Equestrianism: Sloothaak eyes record prize

FRANKE SLOOTHAAK, of Germany, will be pursuing the richest prize in the history of show jumping when he competes in the Olympia Championship from 16 to 20 December, writes Genevieve Murphy. The London venue will stage one of four legs of the sport's new Grand Slam series of World Cup qualifiers; there is pounds 408,000 on offer to anyone who wins them all.

The participation of Sloothaak, who won the first leg in Berlin on Saturday, was confirmed yesterday. Olympia will stage the World Cup qualifier on the Championships' third day. Brussels and Paris complete the series in the new year.

Though Sloothaak is the only one who can hit the jackpot, there are other tempting rewards. Winning three in the series will earn pounds 204,000; two in a row carries a prize of pounds 81,600; and any two nets pounds 40,800.