Stardust sprinkles her magic

“Olympia” is warmly welcomed into its new home, with the London show producing a dazzling showcase for young British talent – none more so than double grand prix victor Harry Charles

- PIPPA ROOME, JENNIFER DONALD and ELEANOR JONES

LONGINES FEI WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

1ST HARRY CHARLES (GBR) on Stardust

2ND HARRIE SMOLDERS (NED) on Monaco

3RD JOHN WHITAKER (GBR) on Unick Du Francport

Winning owners: Princess Haya and Peter Charles Breeder: Gestūt Lewitz (Germany) Groom: Georgia Elwood

London International Horse Show, ExCeL London

HARRY CHARLES took the Longines FEI World Cup qualifier in a thrilling jump-off in which the age range of the riders was a whopping 46 years, with old and young alike giving it their all to try to win this prestigious class.

It was a fitting showcase for a superb week of sport in the new home for “Olympia” – and one that felt miraculous in happening at all as Britain teetered on the edge of the Omicron precipice in the build-up to Christmas.

“I can’t tell you the exact feeling but it’s amazing – I’ve been coming here for years and this is the one every rider in Britain, everyone everywhere, wants to win,” said Harry, 22, who was following in the footsteps of his father Peter, who landed this class 20 years ago.