Equestrianism: Skelton scales new heights

NICK SKELTON jumped a 7ft 3in wall on the versatile Everest Limited Edition to become outright winner of yesterday's Martini and Rossi Puissance on the Rome horse show's fourth day, writes Genevieve Murphy from Rome. He had ridden the same horse to win here on Saturday, when speed as well as power was required.

As he approached the wall in yesterday's third and final jump-off, a shoe detached itself from Limited Edition's near- hind foot. The horse was not distracted and leaped well clear of the obstacle, the highest he has ever jumped.

Peter Postelmans, on Omnistor Brandy, then removed some coping from the wall to finish joint second.

Markus Fuchs and Adelfos earlier won the Premio Buscaglione. They would have been beaten had Michael Whitaker and Everest My Mesieur not incurred a penalty for one fence down.

ROME HORSE SHOW: Martini and Rossi Puissance: 1 Everest Limited Edition (N Skelton, GB) clear in third jump-off; 2= Tomboy (P Zobl-Wessely, Aut), Gisowatt Liberty (V Sozzi, It), Omnistor Brandy (P Postelmans, Bel) four faults in third jump-off. Premio Buscaglione: 1 Adelfos AC Folien (M Fuchs, Swit) 65.01sec; 2 Ukase du Marais (H Godignon, Fr) 65.43; 3 Everest My Mesieur (M Whitaker, GB) 67.90. Other British: 7 Grafton Magna (M Lanni) 73.42. Premio Quickfood Italia: 1 Waiti Quito de Baussy (E Navet, Fr) clear, 34.26sec; 2 Pirol (L McNaught-Mandli, Swit) 36.02; 3 Zamira (D Bartalucci, It) clear, 41.14.