During the team show jumping event at the 2012 London Olympics, the host British team, featuring riders like Nick Skelton, dramatically leapfrogged the Dutch team to win their first Olympic gold medal in the event in 60 years. What left Dutch rider Maikel van der Vleuten particularly heartbroken was receiving an 8-point penalty in the final jump-off, which resulted in the Netherlands only securing the silver medal.
From December 16 to 22 this year, the 41st London International Horse Show took place at Olympia London, bringing together over 400 horses and 300 riders from around the world. Since its inception in 1972, the London International Horse Show has become one of Europe’s most important equestrian events. This year’s show hosted three FEI World Cup™ jumping competitions, including Dressage, FEI World Cup™ Jumping, and Carriage Driving. With Christmas approaching, the event attracted numerous top international riders and over 90,000 spectators.
Van der Vleuten returned once again to the scene of his heartbreak, London. However, unlike his Olympic experience last year, the now 25-year-old rider returned with greater maturity in both mindset and skill after his past setbacks. On November 3, at the CSI5* show jumping competition in Lyon, France, he and his horse clinched victory with an impressive time of 37.27 seconds. Then on December 1, at the “Maastricht Indoor Show Jumping” competition in the Netherlands, Van der Vleuten won the Longines Champion Cup.
The highlight of the London International Horse Show is the FEI World Cup™ Jumping West European League leg in London. The 2013–14 FEI World Cup™ Jumping season is divided into 17 zones, including West Europe, Arabia, Australia, China, and North America. Competitions in five zones, including China and South Africa, have already concluded. The 2014 FEI World Cup™ Jumping Finals will be held in Lyon, France, from April 17 to 21, 2014.
The West European League consists of ten legs, with London being the fifth. On the evening of the 21st, at Olympia London, a total of 36 riders competed. Van der Vleuten ultimately claimed the championship with the fastest time of 37.07 seconds and no penalties, becoming the fifth Dutch rider to win a leg since 1979. British rising star Daniel Neilson took third place, while Nick Skelton, the world No. 1 in show jumping and the overall winner of this year’s Longines World Championship Tour, finished sixth. British media believe that Van der Vleuten’s victory over two British riders in London marks a successful redemption for Dutch equestrianism in the city.
With the first five legs of the West European League completed and the midpoint of the season reached, Skelton currently leads the standings with 52 points, while Van der Vleuten is in third place with 40 points, narrowing the gap with his longtime rival.