Never give up – Harry Charles and ‘dream horse’ Freda pull off the story of the World Championships by landing a fabulous bronze
Harry and the mare he has only been riding three months came from 59th place on Thursday to stand on the individual podium in Aachen today
Harry Charles and LT Holst Freda have pulled off the story of the showjumping World Championships, rising from 59th place on Thursday evening – to winning an individual bronze medal this afternoon.
This combination, who have only been together for three months, went into today’s individual final in 23rd place but jumped clear in the first round, then repeated the feat, one of only three combinations to remain fault-free in both.
They finished on 7.17 penalties, behind champions Steve Guerdat and Dynamix De Belheme of Switzerland and Belgium’s Thibeau Spits and Impress-K van't Kattenheye Z.
“It’s been a rollercoaster of a week,” said an emotional Harry. “Freda has been incredible these whole championships and grown into it.
“To start off, I thought I blew it the first day, knew I blew it the second day! I managed to pull a clear out on Friday and honestly wondered if it was the right thing to even jump today.”
Harry said that even though he and Freda started in 23rd place today, “you never know what could happen”. And he was right; he and the fabulous 12-year-old mare who was initially bought for his wife Eve Jobs to ride but with whom Harry struck up an instant rapport, were absolutely flying. The second-round track proved very, very tough; Harry and Freda’s was the first clear and for a while the only one.
Harry Charles on the World Championships courses
“She felt so fresh, and in the first course she ate it,” Harry said. “A few had fences but it was still a massive long shot going into the second round; I thought just let her do her thing.
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“I knew maybe there wouldn’t be many clears in the second round; it was enormous, and she just ate it again. I can’t believe the feeling I got, and I can’t believe the horse I have.”
After the first round today, Harry said he would have been delighted if that had been the end of the championship for him; he went in under no pressure, just wanting to jump clear.
“I’m just so pleased with her,” he said. “I’m actually happy with myself today as well; I thought I gave her a pretty good ride, and as big as it was, she made it feel very easy.”
Harry said that in May, he had no plans to be at these World Championships and was “probably going to watch it on an iPad”. But then Freda came along.
“She showed up, and she’s a dream horse really,” he said. “She’s so intelligent, doesn’t really get fazed by much. This is still quite a new level for her; she did the World Cup Finals, the biggest atmosphere and courses she’s jumped, but this is again another level up., and it’s amazing how well she handles it. She just gets on with it and is so calm about everything. She’s really a dream to ride.”
Harry said Ewan Mackintosh, Freda’s New Zealand breeder, is in Aachen and came to see her this morning.
“He’s a really nice guy and was really proud of her,” he said. “Freda’s story is incredible... everyone in New Zealand has done an amazing job creating an absolute superstar of a horse, and the nature of her as well is even more special than the talent.”
How far the British team has come
Harry said the British aim for Aachen was winning a medal, and that perhaps there was slight disappointment not to have done even better than they did. In Herning four years ago, Olympic qualification was the main aim and the medal was a huge bonus.
“Which is I think as a team is a great place to be,” he said. “In Herning, we couldn’t believe we got a medal, so I really think it goes to show how far this team has come. We’re of course very happy to get a bronze medal, but we wanted more, and that’s not a bad thing, I don’t think.
“And when we go to LA, we’re going to very much be in the minds of reclaiming our title.”
After his second round, Harry looked back on the week, praising the team performance to win bronze, but adding that he never thought an individual medal would be on the cards.
“It’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid,” he said. “In the youth [ranks] we did championships, and I felt maybe it was something I lacked as a rider; I hadn’t really competed properly in championships. And I really thought I blew it, to be honest.
“But I have an incredible horse. That really is all it comes down to. She got this bronze, and I was just lucky to be sat on her. To all her team, everyone, even in New Zealand, who’s given me so much support, she really deserves a medal. I’m so happy to have given it to her.”
The luck was not with the other British contenders today; Ben Maher and Point Break had an unexpected stop at the wavy planks in the first round, which put them out of contention for the second. Scott Brash and Hello Mango had a rail in the first, then Scott was unseated in the second round. Both Scott and Hello Mango walked away.
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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.