Despite the Narnia-esque weather, H&M Sunday at Olympia, the London International Horse Show, kicked off to a full arena with the H&M Speed Stakes - a test of show jumping speed and handiness. 

Twists and turns

The tight course was packed with challenging turns that the riders must take a speed. For most of the field, a couple of time penalties was standard, but it was Geir 'Jimmy' Gulliksen that took the crown for Norway on Rusedski II, a bay 12-year-old stallion by Darco. His fast, slick and careful round took just 44.01 seconds to complete and earned him a comfortable win of the 5,500Euro pot. 

Crowd pleaser

Second place was taken by Ellen Whitaker, who received a rapturous welcome from the crowd. Riding Steven Whitaker's Royal Rose, a chestnut 12-year-old stallion, Ellen knocked just one pole, adding an extra two seconds to her time and bringing it to 44.64. 

Third place also belonged to the ladies, with Portugal's Luciana Diniz finishing on 46.27 with Stefan Otten's dark bay 12-year-old gelding Licapo. Great Britain's Peter Charles was third on 46.63 riding Murka's Lquide, a bay 11-year-old stallion. Peter rode another of the few clear rounds. 

Drama

Cian O'Connor narrowly avoided testing how soft the Olympia surface was when he became unseated during his round. As the crowd gasped, he managed to scramble back into the saddle but the time taken cost him dearly so he jumped one fence to end the horse on a good note and retired.

France's Julien Epaillard also retired after Commissario refused at fence three.