Summary

  • Use play icon at the top of page for live coverage from the London ExCel Arena

  • Olympic event rider Gemma Stevens (nee Tattersall) contests her first Puissance on Envoy Merelsnest Z

  • The Puissance, also known as the 'big red wall' is the main event of the night

  • The wall is put up higher each round, reaching up to 7ft tall - the highest jumping competitor wins

Live Reporting

  1. What is the Puissance?

    Great Britain's Guy Williams riding Mr Blue Sky in the Cayenne Puissance at the 2018 London International Horse showRex Features

    The London International Horse Show is one of Britain’s most famous equestrian competitions. First held in 1907, the show features a range of events across the equestrian disciplines from showjumping and dressage to the Shetland Pony Grand National.

    Today features live coverage of the Puissance – a classic test of jumping skills. Each competitor faces a series of jumps over the “big red wall”, which gets higher with each successful attempt. A competitor is knocked out if they knock the jump down or their horse refuses – and the contestant with the highest jump at the end is declared the winner.

    Puissance means “power” and the event once featured in the Olympics, back in 1900. The current record for highest jump in the event was set in 1991 by German rider Franke Sloothaak, who took his horse Optiebeurs Golo to a jump of 2.40m in Charleroi, Belgium.

  2. How to watch the London International Horse Show

    BBC iPlayer

    Friday 15th December

    The Puissance-20:50 - 22:00 GMT Red Button, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Website & app

    Sunday 17th December

    Show Jumping World Cup -14:30 - 16:30 GMT BBC Two, Red Button, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Website & App

    Monday 18th December

    London Grand Prix -18:00 - 22:00 GMT Red Button, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Website & App

    All coverage available to watch back on demand viaBBC iPlayer.

  3. How to get into equestrian sports

    BBC Sport

    The most enjoyable aspect to horse riding is the bond you create with a horse or pony whilst being outside in the fresh air, once you have mastered the basics there are a number of equestrian disciplines and equine sports you could specialise in as your confidence, skill and knowledge grows.

    Competitively, it is one of the very few sports where women and men can compete equally.

    Sitting on a horse may not seem like an obvious form of exercise but it pretty much involves all the muscles in your body, between ensuring posture and balance, and controlling the horse.

    You don't need to own your own horse or pony to start riding, however you do need specialist instruction to find the right horse for you.

    Hoofride is a great place to find out about local riding schools and information for total beginners whatever your age.

    • Show jumping is where horse and rider jump over coloured fences, obstacles and water jumps.
    • The main aim is to get around without a refusal or knocking over a fence for which the horse and rider are given penalty points.
    • In the result of everyone jumping a clear round, then a jump off will take place usually against the clock.
    • This sport is something that novice riders can take part in at a grassroots pony club or riding club level.
    • Visit British Showjumping for more details on the rules, where to find a trainer.

    Harry Charles speaks after winning the World Cup qualifier and the Grand Prix at 2022 competition