Equestrianism: Charles crowns night on Impulse: Irishman defeats classy field of international riders to bring down curtain on Olympia Show Jumping Championships

IRELAND'S Peter Charles defeated a classy field of international riders to win the pounds 9,000 first prize in last night's closing contest of the Olympia Show Jumping Championships, the P & O European Ferries Grand Prix.

Charles had been through four lean days while Nick Skelton and Michael Whitaker were winning almost everything in sight. But the tables were turned when the two Britons went out in the opening round with eight and 16 faults respectively while Charles, riding Impulse, had one of nine clear rounds.

Second to go, Charles knew he had to give his opponents a fast time to chase. Having done so, he watched with satisfaction when the Olympic champion, Ludger Beerbaum, finished 0.18sec slower on Almox Ratina. 'I thought I had a chance then, Ratina's a very fast horse,' Charles said.

Sweden's Peter Eriksson filled third place, with James Fisher in sixth on Bowriver Queen and best of the British. Though out of the money in equal 13th, Skelton had already earned enough points to be leading rider of the show.

Charles used to ride for Britain until changing his allegiance to Ireland - where both his parents were born - early last year. He purchased Impulse in April, but was not convinced that the Irish-bred gelding would make a grand prix horse. 'He's the most difficult I've ever ridden, very strong and given to the odd quirky stop,' Charles said. 'Despite all that, he's surprised everyone by pushing himself up the ladder.'

The Skelton / Michael Whitaker domination was still in full swing when they took the top two places in the earlier P & O Ferries Christmas Carol Stakes. Whitaker, riding Everest Monsanta, was first of the two into this speed competition and his do-or-die clear round left Skelton with the sort of challenge that he relishes. Riding Everest Limited Edition, he finished 1.05sec in front.

There was one other serious threat to Skelton. John Whitaker, Michael's elder brother, was last to go on Bikker and he took the first five fences at breakneck speed. But the horse slipped on the turn to the sixth and fell on his side, leaving Skelton with his sixth victory.

The last round of Friday night's puissance could not have been a happy experience for either Limited Edition or Franke Sloothaak's mount, San Patrignano Mister. Both clouted the 7ft 3in wall before sharing first prize. Yet both horses came out with their confidence unimpaired to win yesterday afternoon.

OLYMPIA CHAMPIONSHIPS: P & O Christmas Carol Stakes: 1 Everest Limited Edition (N Skelton, GB) 47.73sec; 2 Everest Monsanta (M Whitaker, GB) 48.78; 3 Almox It's Me (L Beerbaum, Ger) 49.30. P & O Christmas Eve Six Bar: 1 San Patrignano Mister (F Sloothaak, Ger) clear; 2 Zirkana (L Nieberg, Ger) 12 faults; 3 Forester (L McNaught-Mandli, Swit) ret. P & O GP: 1 Impulse (P Charles, Irl) clear, 28.20; 2 Almox Ratina (L Beerbaum, Ger) 28.38; 3 Robin Z (P Eriksson, Swe) 29.16.

(Photograph omitted)