From Badminton to grade A showjumper: meet the ‘barely 15hh’ veteran superstar bidding for speed Derby glory

Jennifer Donald's avatar
By
Published In Features
Simon Grieve riding DRUMBILLA METRO during the showjumping phase of the CCI*** at the Equitrek Bramham International Horse Trials, near Weatherby in Yorkshire. The duo are now bidding for glory in the forthcoming Hickstead speed Derby.
Simon Grieve riding Drumbilla Metro during the showjumping at Bramham in 2017.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Not many horses have jumped round Badminton and Burghley then gone on to achieve grade A status as a showjumper. But 17-year-old superstar Drumbilla Metro is breaking the mould and at Hickstead’s forthcoming Al Shira’aa Derby meeting (20-23 June), the “barely 15hh” gelding and regular rider Simon Grieve will be making their debut in the show’s iconic speed Derby.

The Irish-bred son of Metropole, out of a Touchdown mare, has been owned by Merna Merrett since she bought him as a four-year-old and she describes “Splash” as a “very special little horse”. He is one of two “horses of a lifetime” she’s been fortunate enough to own, the other being five-star showjumper Lammy Beach who has been a star performer for Holly Smith, William and Jim Whitaker and now Isabel Saywell, but was originally produced by Di Lampard.

CATEGORIES
Jennifer Donald
Jennifer Donald
Showjumping and racing editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.