Equestrianism: Genesis scare for Godignon

HERVE GODIGNON won the Premio Stet for France on the fourth day of the Rome horse show in the Piazza di Siena yesterday, but victory nearly went to the former British team horse Genesis, ridden by George Lindemann of the United States, who was runner-up, writes Genevieve Murphy from Rome.

Genesis had a faster time but incurred the five-second penalty for one fence down - as did Britain's Michael Whitaker, who finished fourth on Everest My Mesieur. This was Lindemann's second show with the chestnut, who was rumoured to be on the market for pounds 750,000 before being failed by a vet. 'Basically he's a sound horse but there were some funny X-rays,' Lindemann said.

The British team manager, Ronnie Massarella, has chosen Nick Skelton on Everest Dollar Girl to go first for Britain in today's Nations Cup. He will be followed by Michael Whitaker on Midnight Madness, Warren Clarke on Benjumin and John Whitaker on Gammon.

ROME HORSE SHOW: Fourth day: Premio Stet: 1 Si Jolie II (H Godignon, Fr) 68.91sec; 2 Genesis (G Lindemann, US) 71.22; 3 Loro Piana Eikorn (F Moyersoen, It) 71.56. Premio Quirinale: 1 Mot & Chandon Quinta (W Melliger, Swit) clear, 32.52; 2 Bollworm's Barber (R Bril, Neth) clear, 34.29; 3 San Patrignano Babouchka (M Robert, Fr) clear, 34.96.