on that one, because

he sees it late and that makes him trying a bit harder. He is missing

his right eye, so h right-handers are difficult. You must fancy your

chances? Yes I love this place and my horse loves the place. It is

always very hard to win here. Because the jump-offs are so quick

and we have a bit of a handicap with the right side. But I'm going to

give it a go. Good luck thank you. We are with another rising star for

Finland, well went in the European young riders a couple of years ago

and now is making her mark at the top level. Jumped well in the Geneva

Grand Prix. It is Anna Giulio Continuo. She has gone well. He got

pipped in the jump off behind John Whittaker. Earlier in the week. But

she has a fence down. It amazes me, we have seen a lot of superer

courses here, but they have used every inch of the arena, to the

walls and back. It is very noticeable. Yes, it is so

interesting how we are getting riders finding the odd fence here

and there. Another unlucky four-faulter. Just fighting a bit to

get the balance and control. That was an unlucky hit to have. This

young lady is starting to impress with her couple of horses around

these five-star shows. If there is one man who has made his mark it is

think man, Simon Delestre. He rides Chessal. He won the silver in the

European individual Championships and part of French team that was

second in the worlds in Normandy. He has had a a great one in the World

Cup. In the European league he is second. He is I think you can

described, on fire. He has been around for a good few years, but has

suddenly got two or three world class horses and he is one of those

French riders with tremendous flair. Against the clock he is electric.

But we are not going to see that today. That is a shame. He has

rocketed up the rankings. He is fourth at the moment. But he has had

some very good performances on his new horse in the last three weeks.

Finishes on eight. That is one of the favourites out. This is a big

horse and finding the arena tight. He has to give him a reminder.

Having done that, things got a bit out of balance and that is when you

start having those annoying verticals. Disappointing round for

Simon. If the crowd haven't told you, let me tell you, this is a man

called John Whittaker. You may have heard of him. He has been at the top

of the sport for the best part of 45 years. Amazing. And I might add he

is riding better than ever. That is what I think of the crowd, he says.

I'm going to show you. He has been absolutely brilliant this horse

Argento. John's always thought a lot of him. And it is all since he has

matured, come of age. There are classes which John know what is this

horse is good at and he has targeted that. Will it be now? Well, we are

looking at an interesting scenario. When we spoke to the Bernardo who

built the course he said it could suit Argento. There is only one wide

oxer. He is so careful and he is not a lover of wide fences. John had to

work hard down the combination. He doesn't have the biggest stride. He

has the next oxer into the double to jump, which will be tough. John, he

is working for it. John is giving it 110%. As he always does. But the

next test will be the second last. He will have to work and no that is

the oxer that has caught him. It was always an oxer that wz maybe going

to be a problem. What a pity. The man has been riding so well this

week. Leading rider at the start of the day. But he is not going to add

to it in the World Cup. He bows out with 8. John did such a brilliant

job. You can see him running out of petrol down the last two big oxers.

Argento is a brilliant vertical jumper. John couldn't get the old

boy to clear the last two. He is still ever green. He still loves it.

You can see the arm band, that signifies he is leading rider.

And Ben Ben Maher without a top team. The horse has had to do a lot

of work. He has been crucial to Britain's season. Not only

qualifying for Rio in Germany, but also for a brilliant performance in

the nations Cup Final in Barcelona, where Britain finished second behind

Belgium. This man put in again a faultless performance. He rode his

luck there. This is a combination that we expect to see on the British

team in Rio. This mare came of age here last year winning the Grand

Prix. She is only ten years old. British bred by the Edgars. One to

go. Ben is in form. He won the Masters here yesterday in great

form, with a young horse, and he as you can see is riding very

competently and very well. Ben Maher and Diva II, it is clear round the

second. Ben producing the clear. A couple of times he had to work. She

is quite opinion ated as she goes around the corners. Ben is so

effective. The other man that is jumping in this class that helped

Britain to that gold medal in London. Now Scott Brash, the world's

No 1. He has been nearly two years at the top of the world rankings.

About a month not off. He has had another great season. Particularly

with that amazing three world class Grand Prix victories. One wonders if

it will ever be done again. It is a young horse, only nine, Hello

M'Lady. It is a big ask. You can see with this mare, she is very sharp.

She has a lot of blood. Scott's got to try and control the balance. She

almost looks like a thoroughbred, which makes her quite sharp. She is

tremendously athletic. Very powerful. Watch her fight for her

head. Scott doing a brilliant job. Keeping her calm. He has had some

good placingsen this. He was third in ve Rhona. He has take an flyer

there. The crowd will love that. Britain's representation are

beginning to fill out. That is the third clear round for Great Britain.

This is Scott Brash at his best. This mare is very talented, but

needs to feel and the sympathies that Scott can bring to the table.

He went forward on the six strides to the second last and I don't know

how he managed to produce the balance at the last fence. But that

is Scott. So much feel for his horses. He muched his cheek -- he

puffed his cheeks there. He knew he did well. This is one of greats of

Germany. He has won four Olympic golds, including individual gold. It

is the great Ludger Beerbaum. Still in the top ten in the world on this

lovely mare, Chiara. Has been a big winner for him. Has won two big

Grand Prixs. At Munster and Mannheim. He has not been as

consistent and fallen down the rankings a bit. He was world No 1 on

many occasions. But there is a lot of good riders out there. Even the

big guns like Ludger are finding it tough. Yes finding a fence there.

Ludger, it is great to have him at the show. He is a legend in the

sport. His record is probably in Championships second to none. As you

say, last month or two just been having the odd fence here and there.

Chiara is so talented. It is disappointing to have that lazy back

rail. Very lucky not to have another one. He finishes with just the one

in the end. But it will be one too many. He has featured in this World

Cup round here in London in the past. Married to an English lady. He

likes coming here to London. There is the fence just landing a little

steeply. So frustrating. Now for the Netherlands Michael van

der Vleuten. He is riding AreraC. He finished sixth. He is 18th in the

western European league. He had a good season. The Netherlands won the

European team Championship. Michael was part of that. As he was with the

world gold in nor Manedy. Where the - Normandy. They didn't get in the

first three there. Michael had a disappointing show, but the horses

have come back to form. A rarity, only ten years old, but looking like

a fantastic replacement for Verdy, which is his main top horse.

Another rider that is bred to be in the saddle. His father Eric, a

fantastic trainer in Holland, a brilliant rider in his own right. He

has had a great grounding from day one. Oh, unlucky fence. That is a

shame. We keep seeing a few niggling four faults. This course is doing

its stuff. And remember, we have at the moment eight clear rounds. Show

jumping can be so cruel. Just that little lack of concentration, you

can see the back legs didn't release on the big oxer. Well this

combination we see in the ring now is one that is many people's idea of

a winner here. It is another Dutchman, Jur Vreiling. On this very

good grey horse, Zirocco Blue NOP. NOP is an important thing to watch

for the Dutch, it means it is a horse that is retained in the

ownership of the Dutch federation so, they can use its for teams.

This is a horse who has proper Olympic scope. Used the seeing him

in much bigger arenas. But Vreiling is very competitive.

In the World Cup series, he's been in very good form. Went well both in

Helsinki and Oslo. And he's done it again! No, in fact, he has got

inside the time and jumped clear. So he is now clear round number 9.

A good start to that, nice clear round. She was really trying hard,

wasn't she? She was. She's never going to change, she is how she is,

has an opinion around the course but when she's fighting for me like that

with the jump, as long as I get where I need to be, she's helping me

out. Difficult course for her today, very tight distances. Not really

seated to her, but it shows how much she's improved over the last year

that she can cope in every environment. Good look in the

jumpoff. Thank you. The stars are here. In fact, there

are 15 riders out of the top 30 world ranking riders. And here is

another one with a great Olympia record and a great record

internationally. Olympic gold, he won his team gold in Sydney. Marcus

loves coming here to another rider. Always here every year. This horse

has been jumping at this level for a year, just beginning to come good

and get some very decent results. 15 World Cup finals Marcus has done and

he's won three. Very good record for Marcus Ehning. The stallion having a

play around the corner there, needs to keep the concentration.

If you watch Marcus, he's always coming forward, always fleeing,

really attacking this last line. That man at his best is fantastic to

watch. Another clear win tore the jumpoff. Scott, it doesn't look the

easier course to get into a rhythm on. How is it riding -- winner to

the jumpoff? It's twisty-Turney and everything comes up fast. Happy with

the horse? Yes, a little sharp at the end but I was happy with how she

jumped. Good luck in the jump-off. Thanks.

. Another world star, it is Kevin Staut, a classic win in Windsor and

he's been top of the world rankings many times. Not just at the top at

if very moment but he's in the top ten -- the very moment. He's riding

this afternoon and he's done six World Cup finals and he had some

very good form in Paris recently. Won a class there and was fifth in

the World Cup in Oslo. So frustrating for Kevin, just a

lazy jump at the first fence. Always a long way around the course. Not

much chance of any prize money but Kevin carrying on. At this stage of

the proceedings, you could ask me who I'd put my money on. Let me

think, could it be a Frenchman? Marcus Ehning. I waited until he

jumped clear before I revealed it! Cheeky. He's made mincemeat of the

rest of the course and that first fence very expensive. He'll be

kicking himself. Another big gun gone. Plenty still in, one has to

say. Ten clears. 11 left to go. Kevin did absolutely nothing wrong.

Horses for you, they are not machines. Didn't focus and after

that, jump add lovely round on Reveur de Hurtebsie. The one Italian

rider that's at Olympia this year, and he certainly is there, ranked

25th in the world, eman and he's not the

most stylish but very competitive -- Emmanuel. This horse is such a

trier. Not all the scope in the world but sometimes it's not always

scope that counts, it's the horse's attitude. These two are a pair of

fighters and work very hard for each other.

The big one for this horse. Great effort. Oh, what a round. Typical of

the Italian. He's been managed by one of the best managers there is in

the sport and he's certainly focussing the Italians. Emanuele

Gaudiano, you've got to give him and his horse 11 out of ten for effort,

fighting all the way. And that's what counts. Jumped his clear round.

There's Ben Maher looking very pleased with himself. And you can't

blame him. He's been in good form this week.

Pius Schwizer, produces a lot of horses and often sells them on. Back

again with some good horses making that team begin to tick. This horse

owned by Peter, PSG Future, which was ridden very successfully by

Martin Foulkes, but now with Pius. These two not really clicking. They

have had a few in-out rounds over the last couple of months and this

is another round where they are not just 100% on the same wavelength.

Pius is one of those riders who pulls off an amazing feat of being

able to sell horses and produce new ones, but this one not really

operating. You can see he looks a bit tight, a bit tense. I'm

surprised that Pius is carrying on. Jumps the last. 16. That's for PSG

Future. Things just started to go wrong

quite early on. Triple bar, didn't make the stretch over the wide

fence. Then got really tight in his shoulders over one or two others.

Into the combination having all sorts of problems.

Now Germany, a man who won this World Cup last year here, Marco

Kutscher, riding Chaccorina. He's got an amazing record of stable

jockeys that he's mentored. This man a European champion. He

finished 11th in the World Cup final last year. Showing some good World

Cup form, gone well in Madrid, Verona and Stuttgart. Can uh now

repeat last year's victory? -- can he now. Fabulous mare, incredible

amount of ability. Marco's very tall and makes this horse look a bit

smaller than she is, but she's massively powerful and scopy. Lovely

control and balance as well there. Lucky at the last. But he goes

through incident. -- goes through incidentally. Lovely round there.

Just that little bit of luck at the last fence. Quite a few of them have

found the horses pulling down the last line. It stayed up.

Now Britain's leading lady, Laura Renwick, another great season, on

Bintang II. Spends a lot of time on the continent. Been toe Portugal,

Iberia. She's on 64 international classes this year and been in very

good form -- bean to. This horse has looked sensational this week but

doesn't always feature in the big classes, but one gets the impression

Laura's looking more and more like an international rider than could be

a great benefit to Di Lampard in her nation's cups. It's all about

horsepower. Orlando mare, beautifully bred Dutch breeding and

you would say this is a horse that's definitely going to be useful for

the British teams over the next season or two.

As we know with Laura, if she gets into the jumpoff, she's so fast and

brilliant against the clockth clock. It would be brilliant to see her in

the next round. Fantastic round. She's through. She's maintaining the

form and that's good to see. Another for Britain.

So, 13 clears already into the jump-off which is what we had last

year and still one or two to go. Brilliant round there from Laura

Renwick with her young nine-year-old, really looking every

inch top Grand Prix horse. Certainly. Robert Whitaker will be

disappointed. I've seen happier faces. Can't blame him. It's what it

means to people. Here is another one who's been showing cracking good

form, both here at this show and elsewhere in Europe, was second in a

very strong Grand Prix in Deportivo La Coruna in Spain ten days ago.

A fascinating rider to watch because he rides with short stirrups and

long reins and if you watch him over the fence, he looks as though he's

leaning back and hanging on but he has his own style and is a very

effective rider. He's another rider that really loves a gallop against

the clock. man, Just leaning back to get the

balance. He could be a real danger. He has got a good draw and Germany

looking strong. This contender mare, she has got fabulous ability, stays

careful, makes a good shape all of the way and as Mike said could be a

danger in the jump off. Now they will have the draw and they know

what they have got to beat when they get in the ring. All the stars are

out at play. Because here is the Olympic champion of 2012, the great

Steve Guerdat from Switzerland. He won the big Grand Prix in Geneva

just a week ago with his Olympic horse. But he has brought here

another good course -- good horse, Corbinian. He has some good

horsepower these days. Can he join the 14 others? If he can, he has a

good draw. It shows the depth of horsepower they have. This

nine-year-old will have an enormous amount of ability and look at and

height down the combination. It is fabulous to watch. Well looking at

the last four, after Steve Guerdat, you wouldn't be surprised frankly to

have clear right across the board. They're that talented. We had a

discussion today about how many clears and we all got it wrong. We

didn't envisage so many. You're right.

Just tips the last. But the lightest of tips and the Olympic champion is

looking in great form. That was a lovely round. You must be delighted?

Yes over the moon. He is only nine and this is his first time at

Olympia and he has been double clear and only his second World Cup

qualifier. Are you surprised how many clears we have had? Very. It

walked... Like a proper World Cup qualifier should walk. It is quite

tight. But they're jumping off the grund so well. There is some great

horses and riders. You're pretty good in the jump off, you must fancy

your chances Yes but he is not the most experienced. I will give it my

best shot. Thank you. This man finished second last year. Very

stylish, Daniel Deusser. He has won a World Cup final in Lyon in 2014.

Very much part of the top German team. Another of these tall riders

on a big horse with an enormous amount of power and ability. I think

- just out the corner. We haven't seen a fault there for a while. But

that was a proper mistake. Picking up on something Laura Renwick said,

one of the reasons they're jumping so well is the fantastic ground

here. They are pinging off this surface. That is a real credit to

the show. There is no doubt that any show that has world class footing,

you're going get better jumping. And this sur fafs is doing -- sur fafs

is doing -- surface is doing its stuff. Germany will be a real

danger. They won the World Cup here last year and they're lining up to

do it again. One down for Daniel Deusser.

Another from the Ludger Beerbaum Academy. He actually rides for

Sweden. But he is the stable jockey for Ludger. Henrik Vonn Eckermann.

He has played some part in the Swedish success. One remembers the

bronze they won. This man, very important part of that bronze medal.

He is riding a nine-year-old, Sansibar. Henrik has had a lot of

success and moved up the rankings. It will be interesting to see how

much longer Ludger goes on riding and whether he devotes more time to

training. He is such a brilliant influence on all his pupils, because

they all ride the same way as him. And they all win a lot. This is a

difficult horse to control. Quite strong. Got all the ability. Henrik

did well to hold it together through that double. This one is only nine

as well. Fabulously scopy, but might get a bit tough down to the last

fence. Well ridden. He is through. Oh no he has had the fence. One down

going into the double. Some of the stars have had their problems,

others have given us some good clear rounds. 15 of them at the moment.

Yes it was a late falling pole. He just caught it. That was unlucky.

Two left to go. There is Steve Guerdat look at the

jump off course. Studying the form. Another of the youngsters that are

really just flying to the top rankings. This is 20-year-old

Bertram Allen. He had had a cracking season. Hofs One of the great

thrills was to be on the winning Aga Khan team. There was a huge thrill

to him. He has had some fantastic wins on this horse. Won the Grand

Prix in Stockholm. Quite Easy a horse that Ben Maher rode. But now

being ridden by Bertram Allen. We have spoken about Jessica Mendoza as

an up and coming star, but this young man is still very young. His

temperament is uncanny. He is so cool, so confident. If he carries on

like this, he is going to be a world super star for many years. Giving

this one a brilliant ride so far. Oh he squeaked the last. Ireland has

got two. He joins Cian O'Connor, Bertram Allen and he will have a

good draw. Just because he is only 20, you don't discount this young

man. No right from day one he has had tremendous self-confidence and

he is not afraid to take anyone on. Any situation, he is quick and calm.

Britain so far has Williams, Maher, Scott Renwick through. Will they get

one more. Will they get this man, Michael Whittaker, riding his wife's

Viking. The horse he rode so brilliantly to help Britain win the

gold medal in the Europeans of 2013. Now, he didn't ride this horse in

Achen, but he was crucial in securing the fourth place that got

Britain the qualification for Rio. He has been in good form this week.

He has not great strength in Depp Nith real world classes, but this

horse at his best can pull something special out of the bag. Earlier in

the week, Viking jumped clear in a jump off class, but he elected not

to jump off. He is obviously saving is Viking for this class. This is

the one he wants to win. We have had three Whit kers and none in the jump

off yet. That is quite a stat in itself. Will Michael vindicate his

decision not to jump off by going clear and if he does go clear, as

you say, he has got the draw. He is last in the jump off. Having a

couple of rattles. He has got it! Ehas got it, he has got that good

draw. Will he make the most of it? 17 clear rounds to go. It is going

to be a Qlassic. Here are the 17 that have gone

through. Here they are. All the way down the line there is some great

competitors there. We have so much coming up from

Olympia in the next couple of days. We will be talking with Tim about

that in a moment. If you have been enjoying our action tonight, there

is more tomorrow and the full performance and the Olympia Grand

Prix. That is on the red button. Tomorrow morning at 11, you can see

highlights of all of that. Tim, where to start. 17 clears. That is

over half the field. I know. When we walked the course, we knew it was a

big course and difficult. But the horses have jumped it well. No one

is making it look easy. They're having to work. It wasn't a beauty

pageant. But they were leaving the fences. It has taken a lot of guts.

It will be a very difficult course for the jump-off. It was tricky to

get into the rhythm what will we see? They will strip the course and

there will be more open spaces. One and two is three and five and so you

have a big long gallop and then a turn back and then a chance to drop

a stride, very big parallel and then a gallop and it is then back to a

turn to a double, taking a stride out maybe and then chancing your arm

down the last line to try and see if you can win. I think that is going

to play more into the riders that have the space and size of stride

and can ride at speed. It will be tricky for the guys at the front and

there could be 15 behind them. That is a very different approach. No, in

a World Cup, there will be points at stake and you may see some riders

opting to take a different approach and jump clear or maybe not take

that silly risk and hope for a top four or five place to give them

points for the final. So it will be intriguing. But Bertram Allen at the

end, we were saying, there is no faster rider in a competition than

Bertram and at the end it is hold on to your hats time. Andy can take us

round the course. This is an amazing jump-off for speed. You can take

strides out to an inviting oxer. The plank has been taken away. And you

sweep left-handed back to this, what was an oxer and is now a vertical.

Another gallop to an oxer. There is a long route all the way and who can

dare to turn up to what was No 8? Then that light fence in the middle.

This is the turn that will sort them out. Swinging into the oxer. Can

they take a chance there? And look at that for a long gallop down to

the last fence. It will be thrilling. We mentioned Bartram

Allen and what a year he has had. He had moved to sixth in the world

rankings. He is only 20 and he is a star.

He's really used to winning and again, his DNA in the middle of it

says win, so he's going to be close. Who else will you be looking out

for? Ben Maher would be close in my book sg - ment thank you very much.

We are certainly set for a classic. It's fasten the safety belts. Early

riders, they have to just go for it. As we have spoke about a draw a lot,

the early riders, if they want to get any money now, they've got to

take every chance. They have, they have. It's a good mix of countries,

that's for sure, Netherlands, Austria, Britain, Ireland, a real

classic field and it's France's Olivier Robert to go first.

We'll get an indication of what is going to happen. The fact is, poles

could go flying. So often the big jawmp-offs, the first few overcook

it and we have seen that time and again. It's a lot of pressure to be

a trailblazer. This is what we wanted to see. He's

not taking any chances. As we see so off none show jumping, that extra

bit of pace, the horses lose the carefulness. This will give us a

good idea of what the time can be. This is the crucial turn. Are they

going to gamble around the corner? I think they can take strides out.

You perhaps saw a glimpse of what might happen there with those two

fences down for Olivier Robert. Big scopy mare throwing the font

legs. Once the speed had taken over, you could see the jump flattened

out. Here we go again taking the front rail there, too much pace and

the shape of the jump had gone. It's given us some idea of the time. I

think they might go a bit quicker. I agree. 36 even. That might be being

a bit brave but we'll see. We'll see but this is a man that can go for

it. Yes, Guy Williams loves a challenge against the clock. I

wouldn't necessarily fancy this horse at its best going that fast

but we'll see. Very experienced. He's really attacking. This is

tight. This is what you expect from Guy Williams. Four across the middle

and he's left it. Looked like it was coming down. Some challenge!

Fantastic round, 37. .74 clear. Some performance. The interesting thing

here is that there's 145,000 euros in the pot, 36,000 just a little

more actually and he was after that. That was a brilliant effort. Titus

has got so much stride and scope and he had that bit of luck. That's the

one place where he went on full stride but look at the way he rode

the last two fences. You would think he was riding the Grand National!

Took a stride up, absolutely brilliant. Great to watch.

Speeden with two to come. Peder FredericsonH M all in. You can

take every chance in the book now after that round by Guy Williams,

where he really didn't leave too much anywhere. This is a great

start. Again, that pace is so hard to keep the horses carefully. Slow

down a little bit. Guy Williams' round was really extraordinary and

Titus indoors not the easiest and you see there, control, balance and

rhythm. That kind of pace very difficult. Lost control totally.

Somebody upstairs is looking after him because he hit that style hard

and normally with the modern jumps it wouldn't stay up. But today it

did. Guy's round's going to be tough to beat. Time allowed of 45 seconds

so he's got time faults as well. A rueful smile there. He set off.

He'd obviously seen what Guy Williams had done and thought OK,

I'm going to try to do the same. He's completely overcooked it.

Completely lost his balance and it happens.

Now it's Austria's Max Kuhner. He wasn't getting the chances at

international level that he thought he could.

That's why he moved to Austria. It's been a good move. He's quite

capable. Not sure he's going to get a lot of qualifying points in this

Western European League this afternoon. But he is quite capable.

Always interesting seeing what tactics they go for. Guy's time was

so fast, you can see that he's just trying to jump the clear round, and

if he jumps the last he's got a bit slower. That's clear and he now goes

in behind Guy Williams with four gone. A good tactical move. Plenty

of prize money down the line, plenty of points to be won. A good tactical

round into second place. This man has a very good eye for a

show jumper. He's picked up a lot of very good horses and taken them on

to be international stars. He thinks a bit of this horse and he'll test

it this afternoon. Lovely careful jumper.

Certainly turning untight here. Got a bit of work to do to catch him but

he's having a go. Good effort. Certainly was. Certainly was! 38.51.

He nips in behind Guy Williams in second place in these early stages.

Super Sox is a lovely young jumper. That was a good round. It again

underrhines just how fast Titus and Guy Williams went. Nearly a second

behind and he took all the options, he was trying to keep moving, but

spent a little more time in the air as well. Interesting to see whether

Bertram Allen can beat that time. He'll save every inch of the ground.

Well, off now, goes the second challenge from Sweden, the very

talented Malin Baryard-Johnsson. Tornesch. Not sure this is the

fastest. A lot of galloping here the way guy did this, in fact. Malin's a

naturally forward rider. She's gone just a touch wider here, she's going

to have to pike up some time after that turn. -- pick up some time

after that turn. Such a lovely smooth jump. That's the one guy was

lucky at. Didn't have any luck there. Guy Williams has really set

some target. This is fascinating. 39.85. Malin Baryard-Johnsson.

Lovely and neat here, but just watch the forward strides into that

vertical. A very, very light narrow, little fence, attacking on the four

strides and then the last fence as well.

The thing is, as so often is the case, if you are able and have the

little bit of luck that Guy has and have a quick round, it has the rest

going and it's difficult to get ahead. What are they supposed to do,

you have got to try and beat them. So, this love hi mare bred by the

Edgars, I bet they are jumping up and down.

Diva II ridden by Ben Maher. Such a key member to Britain's defence of

that Olympic title in Rio next year. And this mare could be an important

part of that partnership. The target of Guy Williams' to beat

with Titus. One to two is eight strides. Nothing

they can do to change that. But it's a turn back to the second last and

then taking the stride out to the last that's key.

30 seconds gone. Not too far away. No, he is not. He is not. It's going

to be very close. Oh, he's done it. He has! He has! Wow. 37. 15. So,

half a second. Wow. Fantastic efforts there from Ben. This mare

love this is arena, Ben just slightly shaved off a little bit

down to the second last. Had a brilliant turn into the double. Rode

his luck, as did Guy Williams, and again here. And this was the turn

into the second last and then just kept motoring. Look at that down to

the last fence. Using the power and scope, this mare really does have a

big engine. She does. Now Scott Brash has got a big task on his

hands now, the world number one. Hello M' Lady. To win it, he's got

to go flat out. This is a mare with a future, one wonders is it right to

go flat out as a nine-year-old? Don't doubt it for one second. Had a

skip and a buck there, which didn't help. He's on the pace. This mare

with fabulous athletic ability and a big stride. Really taking a chance.

She was super careful in the double. Here's the turn.

Still got a bit to do. Quite close but I don't think he's quite going

to get there. He's into second place, isn't he? No, third. Yes,

second it is! Second it is. One thing's for sure, we are all getting

our money's worth. This is the most extraordinary jump-off. Scott Brash

and Ben Meyer going head-to-head, fractions of the second in it. I

think if you just watch him down to the last, a little steady, and

that's what cost him. So it is Maher and Williams that are one, two

three. Will they get the rest of the international stars going? Who will

get amongst them? Will this man. Will the Netherlands' Jur Vreiling

be able to push the scores of British riders. This horse is such a

deliberate mover, it is hard. He has to give it his best shot. He is a

very strong lad. You can see there he has got a bit cold off the leg.

This horse doesn't enjoy this type of galloping and whizzing around

corners. He is a clear round jumper in a big ring. Four penalties for

that refusal. Four on the board. He will also have a slow time. He won a

class earlier in the week and got unshipped in the presentation of

awards and the horse ga lopped around and it went viral on YouTube,

he has been having so much stick about it. But there he is. He has

got 12 penalties. The man we thought would be a strong Dutch challenge

goes down the leaderboard at the moment into eighth. He is a fabulous

jumper, but he is suited to the big outdoor arena. Around that corner he

didn't fancy that and he switched off. We are just over half way

through. And we have got now Marcus Ehning. Marcus Ehning, one could

argue his smooth apreach with that free-flowing movement might be

suited. I hope so! The only thing I would say he is very much a

fast-moving blood type of horse that can eat up the ground. Marcus

Ehning. He is not quite on the pace. Good

turn. That was a little quicker. Ooh!

Wonderful leap over that. This is the turn that Ben was so brilliant

and he is a long way off and he has paid for it. Tried to sweep around

the corner without ticking a -- taking a pull, but it was a very

fast time. Would have gone into the lead. But one fence down. That is

the interesting bit, the time is beatable. Whether it is beatable and

leaving the fences up of course is the big question. Well my tip for

the day very close. Not good enough, Austin! Here is the turn. Brilliant

turn there, but he swung into the second last and ended up a bit too

far off. There he was, tried to pick up on the stride early. It wasn't

quite the one he wanted. The show has seen some wonderful

sport. And we have the Grand Prix still to come tomorrow. And now

Italy Emmanuel Gaudiano. Whether the word you used was blood, whether

this horse has got the speed, the thoroughbred bloodlines that brings

the speed, whether this horse has quite got that. He has got a ride

hear the will give it 110%. No doubt about that. Still the leading time

Ben Maher. He is fearless against the clock this man. He rides every

stride. J zh And he got a very good turn around the corner. He is not so