Gondonso gives Simon three in a row

Equestrianism

Equestrianism

GENEVIEVE MURPHY

Hugo Simon's return to the Olympia Show Jumping Championships, in which he last competed 10 years ago, became even more euphoric when the 53-year- old Austrian gained his third victory of the meeting yesterday.

Simon's win on Gondonso in the Snowman Six Bar was particularly satisfying in that he had never the ridden the horse in a competition until he brought him to this meeting.The eight-year-old jumped the only clear of the contest's fourth round, when the last in a straight line of five fences stood at 6ft 1in. Second place was shared by three riders: Ireland's European champion, Peter Charles, on Blue Bayu, John Whitaker on Everest Randi and the Dutchman Wout-Jan van der Schans on Elpasja.

Michael Whitaker also extended his tally to three wins yesterday when the remarkable 17-year-old speed specialist, Everest My Mesieur, won again - defeating the Olympic champion, Ludger Beerbaum, on Sprehe It's Me.

Guy Goosen, a 21-year-old Warwickshire rider, had put his name into the record books when winning Sunday night's P&O Events Puissance on Sagrat. In the process he cleared the red wall when it stood at a massive 7ft 4in.