Austria's Max Kühner Captures the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ in London

FEI Longines World No. 23 Max Kühner conquered the 1.60m course and the clock, with EIC Cooley Jump the Q, to win the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ presented by Agria at the London International Horse Show. The first-place finish awards Kühner 20 points, putting him into first place in the FEI Longines Western European League standings after six of 13 legs.

Two Whitakers finish in the Top 5 in front of a cheering home crowd

Five in a field of 37 qualified for the jump-off in front of a packed house Sunday.

Britain's Donald Whitaker and the12-year-old Oldenburg mare Millfield Colette were first to go in the jump-off, laying down a clear round and time to beat of 35.53. Max Kühner entered the indoor arena, rising to the challenge with his 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding and taking the lead. Ireland's Cian O'Connor and partner of just three months, Chatolinue PS, were the third of three pairs to jump clear in the jump-off, and finished third. O'Connor said he wanted to build confidence with the 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding and work on matching their experience, in preparation for the FEI World Championships next year. Another Brit, Robert Whitaker, had the fastest jump-off time aboard Vermento, but pulled a rail. Penelope Leprevost of France and Baloubet de Talma wrapped up the jump-off with four faults.

On Friday, Donald Whitaker finished second with Millfield Colette in the 1.55m Longines Christmas Cracker, just 0.13 seconds behind first.

ClipMyHorse.TV is broadcasting the London International Horse Show HERE.

Top 12 Results:

1 Max Kühner (Austria) - EIC COOLEY JUMP THE Q - 0/0/33.94

2 Donald Whitaker (Great Britain) - MILLFIELD COLETTE -0/0/35.52

3 Cian O'Connor (Ireland) - CHATOLINUE PS - 0/0/37.24

4 Robert Whitaker (Great Britain) - VERMENTO - 0/4/33.90

5 Penelope Leprevost (France) - BALOUBET DE TALMA - 0/4/35.72

6 Zascha Nygaard (Denmark) - CHARINO PS - 1/73.31

7 Hessel Hoekstra (the Netherlands) - COMTHAGO VDL - 1/73.54

8 Rik Hemeryck (Belgium) - INOUI DU SEIGNEUR - 1/73.96

9 Ben Maher (Great Britain) - ENJEU DE GRISIEN - 2/74.19

10 Tom Wachman (Ireland) - TABASCO DE TOXANDRIA Z - 2/75.00

11 Kara Chad (Canada) - IGOR GPH - 4/69.31

12 Gaëtan Joliat (Switzerland) - CHELSEA Z - 4/69.47

First-round time was a factor

The time allowed of 73 seconds foiled the jump-off chances for five riders, three of whom exceeded the time allowed by less than one second. Some riders picked up the pace, knowing the time allowed was tight, and left the arena with jumping faults. Meantime, Cian O'Connor advanced to the jump-off with just one-quarter of a second to spare around the course designed by Alan Wade.