Equestrianism: Paparazzi lights up Schweckhorst

Only seven of the leading show jumpers at this year's Olympia contested the Martin Collins Christmas Masters yesterday, a "winner-takes-all" battle over six increasingly large obstacles. In a thrilling climax the two survivors over four runs, Germany's Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst riding Paparazzi and the Dutchman Eric Van Der Vleuten on Audi's Owendel fought it out, the German narrowly prevailing to take the £12,000 prize.

Pollman-Schweckhorst is known at home as "The Indoor King". It was a masterly performance as the nine-year-old West Palian Paparazzi visibly improved, gaining confidence with every round. His rider was ecstatic. "Today was the day," he said, "he has wings on."

It had not looked possible to better Van Der Vleuten's display on his Swedish mare who shaved the corners to a minimum. Three of the Masters were Whitakers - John, his son Robert and niece Ellen - while the current Irish star Jessica Kurten on her recent acquisition, Jipey Dark, and the veteran Swiss rider Markus Fuchs completed the line-up.

Ellen Whitaker riding Boyram went out in the first round but John on Casino and Robert on Finbarr V, went all the way to round four before faulting. Kurten dropped out at £9,000, while Fuchs, a winner of this contest "about 30 years ago" left in round three after impressive jumping. Paparazzi and Audi's Owendel survived clear again at 1.62 metres in round four for a jump-off. Both would have been deserving winners.