Longines FEI World Cup: German one-two in London

Scott Brash and Hello Sunshine had the last fence down in the World Cup event at Olympia. Picture: PA

Robert Whitaker led the British challenge, finishing fourth on this year’s Royal Windsor Grand Prix winner Catwalk IV, while his father John and Argento were six places behind after a 13 horse jump-off.

But it was otherwise a tale of what might have been. Britain’s world No 1, Scott Brash, had the last fence down in round one aboard Hello Sunshine, with his fellow London 2012 Olympic team gold medallist Ben Maher (Diva II) and Michael Whitaker (Viking) both jumped clear, but each incurred one time fault.

And the Germans were not to be denied, as Kutscher secured the winner’s purse of £32,000 on Cornet’s Cristallo, with Deusser (Carriere) less than a second behind and Sweden’s Malin Baryard-Johnsson (H&M Tornesch) third.

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Robert Whitaker – drawn first to go in round one and the jump-off – posted an impressive time of 40.49 seconds, but Kutscher, Deusser and Baryard-Johnsson all went quicker.

“The last few shows, Catwalk has been jumping really well,” Yorkshireman Whitaker said. “The course really suited him today, although the time was always going to be tight when you are drawn first to go.

“I am a bit sick of being drawn first. It is a bit annoying. But I wouldn’t have changed anything in terms of my plan.”

Kutscher was a late call-up for the London International Horse Show following his fellow German Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum’s withdrawal, and he made the most of his opportunity in thrilling fashion.

“Once I was in the jump-off, I knew I would have a good chance, and it worked out very well,” Kutscher said. “I didn’t have a perfect jump-off, but when my horse is focused he can do everything. I hoped we had gone quickly enough, but Daniel is such a fast rider that I wasn’t sure.”

Deusser only brought Carriere to London after two of his other horses suffered injuries, but it proved to be a master-stroke.

“I really wanted to come to this show,” Deusser said. “I rode him last Tuesday morning, then put him on the truck to come here on Tuesday afternoon.”

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