Italian rider Luca Moneta jumps to victory on his gallant mare Quovo de Vains to win the Alltech Christmas Puissance at Olympia, London. Credit: Kit Houghton.

London – Under the gaze of an enthusiastic full house at Olympia, The London International Horse Show, Italian Luca Maria Moneta leapt to victory and claimed the Alltech Christmas Puissance title for 2013.Surprisingly, this is Moneta’s first puissance win and quite a win it was with him clearing the 7ft 2in jump in the final round. After going head-to-head with one of Britain’s top riders, Guy Williams on grey mare Richi Rich III, in round five, Luca’s gallant nine-year-old mare Quovo de Vains made it through to the final round.Williams’ grey mare brushed a brick with his knee, leaving Moneta to take the final gamble. Moneta admitted to being apprehensive but was encouraged by the audience. “The crowd here are real horsemen; they make you feel as if they are riding with you,” Moneta said. “I’m really emotional. The mare wasn’t just jumping with her body but with her heart. What made me really happy is that she led me to the fence. She really wanted to do it.”Alltech wishes to congratulate Luca and his mare Quovo de Vains on a well-deserved win, and the company looks forward to welcoming all the riders to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy next August.