Ireland's Dermott Lennon brought the curtain down on Olympia Horse Show with a win in the Olympia Grand Prix on Loughview Lou-Lou. It completed a fantastic week for the rider, who won on the same mare on the first day of showjumping at Olympia. 

Natural pace

Eleven riders made it through to the jump-off, including Britain’s Peter Charles (Murka’s Nevada) and Robert Smith (Ude).

Unfortunately for Robert, luck was not on his side in the jump-off and 10 penalties knocked him out of the placings. However, Peter set an outstanding target on Olga White’s chestnut stallion, putting the pressure on the other competitors.

But Dermott used his nine-year-old mare's natural pace to better the time, doing so by just over a second.

“She’s naturally fast, so I thought if I just aimed to keep the fences up she’d be quick enough anyway,” said Dermott. “I only got her a year ago and this was her first grand prix," he added. 

Spain’s Manuel Anon (Rackel Chavannaise) came close to threatening Dermott, but he finished 0.76 seconds adrift to claim second place.

Brilliant show for the Brits

While the finale class didn't go Britain's way, it was a phenomenal show for the home contingent. Ben Maher, who won Sunday’s Rolex FEI World Cup qualifier, was crowned the H&M Leading Rider of the Show following two big wins.

Guy Williams gained an amazing five victories during the week, completing the fivesome with a win in the Martin Collins Eraser stakes.

Riding Djakarta, he stunned the packed house of enthusiastic spectators with an early fast round, beating fellow Brit William Funnell and Billy Grand into the runner-up spot by 7secs.

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