The Holsteiner of the Month for December triumphed in the CCI5*-L—the first and only one in the COVID year—in Pau, France. Ridden by Britain's Laura Collett, London by Landos-Quinar (Ocke Riewerts, Alkersum) finished the competition on his dressage score. London has been based at the 31-year-old Briton's yard since 2016. She has successfully represented her country at various European Championships and has now celebrated her first five-star victory in Pau. Peter Thomsen from Großenwiehe once discovered the now eleven-year-old London at a local jumping show. Under Felix Flinzer and later under Stefan Jensen, the gelding from stem 3200 had competed in young horse jumping classes up to medium (M) level. "I simply liked him," recalls Peter Thomsen, "a light, long-legged horse." London stayed in Großenwiehe for only a few months before Laura Collett arrived, who was looking for a horse. A phone call to friends in England—"my own budget wasn't enough for him"—and the dark bay began his journey to Great Britain.
And Laura Collett and London's successes speak for themselves. Eight wins and 36 top-ten placings are currently on the pair's record. Among other achievements, last year they won the CCIO4*-NC-L in Boekelo (NED), the CCI4*-S ERM in Chatsworth (GBR), and this year the CCI4*-S in Little Downham (GBR) and the CCI5*-L in Pau. Reason enough to name London Holsteiner of the Month.

Caption: On the way to victory in the five-star competition in Pau: London and Laura Collett. Photo: Martin Förster, Archive