Posted: Thursday, December 15th, 2011
The penultimate rider in the 10-horse jump-off, he shaved more than a second off the stiff target set by Olympia favourite John Whitaker, whose dashing display on the appropriately named grey mare Dazzle ll raised the roof.
All three leading riders were riding mares – third-placed Marcus Ehning was riding Noltes Kuchengirl, a prolific winner on the European circuit.
Dermott said of his mare, Loughview Lou-Lou, a nine-year-old bay by Jack of Diamonds, “She’s a good old Irish-bred, very versatile and clever on her feet. She was in a bit of a bad mood for bit, but when she won a class in Geneva last weekend, I thought it was worth bringing her over to Olympia.
“I haven’t been here for a few years, so it’s great to be back.”
Dazzle is usually ridden by John’s daughter Louise, who has won several good national classes on the 10-year-old by Cavalier Royale.
“I enjoy borrowing her,” said John, who thought he lost the competition when Dermott achieved the turn to the second last fence with a couple less strides.
“You always know you’re in with a chance on Dazzle. She’s a real fighter.”
Earlier, the Princess Royal was present at Olympia to watch Laura Renwick, riding Parvati de Breve, team up to win the Pony Club Mini-Major with Enfield Chace branch member Katie Waldock-Smith on Duncrynes Jungle Bunny.
It was a particularly apposite victory, as Jungle Bunny, one of the really top British Showjumping ponies, was being retired after Olympia, at the age of 23.
Perennial Norwegian visitor Geir Gullikson got the first day of show jumping off to a flying start with victory in the Welcome Two Phase States on Rusedski ll.
