Highlights Equestrian: Olympia Horse Show

Cup. Super careful over the plank.

This is the tough line. Five

committed strides, now you've got to

be really careful. Beautifully done,

that's impressive. This is a long

course, it's been a feature of the

course this week. Here is the spooky

fence. No problems at all, now he's

got to keep his concentration, hold

it together. The last fence. A

lovely way to start. And a very

assured round for William, it's a

clear round but he has incurred on

time fault. Just inside the time

allowed.

It's difficult to judge the

time, he didn't want to rush this

youngster. It is a horse with huge

potential and this is the kind of

young horse we want to see coming

through.

Next riding, Rouge de Ravel

for Great Britain, the hugely

experienced guy Williams.

Some guy Williams jumped this one in

the World Cup, found it hard going

but this course is that bit more

jumpable and on his day Rouge de

Ravel was a very competitive horse.

This course, you see that delicate

plank. All about being careful.

There is only a couple of power

fences on the course.

Guy doesn't have quite the stride.

He put six into that combination but

it worked for him. Just got to watch

the time. 75 seconds, the time

allowed here.

In the end, he has gone inside the

time quite comfortably. It is our

first clear inside the time. Dai

Williams has shown it is possible to

be careful, clear and fast enough.

Watch Guy down here, he's such a

brilliant rider. He lost a bit of

momentum, but you saw the way he

picked up the pace. It is great to

see Guy going clear in this Grand

Prix because he found the World Cup.

He breaks the competition open now.

Next ago riding the Great Britain,

William Whittaker.

We spent many

years watching Irish horses jumping

at Olympia. Not so many these days.

He has found it tough, taking

exception to what should be a

straightforward defence. This isn't

a horse William normally rides. He

has been ridden a lot by Holly

Smith. We saw her in the week

jumping Puissance. They are not on

the same page at the moment. It is

pretty tough to come to a show like

this on a new horse. William is such

a brilliant rider. He can stay cool

now and get things regrouped.

Got into MS with his canter round

the corner. I wonder if he will

retire.

Yes. Didn't really happen

for William Whittaker. The early

refusal and then several poles down

and he has called it a day on Lammy

Beach. Next ago, riding his own

Somali leave, for Great Britain,

Robert Smith.

Interesting reading this one. I have

had a horse by this sire and they

are normally big jumpers. This is a

big horse. Slightly ungainly in his

action. Not quite getting his rhythm

into the first fence for Robert

Smith.

Robert is the son of the

legendary Harvey Smith. He himself

has been a fixture at Olympia for

over a couple of decades.

Rob Smith

has won the World Cup here three

times and that spans over 25 year

career of coming to this show. He is

a hugely experienced rider. We want

to see Robert Smith back at the top

of the sport. He has been a top

rider for the British teams for many

years and there still a lot of miles

left in Robert Smith's riding.

Hopefully he can get a few good

horses together and we can see a lot

more of him. Not finding it very

easy tonight. This isn't his top

horse. Robert battling on.

Has found

it a bit of an effort this evening,

this horse.

When you come in on a

younger horse, it is tough, but you

have got to get them in there and

see what they can do.

16 faults plus

a time fault. But total of 17 faults

but Robert Smith and Cimano E. Just

the one clear so far, Guy Williams.

Didn't stretch over the first fence

and from then on, a few poles coming

down. This horse, not quite At The

Races today.

Next to go, a nine-year-old grey

gelding.

This is Paul Estermann for

Switzerland.

This isn't a horse I

have seen Estermann riders too

often. He's very experienced rider.

He's a bit awkward, but he has the

decency to be careful when he gets

to the fence. Five open strides, no

problem for a big striding horse.

Really efficient down the

combination. Just watch him in front

of the jumps. Sticks his head up in

the air. He is certainly making a

good job of this so far. Keep moving

round the corner. Inside the time,

if we are lucky.

Just! 73.10, inside

the time and clear so two in the

jump off so far, Gary Williams and

now for Switzerland, Paul Estermann.

So the next to jump, Luibanta BH and

Amanda Derbyshire.

It's been

exciting to see Amanda riding here,

based in Florida, and this lovely

Irish mare. A fantastic stallion

that used to be ridden by hopefully

from great sir. As we know, we are

not exactly rolling in top class

combinations for our British teams.

Could these two, out next year? This

mare will be ten next year and

Amanda is clearly turning into a top

world-class rider. Maybe she could

be on some British teams.

Fortunes

can change so quickly, can't they?

Did you hear Amanda in the middle of

the combination? She said "whoa",

could hear the horse jumping

forward. Fabulous round, really

good.

Lots of promise for the

future. Just the one down, and the

frustration evident there for Amanda

Derbyshire. Four faults for Amanda

and Luibanta BH.

A small horse, you

have to push on the five, two very

forward strides, then whoa, sit up.

I like this little mare. There is

Nick Skelton, who she used to work

for in England, giving her a hand.

OK, big cheer now. 12 combination,

and Ben Maher for Great Britain.

Still just the two clears.

As Ben

has said in his interviews, he is

riding one or two different horses,

trying to rebuild his string. But

this eight-year-old, he's had some

good results with this one and it's

an exciting eight-year-old we want

to watch.

If you haven't been with

us this week, we have talked about

ages as well. Eight is the very low

end of the age spectrum in a class

of this calibre.

You've got to

remember this horses just about to

turn nine so it's the end of his

eight-year-old season and you won't

see any horses younger than eight

jumping in a Grand Prix like this.

This is right at the beginning of

his Grand Prix career. And this

one's sir, Winning Mood was

fantastic himself. Ben having to

work hard there. Brilliantly ridden,

we saw him sat up quickly to jump

the combination. Right, come on Ben,

just this last fence.

The time is

fine.

And so is the jumping! Another

Brit into the jump off. Ben Maher on

his exciting young horse, Winning

Good, a clear round. So Paul

Estermann and now Ben Maher, and we

are only 12 combination is broke.

Yes, very exciting, some brilliant

British horses with experienced

riders. Look out Ben sit up and say

come on, you are going to jump that.

And if you thought that cheer was

loud, this one will be louder.

Riding JB's Hot Stuff, Michael

Whitaker.

This is an interesting

horse, bred in England in Britain by

the horse Ellen Whitaker had so much

success on. Michael has had some

form with this one, a recent winner

in Madrid in the Grand Prix there.

So Michael saved this horse for this

Grand Prix.

As you can see, she's not the

biggest but a real big heart. Great

to see this one in the jump off.

Michael, you can't afford to hit

another one that's hard. That was

lucky. In modern sport, you normally

have a fence down if you hit it like

that, especially with those being

collapsible. So can he ride his

luck. He can't, and he did, and he's

inside the time, and that's four in

the jump off. And he wondered

whether there might be a glut of

clears.

This is the jump ball course

and this experienced mare now, I

think Michael planned all the way

through the show that this was the

class for this horse and I think

that's great management that Michael

has kept her for this class and got

his clear round.

Now, Laura Kraut.

This horse has

been a big winner for Laura. A lot

of power to keep together in this

small arena. As you can see, he's

not the easiest one to ride. Doesn't

like anything in his mouth. Laura is

such a wonderful, stylish rider with

a lot of feel for her horses. Even

see the incredible power this one

has got, but not always easy to

contain. They are all big jumpers

with a big stride. Study now. Well,

another rider with a bit of luck,

possibly going to make it into the

jumpoff. If we get Laura through we

are in for a thrilling jump off

because we've started to build up

now to a good number of top riders.

She's having a tricky moment.

She

did well there and inside the time

as well. Laura Kraut with a clear

round. This is going to be fun,

Andy.

Yes, she made up a lot of

ground down the combination, we talk

about this short distance coming

out. Huge vertical, gave it a clout,

then round to the last fence. Looks

like he was going to stop cantering,

going sideways, not the ideal

approach!

OK, now riding

Caspar, Gaudiano he's a huge jumper,

and Gaudiano will have to be strong

to contain the power.

He's a huge

jumper.

Audible gasps from the crowd

every time he jumps, he's giving

them so much air.

He's quite a

character, this horse.

It's not what

you would call economy of effort.

No, he leaps in the air. It must be

quite an extraordinary feeling when

the horse gets so high and sometimes

hangs in the air a little bit.

Having to kick a bit here, he lost

his rhythm. He's a very physical,

tough rider, Emanuele

his rhythm. He's a very physical,

tough rider, Emanuele, he can make

it happen when he needs to. Are we

going to get another clear round?

Five so far. And a sixth! And he's

made the time as well. He's the

fifth fostered of the six clear

rounds so far. -- the fifth fastest.

Could be a lengthy and interesting

jump off.

Just look how high he gets

in the air, Caspar. But I love the

way Emanuele

in the air, Caspar. But I love the

way Emanuele, when he wants to he

can be quite physical. Great riding

up the last fence, well done.

So

three Brits through to the jump off

so far and William funnel only

missed by a whisker, and now John

Whitaker. John the hero last night

here, on a different horse but he

raised the roof nonetheless.

What a

shame, crowd favourite going out

early on. Never mind, John Whitaker

won the class last night on old

faithful, and the crowd absolutely

love him. He's been coming here

probably about 40 years and I

wouldn't know how many classes he

has won at this show over the years

but it's an awful lot. His

enthusiasm for the sport is still

there as much as ever. He goes from

show to show, he travels all around

Europe, all around the world, and

the crowds love him everywhere. He's

an absolute legend. Looks like he's

going to pull up. John Whitaker

retires then. A little much for his

horse today. But a half wave is

greeted by the crowd.

You never get

too much reaction and emotion from

John but the crowds adore him. This

horse was brilliant yesterday in the

World Cup. Inca Boy van T Vianahof

from Australia and Edwina

Tops-Alexander.

This is the horse

that escaped from Britain

unfortunately, but we are going to

have the pleasure of watching it go.

This nine-year-old, an incredible

jumper, produced in the UK by Tim

Wilkes. They took a big punt on this

horse, but it is a six-year-old and

paid plenty of money but it's turned

into a potential Olympic looking

horse. It has phenomenal jump,

breathtaking ability.

However much

money they gave, I suspect they made

a decent return.

These top horses now when they are

as good as this one, once they start

jumping big Grand Prix is, they do

change hands for millions of euros.

But horses of this kind of talent

are very rare.

What is the most a

horse of this calibre could go for?

Around ten to 12 million euros.

Wow!

That made you sit on your hocks

didn't it?

I can see why. It was a

beautiful clear round.

You are not

going to invest that much money in a

horse?

Only if you lend it to me. It

has been a great week for Inca Boy

van T Vianahof and Edwina

Tops-Alexander. We welcome into the

arena, the man who was so narrowly

denied in the World Cup yesterday...

Today he is riding the

eight-year-old bay gelding, hello

Shelby, it is Scott Brash the Great

Britain.

Scott Brash has been the most

phenomenal win over the last four or

five years, winning the Rolex Grand

Slam, world number one for a very

long time but he is going through

the transitional stage. Fascinating

to see him rebuilding his string

with these 80-year-olds. This is a

lovely quality horse, one of the

biggest classes this one has ever

jumped in. One thing is for sure,

Hello Shelby has massive power and

scope.

He needs it to happen

Hello Shelby has massive power and

scope.

He needs it to happen, Great

Britain needs it to happen.

That is

the inexperienced, the tricky fence

by the entrance. The young horses

find that one coming very quickly

out of the corner and he just took

his eye off it. This is an

undoubtedly talented horse. We will

see a lot more from Hello Shelby in

the coming years.

Four faults, just

the one down for Scott Brash and

Hello Shelby, but half the age of

the Mayor aboard whom Scott was

aboard yesterday in yesterday's

World Cup. He says farewell to

Olympia for 2017. And the crowd give

him a nice cheer. Was that a

frustrating four faults of just good

experience in a Grand Prix?

I am

delighted with him. He is only

eight. I have not had him that long,

he was well produced by Emma Stoker

and I have not had him that long,

but we are still getting to know one

another and I am delighted with that

run, it is a big course.

How long

does it take for horse and rider to

be able to gel and not go in

different directions?

It can take

years. But I think with Shelby, he

has such a good brain. I feel we

have already clicked enough to be

able to be confident enough to jump

around this course quite soon.

Another six months, I think I will

be jumping clear around here.

COMMENTATOR: Riding Lorenzo De Luca.

Two of our British clear rounds

watching carefully. This is a lovely

stallion by heartbreaker. Lorenzo De

Luca hasn't really hit the heights

this week at Olympia. He has been

such a phenomenal winner. Will

people something out of the bag

tonight?

Another cheeky stallion with the

Heartbreaker breeding. He is a

temperamental individual, but a very

careful jumper most of the time.

They are, makes life hard for

himself.

Just lost his footing on

the corner.

He is a little monkey.

Just the lack of concentration. He

has one down.

Halifax, not quite concentrating,

making things harder for himself.

Still, just the one down and just

inside the time as well. Four faults

for Lorenzo De Luca. Next, 26

combinations to go out of 36

starters. Dayna blue and Maikel Van

der Vleuten.

Stunning grey mare by

Mr blue. Another Dutch bred horse.

Maikel Van der Vleuten, has become

more consistent. He is consistently

placed in Grand Prix is on a number

of different horses. We saw him win

another good class early in the

week. This is one of his younger

horses, having a go at the Grand

Prix, just nine years old. Maikel

Van der Vleuten had so much success

with the great Verdi. Jumped in

championships time and time again.

Already got a good number of clear

rounds, I think we have got six or

seven already. Hopefully this will

be another one.

One fence to go.

Eight into the

jumpoff, inside the time as well.

Clear around for Maikel Van der

Vleuten and Dana Blue.

Harrie Smolders on Zinius.

Another

Dutch rider, silver medallist at the

European Championships. Unbelievable

success every week, with a number of

different horses, riding the

Netherlands. Zinius is not one of

his better-known horses, but he has

had some good wins in the last few

months on this one. Not got the

biggest scope, but if he gets in the

jump really fast.

He hasn't got the natural reach and

power of some of his other horses.

Some horses have easy ability to

jump big fences. This one is a

fighter and try. Another one

spooking at the wall. It is

unexpected because this horse is 13

years old, some of the younger

haven't even looked at it. Great

recovery from Harrie Smolders. Might

get close to the time.

Close, and he

is safe and he is clear. It is an

ninth to add to the jumpoff. Zinius

and Harrie Smolders. Exactly a third

of the competitors in this first

round have gone clear.

As we

expected, it is a track we thought

we would get a few clear rounds.

Look at this coming to the wall.

Zinius said, are you joking, am I

meant to jump the fence? Great

recovery from Harrie Smolders,

stretched over the last. We are

going to enjoy him in the jumpoff,

look at that look on his face.

He is

hoping that wall will come out of

the jumpoff, I would expect. Here we

go, big-name. And the hugely

consistent operator at the highest

level,

funky Fred Marcus Ning.

I like this

is because I can say its name.

Sadly, you won't be saying it in the

jumpoff.

We have some extraordinary

names to deal with and I must say

you have done very well with your

pronunciations.

It is quite

extraordinary.

It is hard work, but

this is a lovely horse. Funky Fred,

he is normally a lively performer

but lazy fence down. The great

Marcus Ehning has entertained us

this week, but he is not going to

feature in our jumpoff.

Dorian

Williams only had to worry about

Boomer rang and Milton.

Pen with

Forge Mills is about the hardest

thing he had to say and stroller.

12

faults for Marcus Ehning. 73.21 the

time, but that doesn't matter. No

height there at all.

No, Funky Fred,

we like his name but we didn't like

the way he jumped. He wasn't At The

Races today.

So, next into the ring...

This mare, Contanga for Italy and

Alberto 's noses.

-- Alberto Zorzi.

Alberto Zorzi, not had a great week.

The defence coming down. This is an

experienced horse, 13 years of age.

Come on, Alberto, you haven't jumped

too many clears this week. Is this

your night?

Alberto Zorzi, since he has been

riding, he has shot to the top of

the world rankings. Has had

incredible success, but he is a

beautiful rider to watch. Very

stylish. We have seen him win so

many classes this year. Will be

great to see him get through to the

jumpoff. Foot perfect so far. Just

this last fence.

Time is fine. Into

the jumpoff goes Alberto Zorzi and

Contanga. Ten strong jumpoff with

three to go.

Beautiful balance and

rhythm all the way down the

combination immaculate style.

Cruising over the last fence. A big

jumpoff with a lot of fast riders to

come.

And an Olympic hero now...

Kevin Staut. On Ayade de Septon et

HDC. I have spent a long time

practising these. Got to bring

something to the table.

Kevin Staut,

former world number one. Been in

great form recently, won the top ten

competition in Geneva recently. As

an quite hit the heights so far at

this show, but you never rule this

man out. He will be very hungry for

a win tonight. This 11-year-old,

lovely mare, very talented and quite

capable of jumping a clear around

here. We would love to see Kevin get

into the jumpoff. He's such a great

rider against the clock. Another one

lucky down the combination. He looks

hungry and focus tonight, Kevin.

Smooth as you like, Kevin Staut and

his chestnut mare jumped clear, and

an 11th clear. It's going to be a

deep, long, and interesting jump off

and it might not be done yet.

Yes,

Kevin through and he will have a big

advantage in the jump off because he

will either be last to go or second

last and we've only got one more

rider to come. That really was an

impressive round.

You sensed he will

be able to turn the pace on in the

jump off if he needs to.

He

definitely will.

He's a contender.

But this man might be a contender as

well. He's riding for Sweden, Peder

Fredricson.

It's a real privilege to

see him here, the reigning European

champion. Won in Gothenburg this

year, and he's such a stylish,

effective rider. Very tall but rides

a lot of feeling from his horses.

He's starting to ride a whole number

of different horses, people adding

to his string, which is great to

see. He is having a few rubs around

this course so far. Still clear. It

is a man who not only as a top

showjumper, is also an international

event rider and there aren't too

many of those around but we all

remember Sir Mark Todd who could

turn his hand to both disciplines.

And widely regarded as one of the

greatest horsemen of all times as

such. There we go, and another one,

Peder Fredricson into the jumpoff.

Inside the time, and that will be 12

going forward to jump against the

clock in this Olympia Grand Prix

sponsored by Turkish airlines. Some

of the highlights of this round.

From what looked an incredibly

tricky course, we have now got 12

horse is clear. They need to be

quick and careful. The horse --

course building team hotfoot it into

the arena.

Edwina Tops-Alexander had a

brilliant round again.

The first in of the dozen in this

Grand Prix, riding for Great Britain

to a huge roar from the crowd,

riding Rouge de Ravel, it's Guy

Williams.

It's a very interesting

track, they turned a couple of

fences around but this track is very

much about a lot of pace. We have

got a really difficult to earn back

to the green light airy double. If

the horses are not careful there and

turned back to tight, that could

cause a problem.

First to jump in

this jumpoff, Rouge de Ravel, Guy

Williams for Great Britain.

That was

fascinating because Gary was really

revved

up to have a go. Rouge de Ravel just

not on the same page and he's

throwing the towel in and won't be

going any further. That's it.

The

haunting scene war has claimed its

first victim in the jumpoff.

It's a

very unusual friends and Rouge de

Ravel looked at that and said,

you're joking? We are meant to jump

it?

He has walked Rouge de Ravel

over to have a good look at the

fence.

Yes, he just went straight

past it.

So will that have put doubt

into the other riders' mind having

seen something is unusual is that?

They have just got to make sure they

get there very straight and very

connected.

So, one down, 11 to jump.

Next to jump for Switzerland, riding

Curtis Sitte, Paul Estermann.

Yes,

nice five strides there. Here is the

turn back. Inside, moving to the

next, and the turn to this double

will be crucial. Big vertical, sets

up very careful, that was great.

Three white rails, nothing else, no

fillers, so difficult to jump.

Four

faults, in that time of 35.60 seven.

Yes, it was a super round from Paul

Estermann, but just coming to the

white rails a little bit forward,

jumped it slightly to the left and I

think they've got to give that

friends a little bit of respect.

So

next, he had all the tools at his

disposal in the first round but he

was drawn early which may not be an

advantage. On Winning Good, Ben

Maher.

Very interesting, his

tactics. He's taken this young horse

up to the wall, letting him have a

look at it.

So it is getting in

their heads.

It was certainly in his

thoughts, he was very particular

about doing that.

Let's see if it

works. Ben Maher, Winning Good.

No

problems for the eight-year-old.

This is a terrific effort from this

young horse. Absolutely brilliant

there, Ben is giving it absolutely

everything. He's going for it. Just

that forward distance across the

middle, that seems to be the hardest

fence to jump. Exactly the same

round as Paul Estermann.

But he is

faster than Paul Estermann, simply

goes into the lead, 34.17, and who

knows how this jumpoff will play. We

have not had a clear yet.

Winning

Good was a lovely horse, tried so

hard. Look at the stretch over this,

and Ben really gambled here. He took

it on, couldn't quite free off the

back end. Unlucky, but a very

exciting young horse.

We need a

clear to break this jumpoff open,

will it be this man? If it is, it's

in a fast time. For Great Britain,

riding JB's Hot Stuff, it is Michael

Whitaker.

Naturally quick rider.

This little mare. Clouted the wall

but pressing on. You will see

Michael, he lands, drops his

shoulders. Just had to adjust the

strides slightly there. Fabulous

turn. Come on, Michael, setup. Yes,

this is looking really good, it's

quick.

And it is clear! In 34.3

seconds, Michael Whitaker has set

the bar.

The only place you can go

quicker than Michael, he just took

an extra pull but it was a lovely

round. The little mare jumped her

heart out. Didn't take any extra

space at all, but this can be

beaten.

It's never easy being the first

clear round, you know you've got to

be careful and quick out there, do

you think you've done enough?

I

don't think I have, I will need luck

to win. It wasn't one of my best

jumpoffs but I'm happy, she jumped

great.

Does the course ride well?

Yes, but

I was a bit niggardly, I never got

going forward and kept forward, but

anyway.

COMMENTATOR: For the United States

of America, Deauville S with Laura

Kraut.

Big horse, big stride.

Naturally quick rider, Laura, always

going forward. She had to slightly

change her mind as well. That

turned, we expected one or two to

fault. Michael has really put

pressure on now. You have to take

every chance in the book if you're

going to beat him. That nearly

happened in the first round.

So, the

required pace applied pressure to

Laura Kraut and Deauville S. So

Michael Whitaker, still in the lead,

and there are seven competitors to

jump in the jumpoff.

The difficult

turn back to the green double is a

problem, but the last fence,

Deauville S dropped the bridle and

jumped right onto the back rail.

Laura Kraut looking a little

disappointed. Now, a little bit

ponderous in the first round, Caspar

and Emanuele Gaudiano for Italy.

Yes, the fair comment, he is a bit

ponderous. He's a bit like driving a

double-decker bus but he is

talented.

And level on time at the

moment.

This man is always kicking

forward, sees his stride early. You

can see him there saying come on!

It

stayed up!

It's not quite going to

happen, he was working too hard and

it will be a bit slower as well.

So

four faults, goes into third place

with six to jump. 35.39, Emanuele

Gaudiano. So Michael Whitaker is

still in front, the only clear so

far.

We are just starting to think,

has Michael done enough? They are

putting pressure on and making

mistakes.

Two thirds of the way

round and the wheels started to come

off. This combination have been

going incredibly well. Inca Boy van

T Vianahof and for Australia, Edwina

Tops-Alexander.

So this lovely

nine-year-old gelding was by far the

most impressive clear in the first

round, but will Edwina go against

the clock with this lovely horse?

He's literally doing handstands over

these fences.

She needs to pick up

the pace.

She's trying to make the

turn but because he's such an

ex-Uber and jumper, he spends so

much time in the air, it's costing

him a little bit. -- exuberant

jumper. Even if he doesn't get

anywhere near Michael's time, which

I think is unlikely, just and enjoy

watching this horse jump.

A smooth,

study clear for Edwina

Tops-Alexander and she goes into

second place. It's not in the same

parish, timewise, as Michael

Whitaker. But a lovely round

nonetheless and she goes into second

place on a horse aboard whom she's

had a wonderful week, Inca Boy van T

Vianahof.

Remember this horse, you will see

him jumping in Olympic

championships. This is one of the

best young horses to come out in

many a year.

Talking of class, into

the

ring is Maikel Van der Vleuten,

riding Dana Blue.

Faultless in the first round, Dana

Blue and Maikel Van der Vleuten.

He

is great to watch, Maikel Van der

Vleuten. If you see him land over a

fence, he is very quickly away. This

horse, not so experienced. Big

stride.

He has got a little bit of work to

do. Probably not going to make it.

Has been a lovely round.

Now, he

overtakes Edwina Tops-Alexander and

goes into second place, Maikel Van

der Vleuten and Dana Blue. Still,

they can't get to Michael Whitaker.

He has judged this to a nicety,

given how early he was in the round.

Michael saved the horse for this

class. He has done everything he can

do. He still has a few quick riders

to come. He has put a lot of

pressure on them.

Four riders to

come and the first of those for the

Netherlands, riding Zinius, Harrie

Smolders.

I am going to stick my

neck out and said this one will go

quicker, not necessarily clear but

this is one of the fastest riders on

the circuit today.

He was one of

your tips.

He tripped and that is

not very helpful at all, but Harrie

Smolders is pressing on. He did

brilliantly to recover from that.

Michael was here in 16.9, just

ahead.

That trip might have cost

him, he's going to have to take a

chance.

He is ahead.

He will gallop

at the last fence.

He has done it,

just Axel by 600s of a second. He

goes into the lead, Harrie Smolders.

He could have been half a second

quicker without the trip, because he

had to readjust. He still got his

nose in front, Zinius is a naturally

quick horse. This was a horrible

moment, he landed, went for the

turn. I thought he was going to come

down. Super recovery and Harrie

Smolders sneaks into the lead.

Notwithstanding that, he might have

done enough, but some dangers

competition to come. Harrie Smolders

in the lead, Michael Whitaker in

second. Next ago, and two after him,

riding for Italy, riding the mare

Contanga, Alberto Zorzi.

The elegant, Italian stylist, can he

shave off a little bit of time from

Dana Blue vesture Magus Murt Khan

are very deceptively eating the

ground up. She has got a big stride.

Not too far away, it is he? Will

have to chance the last fence, not

going to be quick enough unless he

quickens up. He has done it.

34.05,

it is so tight at the top. But the

finest of the margin doesn't count,

he has gone to the head of the

leaderboard, Alberto Zorzi, with two

riders to come. He is in front for

Italy.

It was a lovely run. Maybe

not quite in touch, but the turn to

the last, he saw the stride all the

way and that is where he got into

the lead. Brilliant riding. We have

been wanting to see the best from

this man this week and we have just

seen it now.

Competition hotting up

towards the end of this jump. Two to

jump. And this man has got the pace,

pedigree and past performance to do

it. It is Kevin Stout for France

riding Ayade de Septon.

Not to be.

The spooky wall has done him again.

He was quite forward to it. The only

Peder Fredricson cannot Alberto

Zorzi of the top of the leaderboard.

Four faults, that puts Kevin Staut

into eighth place with one to jump

in this Olympia Grand Prix.

Just

pressed on the five strides. That

was unlucky.

So, the final round of showjumping

at Olympia 2017 is on the shoulders

of this man, Peder Fredricson

riding H&M Zaloubet, the Sweden.

Quick turn away. Having to encourage

this one to go forward. Giving it

everything he's got.

He is OK on the

clock.

Very tight turn. That was

brave. He has paid for it.

Alberto

Zorzi is the winner.

This is a quick

round. All over the place at the

last.

It was the fastest round, but

it was also the most destructive.

Not to be for Peder Fredricson, he

really went for it. All of, but the

execution wasn't quite there. It was

however for this man, Italy's

Alberto Zorzi, who has won the final

showjumping class at Olympia 2017

above the mare Contanga. Just

getting the better of Michael

Whitaker. Harrie Smolders, in second

on Zinius. Michael Whitaker in third

on JB 's hot stuff.

on Zinius. Michael Whitaker in third

on JB 's hot stuff. Huge

congratulations, you must be so

pleased to finish at Olympia in such

great style?

Yes, it is my first

time in Olympia. It is an amazing

show, one of the best in the world,

so I am happy to win today. It was

my dream to win one time in Olympia

and today I did. I am so happy

today.

He was careful, quick and

clear and that is the perfect

combination for a jumpoff against

some very talented horses and

riders?

Yes, the best riders and

horses here. Today was a good class.

The jumpoff was also fast. But I

have a very good horse and he helped

me to win.

So close, but it has been

a fantastic show for you?

My horses

are in great form at the moment and

I am very pleased. We didn't have

the smoothest round in the jumpoff,

I had to balance him here and there,

but I'm very satisfied with second.

He made an excellent recovery, but

do you think without the trip up,

you could have won it?

Definitely,

it was so close, the top three. It

cost me the victory.

In terms of the

show, in terms of 2017 as a year you

commie must be pleased with what he

have achieved?

Yes, this is my third

horse. The others are having a break

and hopefully I can continue for the

next 20 years like this.

He had put

the fear into every other rider,

well done. Michael, you predicted

it, you predicted there would be

people faster than you, but not by

much?

I just needed a better stride

to the last fence and I think that

was it. I think I had one pulled too

many to the last. You can only be

what is in front of you. And I

needed a bit of luck and I didn't

get it.

If you're going to be

beaten, you want to be beaten

properly?

Not by hundreds.

Ridiculous.

Alberto Zorzi for Italy

winning the Olympia Grand Prix on

Contanga. Now, the presentation. The

Turkish airlines general manager of

London, presenting the rosettes. He

was just edged out in the Grand

Prix, but he wins the trophy for

leading rider of the week, Harrie

Smolders from Holland. And Michael

Whitaker now, receiving a modest

piece of silverware. For being the

leading British rider in the Grand

Prix.

Olympia is drawing to a close, the

place is packing but what a final

class we had?

It was brilliant,

class riding from Roberto 's Aussie.

He hasn't had a great week, but he

is a brilliant rider, silky smooth

and stylish and pulled it out of the

bag.

A lot more getting through to

the jump off than we predicted at

the start. Yes, I don't know whether

I know what I am on about. I did say

it was a jump double course, not as

big as the World Cup. Strong

performances from the young horses

Ben mare had an Scott Brash?

Yes, we

need to rebuild, we know that Scott

Brash has got a fantastic new string

of eight-year-olds and we saw one

tonight. Had a fence down, but

looked classy, but winning Winning

Good with Ben, very good. Nearly won

the class.

That bodes well for the

future. Typical Michael Whitaker

quote, he wanted to be beaten by a

lot, not by 100th of a secon.

He put

down the marker, he very nearly one

the class, but he is on good form

and that is good to see.

Olympia is

the good fun of festive fun and what

has been your highlight?

I don't

know where to start, I like the dog

agility, I like the Shetland ponies,

I like all of it, but jumping wise,

Julian Appleyard winning the World

Cup was absolutely brilliant. The

level of jumping was incredible.

Like you, I adored the Shetland

ponies and everybody in this arena

does. But also the Puissance, going

over a seven foot wall when every

year she says she is not a big

Puissance fan. You get back to sit

back and watch this, and these are

roles and jobs I couldn't do and the

people at home couldn't do. I might

have a new job for you next year.

Dear oh dear.

Do you fancy that?

No,

something bad would happen if I did

that.

I would say Merry Christmas to

you then. And I will say Merry

Christmas to you at home.

Goodbye.

# Let it shine, just let it shine.

# Let it shine.

# See the light on your face.