Edward Gal wins Olympia Grand Prix with ‘exciting’ new horse

Edward Gal has won the Grand Prix at Olympia Horse Show’s opening night with an exciting new ride.

Amazing work

This was Edward’s first victory at the London venue since 2009, when he partnered the great Totilas. This year he was riding the nine-year-old Glock’s Zonik, who was competing in his third international grand prix.

The Dutch rider was second to go and despite a slightly nervy start, the pair some produced some amazing work to score 76.68%.

“He was coming back toward me so I rode him more forward, but he began to relax at the end,” said Edward. “He’s a really exciting horse and I’m really happy with him as it’s his first really big show.”

Second place went to Sweden’s Patrik Kittel and Delaunay OLD on 75.1%, while Madeleine Witte-Vrees gave the Netherlands another place on the podium, coming third on 73.72% with Cennin.

Highest placed Brit

Emile Faurie was the highest placed Brit, coming fourth with Delatio 72.86%. Emile has only competed the 13-year-old stallion a few times, after taking over the ride from Germany’s Bianca Kasselmann.

Anders Dahl was just 0.02% behind her with Selten HW. Lara Butler then headed a run of Brits, coming sixth with Rubin Al Asad (72.66%). She was closely followed by Gareth Hughes and Don Carissimo (72.64%) and Richard Davison on Bubblingh (71.72%).

A few uncharacteristic mistakes proved costly for Hayley Watson-Greaves and Rubins Nite who came 13th (68.98%).