Let the stars shine and the jumping fun begin .......and maybe a little bit of shopping too!
Pony Club Mini-Major Relay

This is a class where a young Pony Club member is partnered with one of the shows more experienced international riders. It is not only a great thrill for the pony clubbers but also gives them a chance to watch and learn from some of the best in the world. This years competition was taken out by Jessica Crosby partnered with the popular Ellen Whitaker of Great Britain
Christmas Stakes -
Int. jumping competition with jump off (1.60 m) (Table A)

There were 35 Starters for this international competition with entries from 15 different Countries. There was even a quick video message from world renowned Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil sharing his best wishes for the show and apology that he could not be there (due to his injury).
There was a swarm of the world's best riders waiting patiently to walk the course that stood at a big and technical 1.60m. It was also quite comical watching the celebrities faces as they walked this much larger course than their previously jumped this evening. And some of the showjumpers were becoming celebrities too .
Ellen Whitakker, always a crowd pleaser, is so generous with her time and never hesitates to stop and sign autographs for her many fans - pictured right
Nick Skelton is another who gets roaring applause from the crowds - always a crowd pleaser and another of the International showjumpers who always finds time for his fans and loves to do on course interviews - pictured left

It was second out, Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst, from Germany with his 9yr old bay gelding Paparazzi who set or first clear round. This was followed closely by Beat Mandli SUI riding Indigo IX, William Funnell GBR on Cortaflex Amber du Montois and Franke Sloothaak GER riding the rangey Legurio. Unfortunately for Ben Maher GBR his ride Onasis II tok a dislike to the start and staged a vertical protest - pictured below left - which saw them pick up penalties and keep them out of the junp off. Next clear round came from the young lady getting back to her well known form Jessica Kurten IRL riding Quibell. Three more clears one behind the other for Markus Fuchs SUI and La Toya, crowd favourite Geoff Billington GBR and Cassabachus then for France Eugenie Angot riding Ilostra Dark. Getting very close to the end of the first round we then had two successive clear from Ellen Whitaker GBR on Locarno 62 and Peter Wylde USA on Hurricane.

The Kings Troop RHA quickly cleared obsticles not necessary for the jump-off and on with the show!

First out was Paparazzi and his German rider Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst - pictured below - and they were out for the win. This combination put the 'pedal to the metal' and came through the flags in a blistering time of 28.19 and clear. The benchmark had well and truly been set down by the German.

Next was leading rider in the Western European League Beat Mandli riding the
chesnut gelding Indigo IX - pictured below left. Unfortunatley they had one down for 4 faults in a time of 27.91 showing that Alois's time was beatable but would take something special to outdo it.
And the crowd then erupted for William Funnell and Cortaflex Amber du Montois - pictured below - and although clear they were not fast enough at 29.61 to get the better of the German. (Pic 12 W Funnell)
Now the next rider was one that most of the Aussies reading this would know from his recent visit to judge the Jumping with the Stars section at the National Equestrian Centre in Werribee. Franke Sloothaak and his big striding Landadel gelding Legurio - pictured below - had just the 4 faults with time of 28.93.

So still Paparazi had the lead. . . Next to try their luck were Irish duo Jessica Kurten
and her re-emerging mare Quibell by Quidam de Revel - pictured below. They made it clear from the start they were out to overtake leaders. Great turns and fast gallop down to the last gave them a clear but again not fast enough with time 28.36.
Entering with the serious look of determination Marcus Fuch and LaToya made it clear they were no here to have a picnic! They ate up this testing jump off and looked the goods until they put nail to rail down one came. Ending on four faults in the speedy time of 27.15s. - pictured below
Again the crowd come alive to the entry of another British ledgend of showjumping (and quite a character too!) Geoff Billington riding Lady Rowallan's Casabachus. Sadley four faults for this lovely combination in a time of 28.65. - pictured below

The French combination of Eugenie Angot and the stunning Ilostra Dark were next to try to pip Paparazi. Unfortuantely they were also another to fall victim to four faults in a time of 30.25.

With two riders left to go things were looking good for Alois and Paparazzi but they were not out of the woods yet . .

Ellen Whitaker and Locarno 69 entered to the roar of the home crowd. The deafening noise didn't upset either as they set out on there round. Alas this was not to be there day and with 2 down they would move into 10th Place.


Last to go was the only entry from the USA Peter Wylde riding Hurricane. Starting well they were unlucky to have a rail and that then gave the class to the untouchable Alios Pollmann-Schweckhorst and his amazing Paparazzi.

CELEBRITY SHOWJUMPING - from the UK reality TV series ONLY FOOLS on HORSES (BBC)

In the name of a charity known in the UK as Sport Relief, Only Fools on Horses saw 12 famous faces saddling up and competing in a show jumping event every night for nine nights on BBC ONE here in London.

The public got to vote for who they think was the best rider and each night, one competitor was hoofed out of the riding school.

They were masterfully trained by head coach, Tim Stockdale, and judges were well known horsey personalities Jodie Kidd, Jessica Kurten and Robert Smith.

In the grand finale, staged in front of the cream of the horse world, the remaining riders battled it out to be the Only Fools on Horses Show Jumper of the year.

And again for charity six of the competitors were invited to Olympia to battle it out and raise money for the Olympia chosen charity -Breast Cancer Haven. The charity's patron, the Countess of Wessex, was also in attendance on the night.

The celebrities were partnered with some of the best - John Whitaker, Ellen Whitaker, Jessica Kurten, Robert Smith, Nick Skelton and William Funnell. The celebrities had to jump the short course then into the holding box while their illustrious partners had to drive around a course of witches' hats in the quickest time possible.

William Funnell - pictured below in the drivers seat - combined with UK television's interior designer Anna Ryder-Richardson were super fast and took the class winning £1700 for the charity.

TV series winner, Sarah Cox is pictured right - still looking good over the fences!
Nick Skelton and Ellen Whittaker - pictured left - are driven into the arena to meet the crowds and get ready for their driven legs of the competition!
Celebrity Coach for the BBC series, Tim Stockdale explains the rules to John Whitakker - pictured right
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