Leading Rider Award in London Goes to Victor Bettendorf
Trophy Bestowed on the Final Night of the London International Horse Show
December 23, 2025 at 1:49 PMBy a.dunne
Luxembourg's Victor Bettendorf was at the top of the leaderboard a good, few times during the five-day London International Horse Show. He received the leading rider award and Olympia Centenary Trophy on Monday, following the Turkish Airlines Grand Prix on closing night of the show, not to mention another magnum of Taittinger champagne.
With 61 points in the final standings, Bettendorf ended the show 18 points ahead of the rider in the second spot in the standings (Kevin Staut of France).
His wins and other placings
Bettendorf literally hit the ground running, winning the Longines Christmas Cracker 1.55m class on day one, and the 1.55 Champagne Taittinger Speed Stakes on day two. For the Christmas Cracker, he rode the 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding Doha de Riverland. His Speed Stakes partner was another Selle Francais - Encore Toi du Linon, an 11-year-old mare.
He finished eighth in the 1.50m Mistletoe Stakes on Saturday with Encore Toi du Linon. Also on Saturday, he won the Reindeer Speed Stakes aboard the 14-year-old Zangersheide mare Cancun Torel Z.
He was just outside the money in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ on Sunday, finishing 13th with Doha de Riverland after four jumping faults in the first round. Bettendorf finished fourth in the 1.50m Christmas Challenge class with Encore Toi du Linon, also on Sunday.
On Monday, he and Cancun Torel Z took fourth place in the 1.50m Santa Speed Stakes.
His final ride was in Monday's Turkish Airlines Grand Prix, and he picked up eight jumping faults with Doha de Riverland in the first round to finish in 24th place.
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