French-based Victor said afterwards, “I wanted to win the class; I saw Sanne’s [Thijssen (NED)] round and then Jack's [Whitaker] and knew I should keep the rhythm.  The mare is always competitive but is sensitive and needs to trust me. I have ridden her for nearly three years. To win a class here is a huge deal, I have known this show since I was a child and always wanted to ride here.  I have made my father (a veterinarian, rider and breeder) very proud as he always wanted to ride at London too.”

Second place Jos Verooy (BEL) riding Parise Van Den Dael (Zazu x For passion d'ive z) said of his first competition of the Show, “This is great preparation for the big classes here. I will probably jump in the CSI5* Cavago Six Bar on Saturday and the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ presented by Agria [on Sunday]”

Third placed Jack Whitaker said : “Valmy (Valmy De La Lande) kicked off the week in a super way! Delighted to be 3rd in the first class of the weekend. He jumped fantastic as always and felt great to have him back out at one of our favourite home shows of the year! It’s a big week for us British riders so I'm looking forward to the rest of the show!”

LeMieux Puissance Easy For Proudley

Britain’s Rachel Proudley and Easy Boy de Laubry Z were the only combination to clear the final round of the 2025 LeMieux Puissance – when the wall was set at a huge 2.21m (7’3”) – to successfully defend their LeMieux Puissance title. 

Rachel, now 20, and Graham Ward’s 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood put in a composed and impressive performance across the five rounds of competition to win the class to the delight of a packed home crowd.

“He is so brave and I can trust him. However, the first few rounds he was a little too brave, but his best round was the fifth round when he really listened to me,” said Rachel.

“When you are jumping the wall on a horse like Easy Boy – it is an amazing feeling, I never worry. Tonight was the biggest we have jumped and maybe the sky is the limit! 

“Going into the arena can be nerve-wracking but he is such an amazing horse it feels so easy. The wall comes up so quickly and then you hear the roar of the crowd as you land, and you hear them standing on their feet and clapping – it’s fantastic.”

The talented Easy Boy de Laubry Z, a stalwart of Puissance competitions in the last year or so, hunts regularly with the Hurworth as whipper-in, and has also led the hound parade at the Royal Yorkshire Show.

Occupying the runner-up position was Britain’s Nathan Bull and Casaltonia, a nine-year-old Olderburg mare, who were unlucky to fall on landing after clearing the penultimate height and then withdrew from the final round. 

“After the fall I am glad that Casaltonia is OK,” said Nathan.

“We pecked on landing and she lost her footing and I went over the handle bars. I have done three Puissances and every time she has just got better and better so I am delighted with her performance.”

Ireland’s Derek McCoppin on Explosief’s Legacy and his compatriot Andrew Hodgins riding Shanaclough Luichew shared third place.

Thirteen pairs contested the class including previous winner Joseph Trunkfield who finished fifth with Locomotion.

All results