Equestrianism: Smith denied by narrowest of margins

Dermott Lennon deprived Robert Smith of a weekend double at the Olympia Show Jumping Championships yesterday, with the Irish world champion on Ginger Watt defeating the in-form Briton on Kalusha by the tiny margin of 0.16sec in the Christmas Cake Accumulator. It was the first visit to the London show for Lennon, who has been much in demand since winning his title in September. Now based in the Netherlands, he has been back to Ireland almost every week to attend receptions in between shows.

John Whitaker, who had taken a horrid-looking fall with Carmen when on his way to winning Saturday evening's Sony Ericsson Santa Stakes, returned with the same mare and – to the relief of his many vociferous supporters – jumped a quiet confidence-boosting round to finish eighth in the Accumulator.

Smith had given British show jumping a boost on Saturday when he rode the eight-year-old stallion, Marius Claudius, to win the Sony Ericsson World Cup Qualifier, with its first prize of £18,500. Smith had earned the valued last slot in this contest when winning Friday's pre-qualifier on Mr Springfield, which also gave him the distinction of being the first rider at any world cup venue to win both classes on two different horses.

Germany's Lars Nieberg had achieved the only clear jump-off round on Adlantus before Smith, the last of six to go against the clock, completed a faster clear to a roar of approval. The other four jump-off contenders had made single errors while recording quicker times, leaving Germany's Markus Merschformann third on Camirez. Next came Lennon on his world title partner, the mare Liscalgot, and two Britons with promising nine-year-old horses – Andrew Davies on Limbo and Richard Davenport on Luc.

When he walked the initial 12-fence course, Smith had delivered some blunt complaints to Bob Ellis who designed it. "There were a lot of half-distances and some big oxers, where horses had to sit right back on their haunches," Smith said. The difficult distances were particularly evident in the line that included the treble, where a number of horses took off uncomfortably far away from the final element.

Marius Claudius had "a bit of trouble" there in the opening round, but was foot-perfect in the jump-off. "He's gutsy and a real scrapper in the ring; he's careful too, with a lot of jump," Smith said. Could he be the best horse that the 41-year-old son of Harvey has ever ridden? "He's creeping up to it!" Smith is now hoping to compete at the World Cup shows at Bordeaux and Vigo in February, with the aim of qualifying for the Las Vegas final in April.

Whereas Smith's mount produced a wonderfully promising performance, the Whitaker brothers had disappointing rounds, with Michael having two errors on Handel II and John having three fences down on Lord Z. But the most unhappy Briton on the day was Tim Stockdale, who retired his World Games partner, Fresh Direst Parcival, after two uncomfortable attempts at the influential treble.

OLYMPIA SHOW JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS (London): Saturday: Sony Ericsson World Cup Qualifier: 1 Marius Claudius (R Smith, GB) clear, 50.53sec; 2 Adlantus (L Nieberg, Ger) clear, 53.55; 3 Camirez (M Merschformann, Ger) 4 faults, 41.75. Western European League of World Cup standings: 1 R Pessoa (Br) 58pts; 2 J Lansink (Bel) 46; 3 M Michaels-Beerbaum (Ger) 45. Best GB: 15 R Smith 20; 16 R Davenport 19. Pounds for Points: 1 Lactic (J Whitaker, GB) 1,230pts, 50.06sec; 2 Fresh Direct Glenwood Springs (T Stockdale, GB) 1,100, 54.81; 3 Filias (O Becker, Ger) 1,030, 51.24. Sony Ericsson Santa Claus: 1 Dobel's Fiala (O Becker, Ger) clear, 34.84sec; 2 Pompidu (B Mandli, Swit) clear, 35.07; 3 Arko III (N Skelton, GB) clear, 35.78. Yesterday: Sony Ericsson Masters "Winner Takes All": LB Lacorrado (B Mandli, Swit) won £14,000. Christmas Cake Accumulator: 1 Ginger Watt (D Lennon, Irl) 65pts, 50.43sec; 2 Kalusha (R Smith, GB) 65, 50.59; 3 Adolf (F Sloothaak, Ger) 65; 51.24. BEIB Horse of the Year Awards: Eventing: Shear H20 (L Law). Dressage: Blue Circle Boy (L Pearson). Show Jumping: Handel II (M Whitaker).