‘I felt it flapping and thought I’d better take it off’: number bib malfunction poses a problem at eventing World Championships

Gemma Redrup's avatar
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Published In Features
Fouaad Mirza
Fouaad Mirzariding Seigneur Medicott during the cross-country phase of the Eventing World Championship
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Fouaad Mirza is the sole representative for India at this week’s eventing World Championships in Pratoni Del Vivaro, Italy, but he’s enjoyed a reasonably successful time with a solid completion.

But it wasn’t all plain sailing for Fouaad, as during his cross-country round with Seigneur Medicott, his number bib came loose and he ended up having to discard it halfway round the course as it was flapping around his body and face.

Gemma Redrup
Gemma Redrup
Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor

Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.