Everything Horse UK Everything Horse Magazine, October 2018 issue 38 | Page 9

Image: Holly Smith and Quality Old Joker equal winners of last year’s Puissance.
Liverpool International
Set to Host Crowd
Pleasing Puissance
Once Again for 2018
Around the world there’s one class that is a sure-fire
winner when it comes to pleasing the crowd – the ever
famous Puissance.
In the electric atmosphere of the iconic Echo Arena,
home to the Liverpool International Horse Show –
December 28 to 31 - the Equitop Myoplast Puissance
has proved time and time it keeps visitors gripped to the
final round and brings out the fighting spirit amongst
the leading names.
Last year proved a three-way split at the top with Chris
Megahey, Holly Smith and Louise Saywell all sharing
the spoils in what proved a thrilling Saturday night
finale.
A capacity crowd at the Echo Arena revelled in a high-
class competition that saw all three riders - Chris on
Seapatrick Cruise Cavalier, Holly with Quality Old
Joker and Louise on Dassler - clear a fifth round height
of seven feet two inches.
Liz Barrett, equine business manager for Equitop
Myoplast, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the
puissance once again.
“Puissance is French for power, so this is a perfect fit
for this brand as power and strength is exactly what
Equitop Myoplast provides for equine athletes.”
Said Show President Nina Barbour: “We are thrilled to
be welcoming back top class sponsors such as Equitop
Myoplast. The product is an integral part of many show
jumper’s success and it is great that they have chosen
to support the 2018 event which is rapidly becoming a
major event in the equestrian calendar.”
ABOUT THE PUISSANCE
The Puissance is one of the most famous show jumping
competitions in the world, designed to push both horse
and rider to their ultimate limits as they clear the huge
red wall.
Accuracy and power are key as there is no room for a
mistake from either the horse or rider when jumping
at such vast heights. The starting heights can vary and
the wall is raised after each round. The winner is the
horse and rider combination that clears the wall at the
greatest height in the final round.
If there is more than one combination left after the final
jump-off stage, then the first prize is shared.
Equitop Myoplast is a unique and 100% natural
supplement for horses, which is packed with 18 key
amino acids including 10 essential amino acids.
The product is used by top British riders including
Olympic Gold Medallist and world number one show
jumper, Scott Brash, who uses Equitop Myoplast to help
ensure his horses receive optimal nutrition for muscle
development and maintenance whilst also supporting
recovery of muscle tissue after the stresses and strains
of competition and travel.
Equitop Myoplast is recommended by veterinary
surgeons and is the number one equine supplement
sold by veterinary practices and pharmacies in the UK.
Make sure you book your tickets and enjoy an equestrian,
fun-filled and glamorous New Year to remember at the
Liverpool International Horse Show.
For more information and to book tickets visit
www.liverpoolhorseshow.com
9 INTERESTING
PUISSANCE FACTS
While spectators and riders alike love the thrill
of the Puissance, we bet you didn’t know these 10
interesting facts about the famous big red wall…
1.Puissance means “power” in French – which is
certainly an apt description of the brave horses
who jump over such an enormous obstacle.
2.It has more than a century of tradition behind it
dating back to 1900.
3.The wall is built out of hollow red “bricks”
made out of wood to make it safer for horse and
rider.
4.The Puissance is a development of the
traditional equestrian high jump competition.
5.Nick Skelton and Lastic set the UK high jump
record in 1978 (before the modern red wall
design), clearing 7ft 7” (2.32m). Nick’s record still
stands.
6.The world puissance record is held by
Germany’s Franke Sloothaak, who cleared 7ft
10 1/2in (2.40m) in Belgium in 1991 riding
Optiebeurs Golo.
7.The youngest ever winner of the Oympia
Puissance is William Whitaker, who won it aged
18 in 2008, riding Insultech Leonardo.
8.Robert Whitaker holds the bareback Puissance
record jumping 2.12m at the Stockholm
International Horse Show in 2011.
9.John Whitaker has won the most number of
Puissance competitions at the Olympia horse
show.
ISSUE 38 • OCTOBER 2018 • EVERYTHING HORSE MAGAZINE 9