Markus Ehning, one of the German Olympic team gold medallists in Sydney, rode For Pleasure to win yesterday's Christmas Cracker on the third day of the Olympia Show Jumping Championships. In the process the 27-year-old German made sure of his place in today's World Cup Qualifier for which the top 18 from yesterday's contest became eligible.

Ehning, who proved his talent early at pony, junior and young rider levels when winning two team gold medals in each category, jumped a beautifully polished round on the stallion to defeat Peter Charles on Carnavelly by 0.13sec, with Germany's Franke Sloothaak in third place on Joli Coeur.

Gaining a place in today's big contest was, however, almost as important as winning prizemoney yesterday. The six Britons to achieve qualification (headed by Tim Stockdale on Parcival and Richard Davenport on Grand Marnier, who both jumped clear to finish ninth and 12th respectively) could therefore be pleased with the result of their efforts. The other home riders in today's line-up will be Damien Charles, Michael and John Whitaker and Di Lampard, all of whom had a single error yesterday.

Davenport, at present the leading rider on the Western European League of the World Cup, had been given a last minute invitation to compete here earlier this week and, after the publicity surrounding his eleventh hour inclusion, the 21-year-old rider from Cheshire had been anxious that the hype would not end up as a damp squib. There was, however, no sign of anxiety during Davenport's confident clear round.

The difficulties involved in having to get through the pre-qualifier were emphasised by other riders – notably Markus Fuchs, the Swiss holder of the World Cup, who had two fences down on Tinka's Boy, and Robert Smith who retired Kalusha. They would have been among today's favourites, but both failed to qualify.

Smith had gained his third victory of the meeting when he rode Mr Springfield to win the earlier Champagne Taittinger Stakes, defeating another home rider, Mark Armstrong on Warren, by 0.79sec. Third place in this closely-fought contest went to the former world champion, Sloothaak, riding Gio Granno, who finished just 0.25sec further back.

As was inevitable, Pippa Funnell became the British Equestrian Writers' Association's Personality of the Year. This followed her victory on Supreme Rock in October's European Three-Day Event Championships at Pau in France, where she was also a member of the winning British team.

The sport of eventing had another bonus yesterday, when it was announced that Masterfoods (the new identity of Mars' food and pet care businesses in the UK) had agreed to be title sponsors of the Burghley Horse Trials for the next two years. This was not so much the signing up of a brand new sponsor as the return of a valued friend under a new name, for the Lincolnshire event had been supported by Pedigree which is part of the Masterfoods brand.

In the difficult times which have resulted from the decimation of this year's eventing season through foot-and-mouth disease, Burghley event director, Bill Henson, naturally regarded the announcement as "excellent news".

OLYMPIA SHOW JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS: The Christmas Cracker: 1 For Pleasure (M Ehning, Ger) clear, 64.06sec; 2 Carnavelly (P Charles, Irl) clear, 64.19; 3 Joli Coeur (F Sloothaak, Ger) clear, 65.56. Champagne Taittinger Stakes: 1 Mr Springfield (R Smith, GB) clear, 50.16; 2 Warren (M Armstrong, GB) clear, 50.95; 3 Gio Granno (F Sloothaak, Ger) clear, 51.20. Young Show Jumper of the Year: 1 Quickstar V (R Willis) clear, 38.85sec; 2 Sunny Top II (R Whitaker) clear, 39.76; 3 Prince Termie (C Frazer) 4 faults, 41.47. British Equestrian Writers' Association Awards: Equestrian Personality of the Year: P Funnell. Vivien Batchelor Trophy for leading young rider: J Davenport. Liz Dudden Trophy for contribution to equestrian sport: M Bullman. BEIB Horse of the Year awards: Eventing: Stunning (W Fox-Pitt). Dressage: Gambrinus (P Storr). Show Jumping: Handel II (M Whitaker).