Puissance Triple for Liverpool International

Holly Smith, Louise Saywell and Christopher Megahey were all crowned the winners of the Liverpool International Horse Show Puissance, sponsored by Equitop Myoplast, on Saturday evening.

The fourth rider to make it to the fifth and final round, Anthony Condon riding Cavalier Rusticana, unfortunately didn’t join the winning team as the pair retired when they encountered difficulties.

Louise Saywell’s ride Dassler, thundered around each round with a magnificent canter and incredible hind leg action. The beautiful bay gelding who is owned by Billy Twomey, had spectators sitting on the edge of their seats as Saywell navigated the power house around the arena.

“The horse is very scopey, and I know he can do it in a class like the puissance” said Louise.

The class got off to a shaky start when Sindre Melbo Ratvick, riding stallion Wehope, refused to jump and was subsequently eliminated from the competition.

Two other combinations chances were also scarpered as horses continually spooked at the second, rainbow decorated fence. It wasn’t long however until initial teething problems were overcome and the competition really got underway.

Ireland’s Shane Breen, riding Cycloon W made it all the way to round four when unfortunately a piece of the red brick wall tumbled to the ground, removing the combinations chances of entry to the next round.

Crowd favourite, Christopher Megahey riding Seapatrick Cruise Cavalier elegantly rode the horse through each round. Despite commentator Geoff Billington marking the stunning chestnut as a centipede, due to his flashy toe-flipping canter, the Irish mans professionalism and determination failed to waiver riding the pair right into the top spot.

“I’ve had the horse for four years, and been really successful with him,” Irishman Christopher said. “I’ve been here every year of the Liverpool show – I think I was third in the puissance in the first year – and it is such a really good show.”