Britain’s Harry Horton has discussed his journey to five-star with “friend” Cooley With Ambition after their 10th place completion at Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials today (21 June).
Harry and Cooley With Ambition completed their five-star debut on a final score of 71.1 score. They added just time-faults to their 33.5 dressage mark; 35.6 across country and two showjumping time-penalties.
Harry has guided 11-year-old “Dash” up the levels, having bought him as a four-year-old from Richard Sheen at Cooley Farm.
Harry said Dash has been “a joy to produce”. The pair did their first international at Osberton in 2021 and have worked their way up the levels.
“We’ve done everything together. Every level I’ve got to, I’ve been delighted that he’s made it to the next one. He’s a very special horse,” said 30-year-old Harry.
“You always want to do the next level and I said to my wife if I haven’t done a four-star by the time I’m 30, I won’t do it anymore. But now I’ve done a five-star. That’s it, the bug is even stronger than it was before.”
Harry Horton has had a great support team around him leading up to Luhmühlen Horse Trials with groom Lee Honeysett and Dash’s owners Ballinger Equine and the Ambition Syndicate.
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“My owners have all been supporters from day dot,” said Harry.
“The Ambition Syndicate is made up of some family members and owners of previous horses, and Susanna at Ballinger Equine has been my vet for the last 10 years and looked after Dash since we bought him. They’ve been great supporters all the way through.”
Harry receives help from trainers Eric Smiley, John Adams and Helene Brackman.
“Eric has helped me a lot recently, and John helps with the jumping. Helene has been an incredible influence on my career,” said Harry, who has also been taken under the wing of top five-star rider Jonelle Price.
“Jonelle helps me with the cross-country and she keeps me on the straight and narrow. She’s incredibly generous with her expertise and time. I can’t thank her enough for the time she gives me at the big ones.”
Harry not only has enjoyed a top-10 finish at his first five-star, but has kept Dash’s international jumping record blemish-free.
“He’s made it all the way through to five-star without ever having a jumping fault on his FEI record. It was slightly on my conscience that the record existed – I want to keep it up,” laughs Harry.
“It’s a nice record to have, but it’s horrible to have on your mind in the morning before showjumping.”
Harry is in no doubt of the achievement in getting a horse to the top level.
“It’s a total privilege to have a horse at five-star, especially when I’ve had him since he was four,” he said.
“The first good feeling is making it to the event with a fit horse, then it’s just ticking off each phase as we go.”
Harry believes there’s more to come from this talented horse.
“I truly believe that I’ve got a horse far more capable than than top 10, and he showed that this week,” said Harry.
“It’s an absolute privilege to ride him – and to have him as a friend.”
Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
