From David Broome to Scott Brash, nearly all of Great Britain’s leading showjumpers will have cut their teeth on the county circuit at some point in their careers. Here, we take a trip down memory lane to a time when the stars of the sport were household names, cigarette companies sponsored all things equestrian and riders only had to drive down the road to compete for some of the richest prize money in the world…
1. A 24-year-old Michael Whitaker riding Amanda, on his way to winning a Crosse & Blackwell-sponsored class at the Royal Show in 1984, when the event was used as a GB team selection trial
M WHITAKER AND AMANDA AT THE ROYAL SHOW JULY 1984 - CROSSE AND BLACKWELL WINNER
(Image credit: STUART NEWSHAM)
2. A legion of fans followed the great Graham Fletcher and he draws in immense crowds at the Great Yorkshire Show in 1981 when competing on Buttevant Boy
Graham Fletcher riding Buttevant Boy
Great Yorkshire Show,1981
(Image credit: Kit Houghton)
3. The much-loved combination of Marion Mould and Stroller competing at the Royal Show in 1971
THE ROYAL SHOW - MARION MOULD ON STROLLER 1971
(Image credit: NO CREDIT)
4. Rowland Fernyhough and Bouncer riding in the Benson & Hedges Championships at Cardiff Castle in 1976, billed as the ‘world’s richest horse show’
1976 Rowland Fernyhough and Bouncer, with Cardiff CASTLE in the Backgrund at cardxiff benson and hedges champs
(Image credit: no credit)
5. A 19-year-old John Whitaker and Ryan’s Son winning the Midland Bank Cock O’ the North Championship at Great Yorkshire Show in 1975
GREAT YORKSHIRE
RYANS SON MIDLAND BANK COCK OF THE NORTH CHAMPIONSHIP 1975
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
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6. Nick Skelton, at the age of 20, riding Everest Louisiana at the South Of England County Show in 1978
NICK SKELTON
EVEREST LOUISIANA
SOUTH OF ENGLAND COUNTY SHOW
1978
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
7. David Broome riding Bess at the Bath And West Show in 1976 where they were the winners of the Berni Inn Stakes
BATH AND WEST SHOW 1976
DAVIS BROOME RIDING BESS WINNETS OF THE BERNI INN STAKES
(Image credit: ODHAMS)
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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.
