Julien Epaillard jumped to victory in London

The Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Leg provided an afternoon of great sport in the Olympia Grand Hall, with only four of the 36 starters jumping a clear in the first round. As the penultimate to go in the jump-off, Britain’s Scott Brash set the packed crowd alight, jumping clear in a time of 37.34 seconds, which looked like it could be the winning round. However, the speedy Julien Epaillard, riding Toupie de la Roque, knocked Scott off the pole position to take the victory by 0.43 seconds (36.91).
Third place on the podium was Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander and her Belgium Warmblood Inca Boy van T Vianahof (by Diamant de Semilly) with whom she finished in 41.05 seconds.
Italy’s Alberto Zorzi finished 11th atop of Contanga, while the other two Azzurri involved were 25th (Emanuele Gaudiano on Caspar) and 28th (Lorenzo De Luca on  Limestone Grey).
Britain triumphed in the evening CSI5* 150m class, The Ivy Stakes, where a speed masterclass from John Whitaker atop of 15-year-old stallion Argento secured a home win with a time of 35.39. Behind him, Ben Maher on Madame X and Laura Renwick riding MHS Washington, to make a British one-two-three.
The Olympia exciting duels are not over yet: the final is scheduled on Monday 18, with the Turkish Airlines Olympia Grand Prix at 8.45pm.
Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano on Caspar, Lorenzo De Luca with Halifax van het Kluizebos and Alberto Zorzi on Contanga will be at the start.
www.olympiahorseshow.com
photo: Longines FEI World Cup™ London International Julien Epaillard (FRA) & Toupie de la Roque
Photo FEI/Jon Stroud