Williams makes puissance history

Guy Williams wins a record fifth puissance at the show, and British riders are off to a flying start

- ELEANOR JONES, LUCY ELDER and JENNIFER DONALD

GUY WILLIAMS has become the only rider to have taken the London puissance title five times, clearing 2.18m on Mr Blue Sky UK, the pair’s third London crown in a row. The ExCeL was treated to a nailbiter of a competition as the 12 starters were whittled down to three in the final round.

Guy and Caroline Phillips’ superstar 14-year-old, who have won four London puissances, were the first to go in round five, and they took on the wall as if it were three feet lower and as if they could have cleared a foot higher.

Mark Edwards and Montreuxs Tale clipped a brick, so the only question was whether Guy would share the win or take it outright. And when the two-time Horse of the Year Show puissance winner, Commandant Geoff Curran, found himself and Bishops Quarter in a less-than-ideal spot and pulled up, Guy and the Chacco-Blue gelding had the spotlight to themselves.

“I COME TO WIN” 

ASKED what makes Blue Sky such a specialist, Guy said: “I just think he has natural ability to jump a massive jump and he enjoys it. A lot of horses win a few then go by the wayside, but I don’t think it takes too much out of him; he hops over it five times then goes back to bed. I think he finds it quite easy and that’s why he keeps winning.”

Blue Sky is a “family horse”; Guy’s daughter Maisy has been riding him since she was 14.

“He’s an important part of our family,” he said. “He’s a real favourite and kids love him.”

This is Guy’s fifth win of the London puissance, including a joint victory on Richi Rich in 2011, but no less special.