Crowds delighted by madly good fancy gown at London Horse Present

Dick Whittington and his cat triumphed in a speedy showjumping class on the London Worldwide Horse Present this night, beating stiff competitors from the Ugly Sisters, Cinderella and Prince Charming.

Within the return of the legendary fancy gown class, Dick aka Harry Charles, and “Cat Sampson”, might or might not have jumped the pairs relay sooner than anybody else. The principles began easy – quickest time, with two seconds added per pole down – however then marks out of 10 from every of the three judges, Pippa Funnell, Rory Bremner and Father Christmas himself, have been deducted from the whole time.

The group cheered as Cinderella (a closely made up Joe Stockdale in a floaty blue quantity) and her Prince Charming Jodie Corridor McAteer have been adopted by Ugly Sisters John and Robert Whitaker, each sporting large fetching pink wigs and Robert’s gown that includes a pair of fingers clasping his bosom.

Having jumped, Robert returned to the judges’ desk, stole the paddle they’d have used to grant a ten and galloped spherical the sector brandishing it, however the judges weren’t for turning.

“It didn’t take lengthy to get me trying like an Ugly Sister,” quipped John.

Gemma Stevens as Captain Hook sported some luxurious moustachios, Portuguese rider Duarte Seabra as Mom Goose (“He’s a Portugeese!” Pippa corrected) might have had no thought in regards to the character he was portraying however took on the problem with alacrity and Tim Gredley sparked calls of a repair when he misplaced his stirrup simply as Blame it on the Boogie reached the road “I simply can’t management my ft”.

Then as Matt and Harry have been attributable to are available as final pair, their opponents, additionally together with eventers Austin O’Connor, Laura Collett, Shane Breen, Lily Attwood and Shane Breen, stormed the sector, placing jumps up and working riot, one Ugly Sister falling on her face when chased by Dick Whittington’s cat.

However Harry and Matt rose to the event and have been declared victors, setting straight off on an impromptu lap of honour to the cheering crowd’s delight.

“I’ve had a tough week so to finish the present on a excessive like this with my good mate – you don’t get this at another present on this planet,” Harry stated, as all of the riders returned for a prizegiving mounted solely on pastime horses. “It’s so good to have a little bit of enjoyable and thanks to the gang. That is the most effective present on this planet.”

Matt agreed: “That is simply wonderful. Everyone loves it, it brings everyone collectively – and we obtained the prospect to beat a number of the greatest eventers on this planet and present them they should practise their showjumping! Thanks everybody for coming; it’s the most effective present on this planet, and the most effective crowd on this planet.”

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H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Enthusiastic about equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all elements of the trade, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of alternative is showjumping, through which she competes her personal horses, and he or she additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping reveals by way of to worldwide championships.