Young Army Rider Triumphs At Prestigious London Horse Show

The 2018 Services Showjumping class at the Olympia Horse Show has been won by the Army’s Lance Corporal Laura Charley.

LCpl Charley, representing the 16 Signals Regiment, was fastest in both rounds riding Vice Versa and took the gold medal with a dominant display.

In her first year at Olympia, the 19-year-old won at her first attempt and revealed her equestrian passion comes from her family.

She said: “It was either university and big bills with no horses or Army and be able to do the horses still. My mom’s done it. My nan’s done it. I think it was bred into me."

When discussing her performance, LCpl Charley explained how she thinks she won the event: “The turn-back after fence one to number two.

"I don’t think anybody else really did the turns. They were just trying to go clear.”

In second was the Navy’s Petty Officer Sophie Fuller who finished nearly three seconds behind the winner on Infinaty.

Rounding out the top three was LCpl Holly Hall, who was representing the Royal Logistics Corp as part of the 254 Med Regiment. She rode WKD San Remo but finished nearly six seconds behind Charley after picking up penalty points in her first run.

Last year's champion, Staff Sergeant Ben Moore could not replicate the success and finished last, after his horse Lucas refused to one of the jumps meaning he had to re-do it.

At the half-way point, Squadron Leader Elise Kidd led the way but clipped a fence in her second run to fall down the standings. The same thing happened to Corporal of Horse Andrew Mancey, who was second after the first run, and finished in fourth.

Olympia London International Horse Show 2018 Services Class Results:

1. Lance Corporal Laura Charley (16 Signals Regiment) 45.24 sec (4 faults)
2. Petty Officer Sophie Fuller (Royal Navy- Yeovilton) 48.16 sec (4 faults)
3. Lance Corporal Holly Hall (254 Med Regimentt- Royal Logistics Corp) 51.15 sec (4 faults)
4. Corporal of Horse Andrew Mancey (Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment) 54.38 sec (4 faults)
5. Major Richard Chambers (Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment) 54.44 sec (4 faults)
6. Squadron Leader Elise Kidd (RAF Cosford) 58.32 sec (4 faults)
7. Captain Emily Cooper (General Service Corps- 77 Brigade) 417 sec (8 faults)
8. Staff Sergeant Ben Moore (King’s Troop, RHA) 64.99 sec (8 faults)