There’s no need for football to come home, as showjumping has done it, again, was the verdict as Great Britain triumphed in the 2026 Agria Nations Cup at the Royal International Horse Show.

The team had been victorious in 2023 and 2024 but having just been pipped by Germany last year, came back to win with a fence in hand.

Jessica Mendoza (Summerhouse), Adrian Whiteway (Chacco Volo), Tim Gredley (Medoc De Toxandria) and Ben Maher (Catelly) finished on a total of eight faults, two fences ahead of Ireland, with Canada third on 24. Tim and his superstar campaigner Medoc jumped one of only two double clears to help seal Britain’s third win on home soil in four years.

Chef d’equipe Di Lampard said it was good to be back at the top.

“You talk about teamwork, this is what it’s all about, isn’t it?” she said, paying tribute to the teams behind the team, and her right-hand man Stanny Van Paesschen.

“I was quietly confident this morning, and yes, I had a bit of a nervous jitter towards the end of the second round – but I had every confidence in them.”

2026 Agria Nations Cup: Britain flying from the off

Britain was on flying form from the start; the first combination in, Jessica and her own 11-year-old gelding – a half-brother to her championship ride In The Air – jumped a textbook clear, sure and rhythmical, to give the team the best possible start, especially as it was the only clear in the first rotation of riders.

By the time Adrian came in, Britain’s was still the only clear. Chacco Volo did not touch a pole, but inexplicably stopped at the water, and the resulting time-faults meant they finished on a total of 20. Third in was Tim and the Gredleys’ and Unex Competition Yard’s 14-year-old, who were never in danger of touching a fence.

The luck had not been with Ireland in the first round; David Simpson and his Hickstead Derby hero Pjotr Van De Kruishoeve and Shane Breen and the versatile Scarteen had clocked up an uncharacteristic eight faults apiece, and team debutante Michaeli Byrne and MSH Claregalway four. But Conor Swail’s clear with Clonterm Obolensky put the team total at 12 and the pressure on by the time Ben came in with new ride Catelly.

Again, Ben and the 14-year-old owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright did not touch a pole – but again it was the water that was an issue, as Catelly went into it with a back foot.

This meant the team had a first-round total of four, a fence ahead of Brazil and two ahead of Ireland and the UAE. European champions Belgium and France were in seventh and eighth place, with 21 and 24 faults respectively, so missed out on the second round.

This rotation of riders led to a shake-up of the team order; Canada had finished round one in fifth place on 16 faults but Chris Pratt and Ideaal ES jumped clear and Kyle King (Kayenne Z) and Nicole Walker (Panter JVH) for four, so Amy Millar and Gaiete D’Elle’s five – an unlucky clip of the last fence and a time-fault – could be dropped for a total of 24. This was the same total as the UAE, who clocked up 12 in each round, but Canada’s faster time secured the podium. Brazil added four fences down in total to finish fourth.

In the second round, Jessica and Summerhouse clipped the troublesome early double, and Chacco Volo had an uncharacteristic two rails, which meant the pressure was on Tim and Medoc, who went round like the pros they are to leave everything up.

So in the end, it all came down – as it often has here before – to Ireland and the Brits. David and Pjotr had jumped for four, Michaeli eight and Shane and Scarteen a beautiful clear. So had Conor and Oliver Glancy’s 10-year-old clipped a single rail, or gone a second over the time, it would have been a home win without Ben needing to jump again. But their round was fast and faultless, the only other double clear secured, and leaving all the pressure on Ben’s shoulders. He could have one fence, two would have meant a jump-off with the Irish.

But Catelly wasn’t going to touch the water this time, and he flew everything else, clearing the last oxer to rapturous applause.

Ben paid tribute to the team at Hickstead, for the perfect going, sponsors Agria and the crowd.

“I’ve only had Catelly four months, so he was thrown in the deep end a bit, and we’re still making the odd mistake,” he said. “It was a bit of a unique fault I had in the first round; I don’t think I’ve ever seen a horse with a back foot in a water jump! So I had to make a bit of a plan B and got away with it.

“Then to come back, it was great to be able to finish it for this amazing team. I thought they were lying to me when I went in, that I had two jumps in hand and they’d told me one so I didn’t get too sloppy So I need to pay a bit more attention but Catelly jumped amazing, and showed what he can do. I’m very lucky to have the team of horses I have.”

Coming back to win

Jesssica and Adrian both jumped on this team last year and both were delighted to return and secure the win.

“I’ve had Chacco a long time, we’ve done it all together, and I’ve had an amazing season,” Adrian said. “This is actually probably the worst day we’ve had, unfortunately. But he’s an amazing, amazing horse. Unlucky today but that’s showjumping, and we’ll come back next time.”

Tim and Medoc were on the winning team here in 2023 and 2024, and Tim was delighted by the hat-trick, adding that Hickstead is the “holy grail” of showjumping.

“It’s where the showjumping all began for me, and I really want to give back to them every single year,” he said. “So to come here, jump a double clear and win on the team is brilliant, what it’s all about.

“Medoc got my career exactly back where I wanted to be, he’s been brilliant. Today was always the plan, we’ve been building towards this, and it’s come off. It’s very rare that plans come off, but it’s a nice feeling when they do.”

“This is for Bob”

Di added that the win was dedicated to the late legendary course-builder Bob Ellis

“We really wanted to win this year for Bob,” she said. “We all learned round his courses, they’re renowned all round the world. So talking to his daughter, we said we want to win at Hickstead. His memorial is in August and she said ‘I won’t be able to come [to Aachen], but bring a medal back’. Bob’s looking down on us.”

Hickstead director Edward Bunn thanked Agria, as without such support these shows cannot happen, and his team for their tireless weeks of work since the Derby meeting to ensure the ground was as good as it could be.

“Congratulations to Team GBR, to Di and her team,” he said. “Football doesn’t need to come home – showjumping does it for them.”

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A stellar quartet of British showjumpers is bidding for glory in this afternoon’s Hickstead Nations Cup (Friday 24 July).

A team win on home soil is one of the pinnacles of the sport for any rider, so expect some fierce competition when the flags go up for all eight nations competing in the CSIO5* Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain at 2.15pm today in Hickstead’s International Arena.

Hickstead Nations Cup: who is on the British team?

So who has chef d’equipe Di Lampard selected for her Hickstead Nations Cup team this afternoon?

Two members of the Great Britain squad heading to the showjumping world championships next month will be flying the flag, Ben Maher, who was on the gold medal-winning team at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and Adrian Whiteway, who will be making his senior championship debut.

Ben brings forward his relatively new ride Catelly, who was bought by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright for the triple Olympic gold medallist just three months ago, and they were part of Great Britain’s winning Longines League of Nations (LLN) squad in Rotterdam last month.

There will be a great reception for the hugely popular duo of Adrian Whiteway and Chacco Volo, who will be making their final team appearance before heading to Aachen as part of Great Britain’s World Championship squad. It’s been a fairytale couple of years for 35-year-old Adrian, who made his five-star Nations Cup debut here last year with Deborah Cox’s 13-year-old stallion and a win at Hickstead would be the perfect send-off.

US-based Jessica Mendoza is back in Europe for the summer and has made it on to the non-travelling reserve list for the showjumping World Championships in Aachen. She is riding her own 11-year-old bay gelding Summerhouse, with whom she has been competing since early 2024, and was also part of the winning team in Rotterdam this summer. They too were on the team that was just pipped to second by Germany in this Nations Cup in 2025.

Tim Gredley was part of the celebrated team that brought showjumping home in the Hickstead Nations Cup of 2023 with the country’s first Nations Cup victory on home soil for 13 years. His trusty partner, 13-year-old Medoc De Toxandria, is a veteran of two championships – one with Tim and one with Matt Sampson – and countless Nations Cups.

Good luck to the British team and we look forward to another cracking Nations Cup at Hickstead.

British Nations Cup team for Hickstead 2026

• Harry Charles with nine-year-old Fighting Phil, owned by Harry / 16-year-old Casquo Blue, owned by Harry’s father Peter Charles and Stall Zet.
• Ben Maher and 14-year-old Catelly, jointly owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright.
• Jessica Mendoza riding 13-year-old In The Air, owned by Permilla Amman, Georgia Kipp, Jessica Mendoza, Kristi Mitchem and Melissa Skowlund / 11-year-old Summerhouse, owned by Permilla Amman, Georgia Kipp, Jessica Mendoza, Kristi Mitchem and Melissa Skowlund, AKA “The Moms’ Club”
• Tim Gredley with 13-year-old Medoc De Toxandria, owned by Tim’s wife Rachel Gredley, his father William Gredley and Unex Competition Yard.
• Adrian Whiteway with 13-year-old stallion Chacco Volo, who is owned by Deborah Cox.
• Chef d’equipe: Di Lampard

The Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain takes place at 2.15pm this afternoon, Friday 24 July, at Hickstead.

How to watch the Hickstead action

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The British team for the showjumping World Championships in Aachen, Germany (18-23 August) has been revealed, led by Olympic gold medallists Scott Brash, Harry Charles and Ben Maher.

This terrific trio have formed the backbone of countless teams in recent years but the Paris 2024 heroes all bring different horses to this year’s championships.

Scott Brash has an enviable string to choose from and he's picked the stunningly beautiful and uber-talented Hello Mango over his gold medal-winning partner Hello Jefferson and dual European silver medallist Hello Folie, who will act as Scott’s direct reserves. Since Scott's championship debut in 2010 on Intertoy Z, the ice-cool Scotsman has developed into a phenomenal team stalwart but he will also be bidding for a first individual gold medal.

The former Olympic champion Ben Maher travels to Aachen with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s 12-year-old stallion Point Break, but with Catelly and Enjeu Du Grisien as top quality back-up.

Harry Charles’ world championship selection with brand new ride, LT Holst Freda is one of the sport’s greatest stories. Just three months ago, the world championships seemed a distant pipe dream for 26-year-old Harry after he stepped away from top-level sport to rebuild his string of horses.

Twelve-year-old mare Freda was bought just three months ago after she contested this year’s World Cup Final with New Zealand rider Julie Davey, initially for Harry’s wife Eve to ride. But Harry fell in love with the mare and at just their third show together in June, the pair helped Great Britain win the Longines League of Nations (LLN) in Rotterdam with a double clear followed by a spectacular jump-off performance. It’s not often you’ll see such a new partnership competing for a world title but Harry and Freda are clearly the perfect match.

Aachen will be a championship debut for 35-year-old Adrian Whiteway and his clear round machine Chacco Volo, with the pair having delivered a string of faultless performances on Nations Cup teams in recent years, just succumbing to the odd time fault along the way although those are becoming increasingly rare nowadays. The pair’s exceptional double clear in the Rome Nations Cup in May marked them as serious contenders.

It’s not often riders end up with a horse of the same name, but commentators will be able to have a lot of fun with our final combination on Great Britain’s five-man squad, Jack and Jack. Jack Whitaker first teamed up with Jack JL – the third grey on the squad – last season, but they’ve quickly come to prominence, firstly as part of the winning LLN team in St Tropez last year, with plenty more eye-catching five-star rounds now under their belts.

It’s now up to chef d’equipe Di Lampard and assistant Stanny van Paesschen to reveal which of this quintet will form the final four at the showjumping World Championships in Aachen next month.

Waiting in the wings on Great Britain’s reserve list are Joe Stockdale (Ebanking), who was part of the bronze medal-winning team at the last world championships in 2022, plus Tim Gredley (Medoc De Toxandria) and Jessica Mendoza with Summerhouse.

British team for showjumping World Championships 2026

Scott Brash, 40, with 11-year-old mare Hello Mango (Untouchable 27 x Numero Uno)
Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham
Breeder: HPH Vaessen
Groom: David Honnet

Harry Charles, 26, with 12-year-old mare LT Holst Freda (Colman x Casall Ask)
Owners: rider and Eve Jobs
Breeder: E Mackintosh
Groom: Georgia Ellwood

Ben Maher, 43, with 12-year-old stallion Point Break (Action-Breaker x Baloubet Du Rouet)
Owners: Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright
Breeder: Nya Äppelvikens Ridskola
Groom: Gwen Bellamy

Jack Whitaker, 24, with Jack JL (Bessemeind’s Quasimodo Z x Astrello)
Owner: Candice Reilly
Breeder: JE Lammerts-Weide
Groom: Paul Collier

Adrian Whiteway, 25, with 13-year-old stallion Chacco Volo (Chacco-Blue x Cathago)
Owner: Deborah Cox
Breeder: Gestut Lewitz
Groom: Rhi Watson

Reserves in alphabetical order

Tim Gredley, 40, with 14-year-old gelding Medoc De Toxandria (Der Senaat III x Kelvin De Sainte Hermelle)
Owners: Rachel Gredley, William Gredley and Unex Competition Yard
Breeder: Werner Dierckx)

Jessica Mendoza, 30, with 11-year-old gelding Summerhouse (Induparts Guidam Sohn x VDL Indoctro)
Owners: Pernilla Amman, Georgia Kipp, Kristi Mitchem, Melissa Skowlund and rider
Breeder: C Den Boer

Joe Stockdale, 26, with 12-year-old stallion Ebanking (Etoulon x Aranebel)
Owners: Barbara Hester and Laura Stockdale
Breeder: E Vriend

These definite entries for the British Equestrian jumping team are announced in collaboration with British Showjumping and World Class Programme principal partner Agria.

• To stay up to date with the latest equestrian news in the run up to the 2026 World Championships in Aachen, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Ben Maher and his team were unsure whether Maddox VH Haringvliet Z would ever come back to his sport after extensive treatment for a stomach issue – but he rode the nine-year-old to a fabulous grand prix win at Chard.

The Zangersheide gelding had six months off after last summer but was on top form on Sunday, looking full of jumping and zest as they cruised to win the CSI3* Chedington Equestrian grand prix over six and a half seconds ahead of Carron Nicol and RRH Out Of The Blue.

“He’s a big horse with a great brain and one of the nicest in the stable. This is his first big win and we’re going to enjoy it,” said Ben.

“I didn’t expect to win with such a big margin, but I went early, don’t like not being fast enough and expected the others to come much closer. I can’t remember the last time I won by such a big margin.

“Maddox is amazing, very promising, but last year he had a horrible time, and he missed the best of the whole year. He’d jumped well in Aachen, but he wasn’t quite right; we eventually found out there was something wrong with his stomach and under a specialist, he had a lot of treatment which took a long time. We weren’t sure he was ever going to make a comeback.”

Maddox VH Haringvliet Z on good form

But Maddox VH Haringvliet Z has been in fine form since he has returned to the ring, securing CSI5* placings at Aachen and St Gallen before this Ben’s first trip to Chard.

“It’s a great place, good food and with great people who try really hard – Jane [Gregory] and her team of organisers deserve the thanks,” Ben said. “I had my kids here and it was lovely to have a place where they could get out of the sun. I was very happy to support this show – good courses and good sport and my horses learned a lot here; it was a high standard and there were no easy wins.”

Only eight of 27 starters went through to the jump-off; Ben said the course was big and technical.

“This show at Chard was ideal for [Maddox] to be at a level where he needs to be to show what he can do,” Ben said. “He’s nine but lost so much [time] last year. On Friday he was second, there were a couple of turns that were for a more experienced horse and he just hung a lot, but the grand prix was more free-flowing and we were quicker.

“I’ll pick and choose the shows for him, he doesn’t need to be pushed. I think he’s got what it takes and I’ll try to produce him to be ready for next year.”

Tim Gredley and his championship ride Medoc De Toxandria took third place.

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Medal-winning veterans and some new up-and-coming stars feature on the British showjumping shortlist for the Aachen World Championships (11 to 23 August).

One combination from the team that won silver at last year’s European Championships – Scott Brash and Hello Folie – is included in the list of 11 riders and 15 horses from which the final squad will be confirmed. The final squad of five combinations must be submitted to the FEI by 23 July, following a final meeting on or around 16 July.

The selection panel comprises chef d’equipe Di Lampard and non-voting chair of selectors Sarah Rowell and the aim is to select those most likely to achieve the objectives; of qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and winning as many medals as possible.

The selection will of course take into account combination results, including in five-star Nations Cup and grands prix, this year and last.

Scott and Ben Maher, currently third and fourth in the Longines world rankings, look certain to feature in the world championships squad and both have three rides on the British showjumping shortlist. As well as Folie, with whom he also won individual silver last year, Scott has his Paris 2024 team gold medal-winning Hello Jefferson and the rising star Hello Mango, all three owned by Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham. Scott has been on flying form this year, winning five-star grands prix on all three horses.

Ben is named with his stalwarts Enjeu de Grisien and Point Break; he came fourth with the former in the Rolex Aachen grand prix this month and won the five-star grand prix in Rotterdam last week with the latter. He is also down with Catelly – owned as are the other two by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright – whom he has only been riding since May but with whom he was on the team that won the Longines League of Nations (LLN) in Rotterdam this month.

Harry Charles has with Scott and Ben been the backbone of recent British championship teams but has been rebuilding his string. He is named with another new ride; his own and wife Eve Jobs’ LT Holst Freda, whom he only started riding a month ago but with whom he jumped double clear in the Rotterdam LLN to help secure that British win, sealing the deal in a jump-off thriller.

Rising stars Adrian Whiteway and Chacco Volo have been impressing on Nations Cup teams and top-level shows since their CSI5* debut a year ago; they are also on the British showjumping shortlist for Aachen.

Joe Stockdale, who helped Britain to team bronze at the last World Championships is on the list, this time with Ebanking who has been competitive at five-star level this year. Jessica Mendoza, who shone as an individual at last year’s Europeans, is selected with Summerhouse, who was also on that winning team in Rotterdam. Matt Sampson is named with Un Secreto Z, the horse with whom he came fourth in his first five-star grand prix at Windsor last month, and won at the Hickstead Derby meeting – and whom Matt describes as the best in his string at the moment. Sienna Charles and home-bred Chawton were also on the winning team in Rotterdam, jumping clear to set up the jump-off.

Jack Whitaker, Jodie Hall McAteer and Tim Gredley are the riders who complete the British showjumping shortlist for Aachen – we will have to wait and see who makes the final cut.

Selection also takes into account results in other five-star and four-star competitions, as well as the standing of the competition, the quality of the field and reasons for any incomplete competition. Proof of ability to produce top performances on a given day and while under pressure are also important.

The British showjumping shortlist Aachen 2026:

Scott Brash with 11-year-old mare Hello Folie

Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham

Breeder: Claire Gouin

Breeding: By Luidam, out of a mare by Diamant De Semilly

Scott Brash with 17-year-old gelding Hello Jefferson

Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham

Breeder: Bernard Mols

Breeding: By Cooper van de Heffinck, out of a mare by Irco Mena

Scott Brash with 11-year-old mare Hello Mango

Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham

Breeder: HPH Vaessen

Breeding: By Untouchable 27, out of a mare by Numero Uno

Harry Charles with 12-year-old mare Holst Freda

Owners: Eve Jobs and rider

Breeder: E Mackintosh

Breeding: By Colman, out of a mare by Casall Ask

Sienna Charles with 12-year-old stallion Chawton

Owner: Peter Charles

Breeder: Peter Charles

Breeding: By Typhoon S, out of a mare by Caletto

Tim Gredley with 14-year-old gelding Medoc de Toxandria

Owners: Rachel Gredley, William Gredley and Unex Competition Yard Ltd

Breeder: Werner Dierckx

Breeding: By Der Senaat III, out of a mare by Kelvin De Sainte Hermelle

Jodie Hall McAteer with 10-year-old mare La Gupardie

Owner: Mandy Hall

Breeder: F van de Linden

Breeding: By Van Gogh, out of a mare by Carrera VDL

Ben Maher with 14-year-old gelding Catelly

Owners: Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright

Breeder: H. Wulf-Hinrich

Breeding: By Catalido, out of a mare by Ephebe For Ever La Silla

Ben Maher with 12-year-old gelding Enjeu De Grisien

Owners: Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright

Breeder: H. Elevage de Grisien SCEA

Breeding: By Toulon, out of a mare by Andiamo

Ben Maher with 12-year-old stallion Point Break

Owners: Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright

Breeder: Nya Äppelvikens Ridskola AB

Breeding: By Action-Breaker, out of a mare by Baloubet De Rouet

Jessica Mendoza with 11-year-old gelding Summerhouse

Owners: Pernilla Amman, Georgia Kipp, Kristi Mitchem and Melissa Skowlund and rider

Breeder: C Den Boer

Breeding: By Induparts Guidam Sohn, out of a mare by VDL Indoctro

Matt Sampson with 11-year-old stallion Un Secreto Z

Owner: Maplepark Farm

Breeder: Finca Horses BV

Breeding: By Ultra Boy, out of a mare by Arko III

Joe Stockdale with 12-year-old stallion Ebanking

Owners: Barbara Hester and Laura Stockdale

Breeder: E Vriend

Breeding: By Etoulon, out of a mare by Aranebel

Jack Whitaker with 12-year-old stallion Jack JL

Owner: Candice Reilly

Breeder: JE Lammerts-Weide

Breeding: By Bessemeind’s Quasimodo Z, out of a mare by Astrello

Adrian Whiteway with 13-year-old stallion Chacco Volo

Owner: Deborah Cox

Breeder: Gestut Lewitz

Breeding: By Chacco-Blue, out of a mare by Cathago

The grooms’ names are yet to be confirmed and selection decisions depend on horses and riders’ maintaining fitness and performance.

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Great Britain’s showjumpers triumphed in a hard-fought Longines League of Nations (LLN) at the CHIO Rotterdam.

After some fluctuating fortunes, a thrilling battle ensued between the British, the USA and the Netherlands, rumbling into a nail-biting jump-off. Less than half a second separated the three representatives against the clock, but it was Harry Charles, at just his third show with new ride, the 12-year-old mare LT Holst Freda, who secured victory by just 0.07sec. The 26-year-old rider topped the podium alongside his younger sister Sienna Charles riding the family home-bred Chawton, Ben Maher (Catelly) and Jessica Mendoza with Summerhouse.

“We have very cool, very focused riders,” said chef d’equipe Di Lampard. “Their life is dedicated to their horses and completely devoted to the job. We have had unbelievable consistency on the podium in these past few weeks and this win secures qualification to the LLN final.

“I’ve every confidence in this squad that we keep rotating and we’ve got a great team here. It was a wonderful day of sport and a fantastic course that was fair to the horses as well. To finish with three teams in the jump-off. Wow.”

Siblings Harry Charles and Sienna Charles lead the charge to glory

Ben Maher acted as the British team’s pathfinder as 10 teams tackled Bart Vonck’s course, just touching the tape of the water jump in round one with another relatively new ride, 14-year-old Catelly, owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright. Jessica Mendoza’s eight faults was the discard score as Sienna Charles posted just four faults on firm favourite Chawton. Anchor rider Harry Charles then produced a vital clear with the New Zealand-bred mare LT Holst Freda, who came to the Olympic gold medal-winning Brit after competing at the recent World Cup Final with Julie Davey.

“It was down to the Charles family to get us into round two and they did it admirably,” said Di after the team finished seventh at the halfway point.

Having made the cut as one of the top eight teams to progress to the crucial second leg, with three riders per team and no drop score, Ben, Sienna and Harry shrugged off any pressure and delivered a hat-trick of clears to finish on a team score of eight. This forced the jump-off against Marilyn Little and La Contessa of USA, and Swiss rider Jason Smith (Picobello van’t Roosakker).

A masterful performance

“It was masterful how Harry rode the mare for the jump-off,” said Di Lampard. “Going first, he didn’t waste time anywhere; he threw down the gauntlet, riding beyond his years and his turn back to the vertical was pivotal. When we talked about it before the jump-off, we called it ‘a Bob rollback’,” she said; a nod to the late course-builder Bob Ellis’s trademark ingredient.

“Ben is still getting to know his horse, but he set up round two perfectly. Sienna rode amazingly, picking up where she left off last year after finishing fourth in the grand prix – this partnership loves this venue and it was a wonderful experience for her.

“It was a fantastic day and, to come back from seventh shows how close these Nations Cup competitions are. It was a big shock for France and Germany not to make the cut. The results can change completely. Everything goes with three counting riders in round two; the pressure is on.”

Harry Charles summed up: “That’s the great thing about this format – we were on the cut line after round one but everyone rallied together and we managed to get ourselves into a jump-off.

“All credit to my teammates and my incredible horse, Freda. To walk into an atmosphere like that is so impressive. I’m very proud of her and I’m so lucky to have her.”

After that penultimate qualifying leg of the LLN, the final chance for teams to qualify for the final in Barcelona rests in St Tropez- Gassin in September.

The British celebrations continued on Sunday when Ben Maher topped the grand prix riding Point Break.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2026, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Irish showjumper Jessica Burke celebrated a milestone first five-star victory at Jumping International De Bordeaux on Saturday (7 February) with one of the most exciting horses on the circuit, Good Star Du Bary.

The pair produced the sole double clear in a four-way showdown against some of the best in the business to decide the 12th leg of the Longines FEI World Cup in Western Europe.

“This horse has been close so many times and I was hoping for a top-five finish, but I didn’t think I could win, so I’m delighted,” said former school teacher Jessica.

Jessica Burke: “To have patience and wait for your day to come is very hard”

Jessica was drawn last against the clock and as her three rivals had all faulted, she knew a clear round could seal a landmark success. Absolute silence filled the venue as the pair skipped round the 1.60m track and, maintaining an upbeat tempo but with a cautionary check to the final oxer, this spectacular pair crossed the finish line clear, earning a huge round of applause. But Jessica deflected all the glory to the gorgeous grey gelding, pointing to him before she lavished him with affectionate pats.

This was a historic victory for 34-year-old Jessica as she became the first female rider to win Bordeaux’s feature class on just her sixth attempt at a World Cup competition with the 10-year-old.

“Five times he’s had one down but today we were clear,” said Jessica. “To have patience and wait for your day to come is very hard.”

“He’s the best horse I’ve ever ridden. You watch him jump 1.30m and you think that’s all he can jump but he’s so special,” added an emotional Jessica, whose family was in Bordeaux to support her while owner Liam Nicholas was also there celebrating his 60th birthday. “I only have one horse at this level at the moment but one very good one; he makes my life very easy. In the warm-up he’s totally relaxed but then he totally lights up with the crowd.

“His breeders will be so happy – I think the horse has a bigger following than I do in France,” she said of the French-bred son of Rock’n Roll Semilly, bred by Marina Storgato. “He has a massive heart. There aren’t many horses like him.”

Jessica Burke, who has recently left her base of Arion Stud in Hampshire to return to her native Ireland, has now secured her place in the World Cup Final in Fort Worth in April.

Jodie Hall McAteer finished best of the Brits in the World Cup with just a time-fault in round one riding La Gupardie. Sunday’s Audi grand prix was won by Martin Fuchs with Conner Jei, representing Switzerland.

Jessica Mendoza wins grand prix: “I knew I had to go for it”

Another showjumping Jessica, Jessica Mendoza, also found winning form on the international showjumping circuit this week, the British rider topping the CSI4* grand prix in Ocala, Florida, riding 13-year-old mare In The Air. Victory came after a nail-biting seven-way jump-off in which Jessica beat Ashley Vogel of USA riding Otis Blue as the only other clear against the clock.

“I was third to go with some fast riders behind me, so I knew I had to go for it,” said Jess. “I didn’t plan on doing that inside turn, but the person in front of me did it, and I thought, ‘Oh my God, I didn’t know I needed to do that.’ But she’s so athletic. I know I can do that turn on her, and she’d be right there with me.

“She’s always been amazing, but she’s turned into this superstar of a horse. She loves jumping, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have her.”

Richard Vogel versus Ben Maher in mighty battle

Also in USA, three of the world’s best riders topped the podium for the WEF $500,000 Fidelity Investments CSI5* grand prix at Wellington International, Florida. The winner was Germany’s Richard Vogel with rising star Gangster Montdesir, nudging out British Olympian Ben Maher with his great partner, the “sharp and high-energy” Enjeu De Grisien, who finished 0.3sec adrift. World number eight Nina Mallevaey, 26, finished third riding Dynastie De Beaufour.

“He’s a very exciting addition to my string,” said Richard of the Kannan x Cornet Obolensky stallion he started riding in September. “Right away I had a super feeling with him. He always wanted to do a good job from the very first show. I couldn’t wish for anything more than how he jumped tonight and how he was fighting for us.

“If you get such a talented horse stepping up so quickly, you must always find a balance – we want great nights like this, but we never want to overface the horse. Right now, he feels highly motivated and very game. He’s green at this level, but we have high hopes for him.”

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A “magical” horse who changed the face of showjumping and won grands prix and medals – and touched lives – across the world has been cheered into retirement with “the send-off he deserves”.

Ben Maher officially retired Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s legendary Olympic champion Explosion W in front of a sellout crowd – waving 6,000 glow sticks – at the London International Horse Show, in a celebration of his stellar career.

“There are no words to explain him,” Ben said, on a video featuring some of the Chacco-Blue gelding’s career highlights. “He touched so many lives, in so many ways. He helped me achieve my goals and dreams.”

Ben and Explosion won European team bronze and individual silver in 2019, after which Explosion was sold to Ben, Charlotte and Pamela. He and Ben were crowned individual Olympic champions at the Tokyo Games.

“When we first saw videos of him, we were super impressed,” Charlotte said. “He’s got this incredible personality; he’s an incredibly magnetising horse. You witness it, feel it, and it gives you goosebumps and makes you hold your breath – he’s a magical horse.”

Pamela added: “He’s incredible. He makes you feel like ‘I know you and love you and I’ll let you be part of my life’, he’s magical and he does things no other horse can do. You watch him and think ‘Oh my goodness’ – then he’s just a goofball, just a horse.”

Ben rode 16-year-old Explosion, plaited and turned out to perfection, wearing a Christmas garland decorated with plaques commemorating his major wins, through an elves’ guard of honour into the London arena.

“Where do I start?” Ben said. “Thank you all for coming; nine or ten thousand people. That’s very fitting as Explosion has always believed everyone is there for him, and he thinks you’ve all come for him today.

“There are so many people who make it possible for a horse like this to be as successful as he has been; too many to mention, but as Pam said, that’s the magnetising effect he had. He inspired many people, all over the world. I’ve never felt that with any other horse, and it will probably never happen again for me.”

Ben thanked his father-in-law Dan Carr, as “without him, I wouldn’t have had the connection to be able to keep him”, his wife Sophie, “for always being there for me”, and groom Cormac Kenny, who looked after Explosion W for most of his career.

“Cormac, remember when he kicked you in Tokyo?” Ben said. “I said then, ‘Remember which horse we’re tacking up, he knows what he’s here to do and we’ll never tack up or ride a horse like this again’. And he proved it, he won gold.

“Finally, Pamela and Charlotte, thank you for keeping us together. Without you, none of this would have been possible.”

Ben said Explosion W won 16 CSI5* grands prix, citing how hard it is to win one, let alone so many.

“But it’s not just the grands prix and medals he’s won, it’s the family and friendship he’s created,” he said. “He’s changed our lives and the words aren’t enough to thank you for everything you’ve done for me.

“And at the end, when the lights go down, he still gets ridden every day, he goes out, he enjoys his life – although he still enjoys this more – and we give him the home life he deserves.”

Ben rode to the centre of the arena, where there was a full box of carrots, and Explosion pulled some out, shaking them by the tops and tucking in.

“Thank you all for coming,” Ben said. “It’s a very emotional day for me and a very hard speech for me to make; I’m surprised I didn’t cry. I bought glow sticks for everyone – I never thought I’d buy 6,000 glow sticks – so let’s give him the party send-off he deserves.”

Explosion was given a standing ovation for his final laps of honour, glow sticks lighting up the arena, to Coldplay’s A Sky Full of Stars.

“Thank you, Explosion,” said commentator Steven Wilde. “A horse the like of which the sport will never see again.”

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Showjumping fans will be in for a treat this year as a “dazzling” selection of riders have been revealed among the London International Horse Show entries. This year’s show takes place at the London ExCeL from 18-22 December.

The world number two and double Olympic gold medallist Scott Brash leads the British entries. He’ll be hoping to seal an astonishingly successful year with a few more big wins in front of his home crowd.

The Scotsman will be joined in London by all three of his silver medal-winning team-mates from this year’s European Championships – Ben Maher, Donald Whitaker and Matt Sampson, as well as individual finalist Jessica Mendoza.

Matt’s fiancee Kara Chad is also in action this year representing her native Canada. Donald brings crowd-favourite Millfield Colette to London while Jess will also line up on her Europeans hero In The Air. It looks set to be an emotional week for Ben as he retires Olympic hero Explosion W at the show.

London International Horse Show entries: John Whitaker is back!

Talking of crowd favourites, 70-year-old jumping legend John Whitaker will be back in action with Equine America Unick Du Francport, Sharid, plus a new ride for this year, the eight-year-old mare Hamstramgram.

John’s son Robert Whitaker and nephew Jack Whitaker will also represent the famous showjumping family and you’ll see them riding top horses Vermento and Valmy De La Lande respectively.

Completing the British entries in the CSI5* classes are Joe Stockdale and Adrian Whiteway, who have both been on exceptional form this year.

A young Irish sensation to look out for

For Ireland, leading showjumpers Cian O’Connor and Billy Twomey will both be returning to the annual equestrian extravaganza alongside young sensation Tom Wachman, who is definitely one to watch.

A total of 16 nations are represented in this year’s CSI5* classes, the highlights of which include the Longines FEI World Cup presented by Agria and the Turkish Airlines grand prix. Other big names to watch in London include Daniel Deusser, Gregory Wathelet, Julien Epaillard, Kevin Staut, Geir Gulliksen, Max Kuhner and all-round legend Marcus Ehning.

Puissance action at the London International

For high-jump fans, a classy field of horses and riders will be attempting the big red wall and six-bar contests, including the all-conquering newly crowned young rider European champion Rachel Proudley, Gemma Stevens and Joe Trunkfield.

“We can’t wait to welcome these fantastic riders to battle it out in London,” said London International Horse Show chairman Simon Brooks-Ward. “The line-up is as dazzling as ever, with a great breadth of rider talent and depth of horsepower, and promises a truly spectacular edition of the show.”

H&H will be previewing this year’s Christmas extravaganza in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine (in the shops on Thursday 11 December) before bringing you all the action, exclusive interviews and insight from the London International Horse Show both online and Horse & Hound magazine.

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The 2021 Olympic showjumping champion Explosion W is to officially retire in front of a home crowd at the London International Horse Show.

The superstar 16-year-old gelding, who with Ben Maher won individual gold in Tokyo and European individual silver and team bronze in Rotterdam in 2019, will bow out on the Sunday evening of the show (21 December), in what show organisers said would be “an emotional farewell for the hugely popular horse”.

“The chestnut gelding, now 16, is one of the most successful and beloved showjumping horses in the world,” said a spokesperson for organisers HPower. “Together with Maher, Explosion W captured the hearts of fans around the world with his brilliance, power and remarkable consistency at the very highest level of competition. Their crowning moment came at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where they claimed individual gold.”

Chacco-Blue gelding Explosion was bred by small-time Dutch breeder Willy Wijnen, who has previously said he knew early on he had a “diamond in the rough”. He was spotted by a friend of Ben’s and bought for him to ride by Poden Farms. His early education came through Ben’s then stable riders, including Emily Mason and Carly Anthony, Ben took the reins in 2018 and they burst into five-star showjumping in a blaze of success. he was

After he won his European medals in 2019, Explosion was sold to Ben, Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright.

They won across the world, including the Madrid and Windsor grands prix, the Super Grand Prix in Prague and the International Jumping Riders Club top 10 final.

“Explosion has been the horse of a lifetime,” said Ben. “I always knew he had something special – an incredible will to win and a presence that captured everyone’s attention.

“We have shared unforgettable moments together, and it feels right to celebrate his retirement in front of a home crowd at London International Horse Show.”

Show chairman Simon Brooks-Ward said Explosion is one of the greatest showjumpers in the world.

“His achievements with Ben have been a privilege for us all to witness on a global stage,” he said. “We are honoured that Ben, Charlotte and Pamela have chosen London International Horse Show as the place to celebrate this remarkable horse’s career. It promises to be an emotional and historic occasion for everyone who loves the sport.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

From an inauspicious riding school start to top-level jumping, the legendary Strawberry Mojo aided several riders to pony stardom, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympic individual gold medallist Ben Maher.

“My best memory was winning in Italy,” says Ben. “It was a big class [Verona grand prix] and they paid lira back then and it seemed like we’d won millions – there were lots of zeros at the end.

“She was mareish with lots of blood and energy, had the wow factor of being coloured which made her stand out, but most of all she was a real winner.”

Thirty-year-old memories of her “pony of a lifetime” bring Nicky Blythe (née Bingham) to tears.

“We won our first Paul Fabrications winter JA and Christy Beaufort qualifiers, but our best win was the HOYS [Horse of the Year Show] Christy final – I’d dreamt of that since I was little,” says Nicky.

Nicky was asked to ride the feisty mare by the Hyslop family, who moved from Cheshire to Gloucestershire, having reportedly bought Mojo from a riding school. Daughter Susie started her British Showjumping career.

“They’d attempted to sell her, but she bucked everyone off so they asked me to compete and sell her,” says Nicky. “We were eliminated at our first show over 2ft 6in, but I persevered and we clicked.”

Mojo had a mind of her own.

“It took three of us to put travel boots on – one to hold her, another to pick one leg up and the other to put the boot on!”

A party trick was to break into a trot mid-course.

“She once decided to trot into a combination. It was up to my eyes at 5ft, I gritted my teeth but she had so much ability and could jump from a standstill.”

Nicky’s grandmother, Nesta Watkins, bought her.

“Mum and Dad couldn’t afford her, so Nan stepped in,” Nicky explains. “We owned her from then on, but leased her out – she was always coming home.”

Gemma McKay (née Dennis) rode Mojo in 1993.

“We won nationwide and there was no better feeling than winning at Hickstead, but my biggest achievement was team gold and individual silver at the European Championships – she didn’t have a fence down all show,” says Gemma. “We were top points winners in the winter JA that year, but didn’t go to the final as it clashed with the Europeans.”

The most entertaining competition was HOYS ponies versus horses.

“The top 10 ponies went up against the leading showjumper of the year top 10 and it was the most fun.”

The pony Strawberry Mojo: “A strong-minded woman”

It wasn’t all plain sailing.

“I felt privileged to be offered the ride, but nervous as she wasn’t easy. Nicky had done a fabulous job and I didn’t want the hassle,” admits Gemma, who was overruled by her dad, Ray. “She had to love you, then she’d try her utmost.

“She was different on the ground. You couldn’t lead her from the field, she came in on her hindlegs, yet to clip, she’d go to sleep. We had a love/hate relationship. She wasn’t nasty, just a very strong-minded woman.”

Mojo established who was boss.

“At our first show, she stopped dead by Towerlands door rearing and bucking until I came off,” Gemma remembers. “I got back on, said, ‘Come on’, and she walked into the ring. We respected each other after that.”

Gemma can pinpoint what made the mare so brilliant: “Back then, it wasn’t about bloodlines, it was her attitude, she knew she was good. She was a fighter, wanted to win and liked a challenge. She was so in tune with her rider, you only had to think ‘turn’ and she’d done it. She inspired my love of mares.”

Nicky agrees: “It was her sheer will to win and she loved the lap of honour, she loved to win.”

Nicola Western was another rider bestowed with Nesta’s approval. Her favourite memory is winning the 1994 European team gold.

“We were drawn last and the requirement was fast and clear – no pressure!” says Nicola. “Mojo’s speciality – careful, brave, super-quick and capable of ridiculously tight turns others wouldn’t dream of. When she anticipated a turn mid-air, she was so sharp I nearly exited out the side door,” said Nicola.

“Nesta was particular. When we tried Mojo, it felt like a vetting,” she remembers. “My other ponies were going well and the wonderful Ferrybound won team gold in 1993. I guess that helped, but most of all ‘Nanny Mojo’ had to like you and know it was a good home – and who could blame her?

“Getting Mojo was a huge thing back then – we kept it quiet in case it didn’t happen and jaws dropped as she came off the lorry at our first show.”

Ben holds a similar memory: “Nesta was very scrupulous, careful and would never sell her; we were fortunate she allowed us to lease her. I think knowing Gemma helped.”

A show-off who could do almost anything

The pony’s success was credited to early groundwork.

“Susie did lots of dressage and gymnastic gridwork with her, it was a great foundation, she was so balanced,” says Nicky, who was galvanised to win by circumstances. “We weren’t well-off and Mum used to say, ‘If you don’t win, we can’t afford to go to the next show,’ so I was pressured but it made me more determined and that suited Mojo.”

Gemma had a set routine: “I only ever hacked her at home – we had amazing bridleways – and she went in a plain snaffle, no boots. In the ring, I reined her back and she’d do a little half rear, then you knew she was set to go.

“She was talented from an early age, ultra-careful, ultra-quick and brave. To me, she was the best and you forgave her foibles.”

Nicola remembers the pony as a show-off who could do almost anything: “She was great at flying changes – on a straight line she could change every two strides. She was clever, sensitive and responsive but her party trick was reining back – put a little leg on and she’d half rear, just showing off.

“Jumping her for the first time felt like being catapulted into the air. I had to modify my position, not sitting up too quickly after a fence so I wasn’t flicked forward on landing.

“Travelling from Scotland all over the UK and Europe meant a gruelling schedule for ponies – during the week was flatwork and hacking only and they had field time every day.”

Ben recalls her party trick, too: “She’d always rear before the bell – someone had obviously taught her, but it was just harmless fun,” he says.

Mojo had star quality but like all stars, she was a diva.

“At our first winter JA, she was so naughty in the warm-up I was in tears,” says Nicky. “Grit and determination won out, she respected that and jumped like a pro. But she loved to go to our local Rockhampton and buck her way around a small 3ft track. It was after winning our first winter JA and Christy qualifier that we realised she was destined for greatness.”

Kay Sybenga (née Miller) was another rider to win countless classes on the mare.

“Mojo was a unique talent with the most modest of characters,” she recalls. “She didn’t look or behave the best; she rocked up to each show in her old red travel boots and her mane was often big and shaggy. And she loved Mars bars and toast!

“There was no strategy – I asked, Mojo delivered. She sometimes dipped her shoulder unexpectedly and threw me into a water jump, but mostly she was out of this world. Miss your stride, don’t worry, she sorted it; put her on the exact stride and boy what a feeling, she used to almost throw me out of the saddle!

“My mum and dad always said how grateful they were to be able to lease a pony like Mojo for my final pony years – it wasn’t about the wins, but the experience. My jumping days made for the most wonderful childhood and the opportunity to ride a superstar that was just ‘The Best’!”

Ben Maher: “She was an incredible, special pony”

Injury ended Mojo’s career and she returned home to Nicky.

“She damaged her check ligament,” Nicky says. “We ended up shortening both ligaments to level her up. A few years after her op, we jumped unaffiliated and 1m to 1.10m in British Showjumping horse classes. She coped and enjoyed it.”

Ben recalls: “I only got to jump a handful of classes with her, as she was injured for quite a time. I remember walking and trotting her before and after school to get her fit again in the hope her injuries would hold up. I never got the full Mojo, but I saw glimpses of her – she was definitely an incredible, special pony.”

Mojo lived until she was in her 20s, but colic problems brought about an early end.

“She had a blockage and couldn’t eat or drink,” Nicky says. “The vet tried so hard and she had to be tubed to get water into her. Sadly, we had to make the decision to put her to sleep. She was my pony of a lifetime, I’ll never forget her. I owed her so much and I’m glad she was able to enjoy a happy retirement.”

What you might not know about Strawberry Mojo

A special result from an accidental mating

“Her breeders sent us a photo of her as a foal and showed her in hand,” says Nicky Blythe. “Her mum was a coloured cob, nothing special and Mojo was an accident. We think her sire was part-bred Arab as she had a slightly dished face and when clipped, her legs were fine.”

Three decades ago, coloured jumping ponies were rare.

“Coloureds weren’t a ‘thing’ then. She was called the gypsy pony and we were ‘scruffbags’ jumping JA classes with her sporting a half clip,” laughs Nicky.

What connections say…

• “The first night, she kicked the window out of the stable and we wondered what on earth we’d done. She was trouble loading but patience paid off, and she wouldn’t go anywhere near water. We took her to a cross-country course and my husband Andrew put on wellies and led her through, returned to Wales and West, borrowed the water jump and she jumped it” – Nicky Blythe’s mum, Jenny.
• Nicola Western’s mum, Pauline: “I’d heard someone built a corral-type system for Mojo and didn’t believe it – until the first week [we had her]. Nicola said she’d been chased out of the field. I thought she was exaggerating until I saw Mojo on her hindlegs plunging towards me then spinning and lashing out. I got out of there PDQ!“I returned wearing a riding hat for a wee battle, but soon realised she was trying to intimidate and get her own way. She was so smart and realised our ponies have plenty of relaxation and grazing time and settled without any fuss. She was actually a big softie.”
• The best memory was Nicky’s wedding. “Nicky rode Mojo and Andrew rode her horse Strawberry Flojo to church. The village came out clapping and waving, it was amazing” – Nicky Blythe’s mum, Jenny.

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“I’ve been on many teams over the years but the strength and attitude that these guys have together is fantastic,” credited Ben Maher after he and team-mates Harry Charles, Donald Whitaker and hero of the hour once again, Scott Brash, lifted the trophy for the Longines League of Nations Final in Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday (5 October).

British showjumpers were riding the crest of a colossal wave leading up to the final curtain falling in Barcelona, notching up a remarkable hat-trick of team successes, which started with a long-awaited victory in the BMO Nations Cup at Spruce Meadows, continued to the final LLN qualifier in St Tropez last month, before the celebrations rang out once again in Spain for the British dream team.

“Today means the world,” said chef d’equipe Di Lampard. “The riders were so consistent at the beginning of the year and since Rotterdam it’s been go, go, go – three wins on the trot is just amazing. They make my job very easy.”

Longines League of Nations Final Barcelona: a first jump-off

The unique format for the LLN always makes for enthralling viewing but this final included the only missing ingredient so far – the series’ first jump-off to decide top honours. Having completed on equal team scores of 16 penalties, the scene was set for Ireland and Great Britain to battle it out in a thrilling showdown against the clock.

Billy Twomey, just eight months into his partnership with the athletic Jumping Jack Van De Kalevallei (Kannan x Chin Chin) set off first for Team Ireland. After performing some beautifully executed turns over another masterful Santiago Varela course, Billy saw a long stride to the final fence and pressed the accelerator. There was a collective gasp as the 10-year-old stallion gave it a hefty rattle, but luck was with the Irish side and they crossed the finish clear in 38.42sec.

In contrast to this relatively new combination, Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson have long reigned as one of the most successful partnerships in the world. The Scotsman had had the opportunity to seal victory for Great Britain with a clear in round two, but the world number five, fresh from victory in the world’s richest showjumping competition at Spruce Meadows last month, was left shaking his head in dismay after faulting at the middle element of the triple combination.

But there was no doubting this magnificent pair against the clock as Scott executed a perfectly judged round. Accelerating through the midway section allowed him the timely luxury of a perfect set-up to the tricky final fence, which the ever-obliging Jefferson soared over effortlessly, flying home with a quarter of a second to spare on the clock.

Great Britain, who didn’t qualify for last year’s inaugural final, were the newly crowned champions of the LLN Final 2025.

“I thought Billy did a fantastic job and really stuck it to us,” reflected Scott, surprisingly competing at his first LLN. “Thankfully I’m sitting on a quick horse and we managed to leave the jumps up. Hello Jefferson stayed calm – horses don’t really know what’s at stake so I just tried to stay focused and follow the great advice from my team.

“The team’s had an amazing year and it’s fantastic to finish on this note, so all credit to the guys, they’ve been amazing.”

Di added of her “icing on the cake” victory in the LLN Final Barcelona: “We’re well practised at having three in the final round who all count. It’s an amazing competition and I know organisers wanted a jump-off so it was great to have one.”

Di Lampard: “I have the best riders in the world”

Speaking of the country’s resurgence in recent years, Di continued: “There are some fantastic riders in the world, but I have three of the best and others coming up to join them. We had a couple of years where we were rebuilding. It happens in every rider’s career. Thankfully we have come back very strong.”

Pathfinder Ben jumped for four faults in round one on Enjeu De Grisien before delivering a crucial clear in round two.

“Enjeu stepped up amazingly – we had a small mistake in the first round but put that right,” he said. “With someone like Scott going last, it’s definitely easier.”

Harry Charles was also stepping back up to top level Nations Cups with 12-year-old Sherlock, owned by his father Peter Charles and Stall Zet.

“To walk back into a team that’s winning so much is very nice!” he said.

Donald Whitaker and Millfield Colette, who have contributed so much to Britain’s success and medal tally this year, were the drop score in round one with eight faults, sitting out round two.

“She’s been fantastic all year so I can’t blame her for not being totally on it today,” he reflected.

Two riders shared the double clear bonus – Bertram Allen of runners-up Ireland riding Qonquest De Rigo and Nicola Philippaerts of fourth-placed Belgium on Katanga VH Dingeshof.

The best athlete of the season was named as Piergiorgio Bucci representing LLN debutants Italy, with his groom Yulia Khokhryakova and horse Hantano also awarded.

Brash and Hello Folie are simply superb again

British celebrations began on Friday night when Scott Brash landed the grand prix of Barcelona riding superstar mare Hello Folie owned, like LLN hero Hello Jefferson, by Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham and looked after by groom David Honnet.

With 11 combinations coming forward for the jump-off, a high-octane thriller ensued but Scott and the 10-year-old Luidam mare cannoned round the magnificent Olympic arena at heart-stopping speed to top the leader board and earn the 99,000 euro top prize.

Scott had endured a barren period of five-star grands prix coming into 2025 but has gone on to land six already this year with Folie, Jefferson and Hello Chadora Lady.

“Folie jumped incredibly on Friday – she loves the job and feels like she’s getting more comfortable at that height now,” said Scott. “This was special.”

You can read the full report from the Longines League of Nations Final in Barcelona in this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, in the shops Thursday 9 October.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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All roads lead to Barcelona, Spain, this week (2-5 October) for the Longines League of Nations (LLN) final where Great Britain’s showjumpers are among the nine countries who have qualified for Sunday’s two-round decider.

So who will be lining up for this year’s event?

The LLN Final in Barcelona: runners and riders

Great Britain’s chef d’equipe Di Lampard has selected a star-studded dream team for Sunday’s LLN Final in Barcelona. They arrive at the Real Club de Polo de Barcelona off the back of a glorious victory in the final leg of the LLN qualifiers in St Tropez-Gassin, as well as a historic victory in the BMO Nations Cup at Spruce Meadows.

“We’ve had a really good season, but we’ve got better and better,” says Di.

Among the five riders representing Great Britain in Barclona this year are the trio of gold medallists from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games – Scott Brash, Harry Charles and Ben Maher.

They will be joined by Donald Whitaker, who played a key role in helping Great Britain win team silver at the European Championships in La Coruna, Spain this summer. The final squad member is relative five-star team newcomer Adrian Whiteway, who was part of the polished winning team in St Tropez-Gassin recently on his LLN debut.

Horse-wise, Donald lines up with his great partner Millfield Colette, the 12-year-old mare he jointly owns with Reitsportanlage Dagobertshausen and with whom he finished 10th individually at the European Showjumping Championships and were celebrated last year as the King George V Gold Cup heroes.

Adrian brings Deborah Cox’s hugely consistent 12-year-old stallion Chacco Volo. While Adrian joked after helping the British team secure victory at the LLN in St Tropez that “Time-faults are our forte, if you like – we’re pretty good at getting them!”, they are equally proficient at clear rounds and that’s what counts in these top tier team competitions.

A full house of Olympic gold medallists

Fresh from success in the world’s richest showjumping competition at Spruce Meadows, reigning Olympic team gold medallist Scott Brash has kept his options open with his choice of horses. He is opting to bring both 16-year-old Hello Jefferson and breakthrough star Hello Folie, both of whom are owned by Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham.

Harry Charles returns to the team fold with his father Peter’s and Stall Zet’s Sherlock, The 12-year-old was last seen jumping double clear for a third place finish in the CSI5* Rolex grand prix at the Stephex Masters at the end of August.

Completing the quintet of British riders is world number two Ben Maher, who also has a choice of two horses in Barcelona, with Enjeu De Grisien or Point Break.

Who are Britain’s rivals?

The other teams to have qualified for Sunday’s LLN Final in Barcelona from the four global legs in Abu Dhabi, Ocala, Rotterdam and St Tropez are Team USA, hosts Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, Germany, France and the newly crowned European champions Belgium. Germany returns to the Spanish city as title-holders, having lifted the inaugural trophy in dramatic style in 2024.

Ireland’s chef d’equipe Michael Blake has selected Neal Fearon, Billy Twomey, Bertram Allen, Mikey Pender and Sean Monaghan for the Spanish event this week.

Among the other international showjumping superstars in action will be European champion Richard Vogel and the Olympic champion Christian Kukuk.

The four-day CSIO Barcelona kicks off on Thursday 2 October, with the 1.60m grand prix taking place on Friday evening (3 October). Horse & Hound will be on hand to bring you all the latest news with the full report appearing in the 9 October issue of the magazine.

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For the first time in nearly 30 years, Great Britain’s showjumpers have triumphed in the BMO Nations Cup at the Spruce Meadows Masters, Canada.

The British quartet of Matt Sampson (Ebolensky), Ben Maher (Enjeu De Grisien), Joe Stockdale riding Ebanking and Donald Whitaker with Millfield Colette were the stand-out performers throughout the two-round competition, jumping three double clears between them.

They thrilled the crowds at this, the venue’s 50th anniversary, topping the leader board on a zero score. Great Britain’s victorious team were joined on the podium by runners-up Germany and third-placed USA, who both finished on a team score of four but were separated by cumulative time.

Great Britain’s Nations Cup showjumping victory after a 30-year hiatus

Great Britain last won the BMO Nations Cup in 1996 when the “Fab Four” of Nick Skelton (Showtime), Geoff Billington (It’s Otto), Michael Whitaker (Two Step) and John Whitaker (Welham) lifted the coveted trophy at the Calgary venue. Since its inauguration in 1977, Great Britain has now triumphed 11 times in the world famous BMO Nations Cup.

This time around, chef d’equipe Di Lampard led the next generation to victory with triple Olympic gold medallist Ben, last night’s record-breaking six bar winner Joe and European silver medal-winning rider Donald all jumping double clears. The contest was taken right to the wire, however, and victory was only sealed as the final rider of the competition, Donald Whitaker with Millfield Colette, brushed off immense pressure to produce yet another foot perfect performance and claim the €150,008 (£130,000) first prize, as well as the towering BMO silverware.

“The spirit of this team is second to none, it’s come together so well this year,” said Di Lampard. “Three members of this team [Donald, Ben and Matt] are the European silver medalists and we’ve been building, building… But to have the win here at Spruce Meadows – I’m so proud of them all.”

There was further British success on the penultimate day of the Spruce Meadows Masters, when Charlie Jones and Capitale 6 won the CSI2* grand prix. The action concludes with Sunday’s CPKC International grand prix presented by Rolex where showjumpers will be competing for the richest prize the sport has ever seen.

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It’s a question we often ask, who is the best showjumping horse in the world right now? With different rankings, points lists and data to draw on, opinion is often divided. But according to the data analysts at EquiRatings, who produce a rolling ranking list of the world’s best showjumping horses in the world, it’s a close match between Ben Maher’s Point Break and Henrik von Eckermann’s King Edward this year.

Neither horse contested this year’s European showjumping championships and 15-year-old King Edward hasn’t been seen since the CSI5* grand prix at Wellington, Florida, in March, but he holds strong at the top of EquiRating’s list of top ranked horses with an Elo rating of 800.

The Elo rating system is a metric used to evaluate horse quality and consistency and is built on extensive performance data covering international showjumping competitions. The algorithm measures competition field strength, course difficulty and conditions, performance consistency and “predictive capability for future results”.

Point Break: on the ascent as one of the best showjumping horses in the world right now

This year, rising star of the sport, 11-year-old Point Break, entered the rankings for the top 10 highest-rated horses since 2010 with an Elo of 790. He rose to sixth in the standings behind all-time greatest showjumping horse King Edward, as well as sitting second to King Edward in the current rankings.

The Pamela Wright and Charlotte Rossetter-owned stallion has had a busy year, most recently finishing runner-up in the CSI5* grand prix at the London leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour in August, with previous wins in Aachen and Wellington, Florida.

Ben took the reins on Point Break (Action-Breaker x Balou Du Rouet), who was bred in Sweden by Nya Appelvikens Ridskola and produced in his early days by Anders Lagergreen, four years ago.

He says of “Bodhi”– named after Patrick Swayze’s character in the 1991 film Point Break – “That bond with your horse is very important. We’ve spent a lot of time, done a lot of travel, a lot of fitness work, competition ring time – it takes a lot to get these horses to this kind of level,” says Ben.

“If I try to push him out of his rhythm, he doesn’t like it at the moment but I think it will come a bit later. Luckily, he’s like a rubber ball and he can turn, so I try to play to his strengths.”

King Edward continues to reign as an all-time great

While Point Break is in the ascent, King Edward has reigned as one of the greatest showjumping horses in the world for several years, accumulating a wealth of titles, medals and other honours.

“Edward has the capability from I don’t know where, it’s beyond something else!” says Henrik. “He can jump a big fence without any effort. No other horse I’ve ever sat on has given me that feeling.

“He has the whole package, he’s so consistent, we know him very well now and what we have to think about with him; for example he’s a very sensitive horse so he needs to be very relaxed, when he’s tense then his jump gets a bit tense. So that’s what you need to focus on. Otherwise just keep him happy and healthy.”

Coming in third behind King Edward and Point Break in the current rankings of the best showjumping horses in the world right now is Beauville Z NOP, ridden by Maikel van der Vleuten, while the newly crowned European showjumping champion United Touch S (Richard Vogel) has gained enough Elo points to sit in fourth.

Continuing the top 10, we have European bronze medallist Ermitage Kalone (Gilles Thomas) in fifth, followed by Bond Jamesbond De La Hay (Gregory Wathelet), recent Valkenswaard grand prix winner Monaco (Harrie Smolders), Dynamix De Belheme (Steve Guerdat), Donatello D’Auge (Julien Epaillard) and Simon Delestre’s great partner Cayman Jolly Jumper is in 10th.

Ben Maher’s European team silver medal-winning partner Dallas Vegas Batilly is in 12th, while his Exit Remo sits in 25th. The only other British horse in the top 30 is Donald Whitaker’s Millfield Colette, a particular rising star of the past 12 months.

Ben’s Olympic gold medal-winning partner Explosion W shares second position with Daniel Deusser’s Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z in the rankings of the top showjumping horses in the world since 2010.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Reigning Olympic champions Christian Kukuk and Checker 47 came to London on “firey” form and celebrated the anniversary of their Paris triumph with a victory in the €165,000 Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix on Sunday 10 August.

Hopes of a seventh British win were soaring when Ben Maher laid down a poetically fluid round on Point Break, that axed an intimidating 6sec from the leading clear, from Belgian’s Niels Bruynseels (Chacco’s Lando OL).

But while Ben’s round was like mercury poured down a maze, Christian’s scythed the lines with mathematical precision, and the great 15-year-old grey used his awesome scope to come home with 0.38sec in hand.

“Now I see the playback [see video below], it was probably a once-in-a-lifetime jump off,” Christian said. “I turned to the third last vertical and the moment I decided to do it, I told myself for a second ‘you can’t’. I was on so much of an angle, the way he jumped it — I think of all the horses in the world, only Checker could deal with this situation. And it’s where I won the jump off no question.

“He’s naturally a quick horse but the round from Ben was so fast, I knew it had to be the round of a lifetime today to beat him.”

Christian Kukuk:“Emotionally, it was a rough few weeks”

The win came a week after Christian announced a new chapter in his career, setting up on his own after 13 years based with Ludger Beerbaum.

“Emotionally, it was a rough few weeks,” he said.

Ben had his own gremlins to wrestle with, having taken some risk strategies that didn’t come to fruition with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s 11-year-old, including in this year’s Rolex grand prix at Royal Windsor.

“I knew I’d messed up a couple of jump-offs on him trying to do things that perhaps weren’t playing to my strengths, so I knew I had to take a lot of risks today but it was calculated risk,” he said.

“If I try to push him out of his rhythm he doesn’t like it at the moment but I think it will come a bit later. Luckily he’s like a rubber ball, and he can turn, so I try to play to his strengths.”

His round was near perfection — and could have been unbeatable, had it not been for a heavy slip after the second fence.

“I don’t say it very often, but as a rider I don’t think I could have done anything differently,” he said. “When I turned back, I saw one less stride to the double but as I went to step away he lost his footing behind, which was quite significant, having watched the replay.

“I had to alter the line and jog out to the right hand side, which was time consuming but I don’t think it was jumpable on what I was committed to before the slip.”

Last year’s victors in the Longines Global Champions Tour of London, Harry Charles and Sherlock were the only other Brits to join Ben in the jump-off, and they tipped the penultimate oxer, crossing the line more than 4sec behind the winning pace for ninth.

You can read the full report from the Longines Global Champions Tour of London in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine, in the shops Thursday 14 August.

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One fence separates the top seven combinations in the individual final at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships – as Scott Brash and Hello Folie remain in the silver medal position at this stage, and four Brits are through to the final showdown.

The top 25 combinations came forward to contest the first round of this afternoon’s (20 July) astonishingly close competition. Course-designer Santiago Varela upped the ante with certain lines offering striding options, and a tight time allowed of 76 seconds in this first round.

Four of the five Brits had made it through to today’s final; Donald Whitaker and Millfield Colette in 18th, Jessica Mendoza and In The Air 16th, Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly eighth and Scott Brash and Hello Folie second.

Going into the first round, only two poles separated the top 25 and only one pole the top 13. This meant to make it through to the second round – when only 12 come back – a clear was a must. All four Brits delivered and have sealed their places in the second round, where a pole now separates the top seven.

Donald Whitaker lies in 11th, Jessica ninth, Ben in fourth and Scott remains in the silver medal position.

“Colette jumped her heart out once more, she’s absolutely fantastic,” said Donald, after his first round.

“The course walked a bit more difficult than it looks like it’s riding; there were quite a lot of stride options from the first line to the last. It was quite big as well.”

Jessica Mendoza was thrilled with In The Air.

“I think she was a little tired today, but she stuck her teeth into it,” she said.

“It’s a different course from the other day, there’s a lot of big gaps between the fences so I think he’s testing us a bit more with the time allowed and our control.”

Ben and Dallas Vegas Batilly looked on their usual brilliant form, as did Scott and Hello Folie. Scott had his work cut out as Folie looked keen to get on with the job, rattling the oxer at fence 5 and the first part of the combination at fence seven, but Scott used his expertise to guide them home clear.

There was disappointment for reigning champion Steve Guerdat who was in the bronze medal position with Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte, but an agonising knock of the final fence dropped them down to 12th going into the second round.

European Showjumping Championships individual final second round

The top 12 combinations now come back to contest a second round over a different course. Germany’s Richard Vogel and United Touch S remain in the gold medal spot, and Belgium’s Gilles Thomas and Ermitage Kalone in third, behind Scott and Hello Folie.

• To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

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Great Britain has won a sensational silver medal at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships in Spain on Friday 18 July.

“We’re delighted,” said British anchor rider Scott Brash. “We were very close – just very unlucky really. But it’s been a great team, with great team spirit this week.“

High pressure at European Showjumping Championships

The quartet of Ben Maher (Dallas Vegas Batilly), Matt Sampson (Medoc De Toxandria), Donald Whitaker (Millfield Colette) and Scott Brash (Hello Folie) came into the team final in the gold medal position, but with a narrow lead over Begium and Germany for the final showdown.

Pathfinder Ben Maher set the ball rolling with a vital clear round with the 12-year-old Tilly, who is owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright and looked after by groom Gwen Bellamy.

But when faults came in for first Matt Sampson, who battled on courageously after an unexpected elimination with Medoc the previous day, and then Millfield Colette picked up her first faults of the contest with Donald, the squad slipped behind a dominant Belgium in the medal standings.

The Belgian squad claimed the gold with a clear from their final rider Gilles Thomas riding Ermitage Kalone.

But the remaining podium places were still to be decided. It all rested with Scott Brash, who was once again the last athlete to enter the ring on day three of these European Showjumping Championships and Great Britain’s fate lay in his hands.

Displaying every ounce of trademark cool that has helped him win two Olympic golds and four further championship medals – as well as jumping clear the previous day with only one rein – the resilient Scotsman earned silver for Great Britain with a superb clear on Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham’s chestnut mare Hello Folie, a 10-year-old mare jumping at her first championship.

“She’s feisty and she wants to get on with the job,” said Scott. “So she can make it challenging at times. But she tries very hard when she gets there.

“Ben has done incredible job this week – sometimes people just expect it from it from him, because he’s been so consistent, so good over the years. But I thought he really rode Dallas fantastic today and yesterday.

“Matt had the hiccup yesterday and that didn’t really help for today, but he regrouped well and still put a score on the board. So he’s a great team man to have around. His time will come but it’s great he’s got a medal. He deserves it. He works hard, and he’s going to be there for the future. Donald had a great championship too.”

A welcome silver medal for brilliant British team

Great Britain finished on 7.96, barely two penalties behind winners Belgium (5.61), with Germany taking the bronze medal (8.19).

Reigning Olympic gold medallists Great Britain last claimed a team medal at the European Showjumping Championships in 2019, when Ben and Scott were on the team that won bronze, and before that in 2013 they celebrated team gold in Herning. But this marks a first championship medal for both Donald Whitaker and Matt Sampson.

• To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

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Great Britain’s team pathfinder Ben Maher (Dallas Vegas Batilly) posted a vital clear in the team final at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships on Friday (18 July).

Santiago Varela had upped the technicality for this team medal decider and clears have been much harder to come by than in previous rounds. But Ben and the 12-year-old Cap Kennedy mare “Tilly”, owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright, brushed off the pressure to produce their second clear round of the championships.

“These type of competitions are always easier with an experienced horse and when you have a stronger relationship,” said Ben. “As I said yesterday, it doesn’t matter what they put out there – it doesn’t mean we’re going to be clear, but it means that I’ve probably experienced it one way or another with her, which is always a nice feeling going into these kind of events and fortunately I was able to bring it home.”

European Showjumping Championships: “I’m very proud”

Ben says Tilly, who is looked after by groom Gwen Bellamy, is the “most relaxed, laidback horse, who would happily be in the field all day long”.

“I could put my children on her,” said Ben. “But when she comes out [to jump], she’s quite feisty and opinionated – she wants to do it all on her own. So it’s a bit of a box of chocolates with her sometimes. That’s why the first day caught me by surprise – she didn’t feel 100%, not unwell, but she was very down in herself. But the last two days have felt much more like her.

“The line of the triple bar to the combination was quite hard for her. So I’m so happy with her – she’s improved with each round and from fence one today I knew she was with me. She really listened to me, so I’m very proud of her. It’s always good to get a good start for the team.”

Jessica Mendoza, who is competing for Great Britain at the European Showjumping Championships as an individual with In The Air, posted her second clear round of the competition earlier in the afternoon and waits to find out if she’s qualified for Sunday’s individual medal decider.

Matt Sampson, who suffered an unfortunate elimination in Thursday’s round, had a refusal once again at the middle element of the combination, but managed to get home with 14 penalties.

“We had a hiccup, but coming from yesterday I had the feeling he really wanted to jump it, and that’s why I came back a second time,” said Matt. “He’s proved what an amazing horse he is.”

• To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

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Great Britain remains in the lead after day two at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships following a foot-perfect clear from Donald Whitaker and Millfield Colette and a fabulous – but heart-in-the-mouth – clear from Scott Brash and Hello Folie.

Donald and Colette were third to jump for Britain and the pair followed yesterday’s stunning performance (16 July) with another clear round. The pair now lie in second individually.

“I’m a bit relieved,” said Donald, after his round. “She was amazing as always, she tried her absolute best so I’m delighted. She’s in her happy place in there.”

The pressure was on Donald and Colette after Matt Sampson and Medoc de Toxandria were eliminated following issues at the treble combination. As there are four riders on a team, Matt’s round could be Great Britain’s drop score, but the three other scores had to count. And with Germany and Belgium so close behind Britain in the team rankings, anything but a clear would have dropped the British team down the order.

“I definitely needed to have some sort of a good round to keep ourselves in it. And thankfully, we did,” said Donald.

“I didn’t see Matt’s round as I was warming up, but he was very unlucky. Knowing Matt he will bounce back stronger than ever.”

Scott Brash at European Showjumping Championships: “I felt like an amateur”

The pressure continued on Scott Brash and Hello Folie when Germany posted their fourth clear of the team competition, thanks to Richard Vogel and United Touch S, who are now in the individual gold medal position. Scott also had to jump clear to keep Britain in the lead.

Although Scott is known for keeping his cool, no one expected him to lose his reins ahead of the combination, drawing a gasp from the crowd. Demonstrating their unbelievable partnership and faith in each other, Scott and Folie held it together to clear all three elements – and they came home with no penalties to add.

“I don’t know why, but I managed to lose my rein after the green oxer. I felt like an amateur in there today, but I managed just to grab it back at the right moment and asked Folie to jump the triple from where I was,” said Scott. “What an amazing attitude and fight and spirit she showed to be able to jump through that triple clear. I’m super proud of her.”

Scott said the 10-year-old mare was “incredible” in the ring.

“She felt really good. She does pull me a little bit, she’s just eager to please and get on with the job,” he said.

“I don’t really know what happened and I need to watch it back, whether she snatched and I just lost the rein. Then she didn’t really know she was going for the triple. I managed to grab the rein, but I was very deep coming in and just asked her to jump, and she responded so well.

“What was nice was that line obviously didn’t feel great, but she settled down and jumped the rest very good. So I think that shows how confident she is with me and we have a great partnership. Hopefully I will put her in a better place tomorrow.”

Scott acknowledged that Folie is green at this level – the Europeans is her first championship – but said she is feeling good ahead of the team final tomorrow (18 July). The pair are in fourth place individually; the individual medals will be decided on Sunday.

“Obviously it gets tougher each day, and they’re bigger each day. Today she warmed up fantastic, she started off really good and finished off really well, so there’s a lot of positives to take,” he said.

“She does give a lot of effort, so hopefully we still have enough energy in the tank for tomorrow, but she feels good just now. I’m very happy.”

Great Britain’s hopes are high for tomorrow.

“The team guys have been fantastic; Ben always delivers for us, through his whole career. Going first, he always puts us in a good place,” said Scott.

“It was unfortunate for Matt, I think it was just one of those things, but he’ll bounce back tomorrow. We’ll support him all we can, and I’m sure he’ll put in a result tomorrow for us. Then Don was amazing, clear when we really needed him, and Folie was just fantastic.

“It’s great team spirit. We’re all there for one another, and we’ll be fighting tomorrow, but there’s a lot still to do.”

European Showjumping Championships team standings

Great Britain holds the overnight lead on 3.96 penalties. Germany is second on 4.19, and Belgium third on 4.61. Ireland has climbed up to fourth on 8.39. The team final gets under way at 3.15pm UK time (4.15pm local time) tomorrow (Friday 18 July).

• To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

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Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly returned to top form in today’s (17 July) team competition at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships – as Matt Sampson and Medoc de Toxandria suffered an uncharacteristic elimination.

Dallas Vegas Batilly, known at home as “Tilly”, looked as good as ever as she cruised round to post a textbook clear. Ben and Tilly had four-faults yesterday (16 July) and were Britain’s drop score, after Donald Whitaker, Scott Brash, and Matt posted clears.

“It was better today, not just the result, but she felt better,” said Ben.

“Yesterday it was quite late jumping for her, as it was for all the horses – she felt like she was more ready for her dinner than coming out to compete. She was very, very quiet, and uncharacteristically for her, made me work a little harder in a different respect.

“Today she had a lot more spring in her step and the jump was all there, which was great and a great start for the team. It was great to get a nice, smooth round. The combination she skipped a little bit going in, and I have to react quick with her, but other than that she jumped an excellent round, which gives me a lot of confidence.”

Next to jump for Great Britain was Matt Sampson and Medoc de Toxandria, who after yesterday’s high, faced a crushing low when the pair were eliminated at the treble combination 8ABC, just beyond the halfway stage of the course.

Medoc de Toxandria appeared to make a mistake as they jumped part B, then the pair were unable to regroup in time for part C, resulting in a run-out. When they came round to jump the combination again, Medoc de Toxandria once more struggled with part B and the pair were eliminated.

Donald Whitaker and Scott Brash are still to jump in today’s team round for Great Britain.

• To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

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Britain has had the best possible start to the European Showjumping Championships as the team is in the lead at the end of day one at Casas Novas Equestrian Center in A Coruña, Spain.

Matt Sampson (Medoc De Toxandria), Donald Whitaker (Millfield Colette), Scott Brash (Hello Folie) and Ben Maher (Dallas Vegas Batilly) top the 18 teams, with a total of 3.96 penalties.

“I couldn’t be more delighted with the whole squad and how they set about today,” said British Equestrian showjumping performance manager Di Lampard.

“Today is always a tricky day; when it’s a [speed class] everyone’s tempted to go fast but they all had their own plan. I’m absolutely delighted and we’re looking forward to the challenge to come.”

Donald and Reitsportanlage Dagobertshausen’s Millfield Colette were in the lead for some time; Ireland’s Daniel Coyle and Ariel Grange’s Legacy overtook them to take the individual lead, as did Richard Vogel and United Touch S for Germany, so they finish day one in third place.

Scott Brash and Hello Folie, owned by Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham, are in fifth place. Matt Sampson is 19th with Unex Competition Yard and Rachel and William Gredley’s Medoc De Toxandria, and Ben Maher 23rd with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s Dallas Vegas Batilly.

Germany is in second place at this early stage; Marcus Ehning (Coolio 42), Sophie Hinners (Iron Dames My Prins), Christian Kukuk (Just Be Gentle) and Richard and United are on a total of 4.19 faults. Belgium is third on 4.61 and Ireland seventh on 8.39.

The scores from today’s class have been converted into penalties so leaders Daniel Coyle and Legacy are on 0, Richard and United on 0.01 and Donald and Colette 0.67. All penalties carry through the week. The second round of jumping starts tomorrow (17 July) at 3pm local time (2pm BST).

• To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

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British rider takes the lead on day one of European Showjumping Championships: ‘I couldn’t be more proud’

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‘I couldn’t be more happy’: British rider enters top 10 on European Championships debut with borrowed horse

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Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly suffered disappointment when they had an unlucky pole on the opening day of the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships – but hopes remain high for Great Britain.

Ben and his own, Pamela Wright and Charlotte Rosetter’s 11-year-old mare got off to a solid start, nailing the tight turnback to the big upright at fence three and giving the wall at fence six some significant air. But as the pair came down the triple combination at fence seven, Dallas Vegas Batilly clipped the back bar of the oxer at part C, for four-faults.

Ben said he was “happy enough” with his round.

“I tried to get on the front side on the first day instead of playing catch up. She was backing up a little bit to start with on the first two fences and then the wall, she jumped high,” he said. “But she jumped a good round, and definitely kept enough jump in for the rest of the week.”

Ben said his teammates had left him in a good position to take some risk; Matt Sampson, Donald Whitaker and Scott Brash all jumped clear.

“The plan went well. I was quick early on, I could take some risk individually, because the team’s in good stead so it was nice to be put in that position by the rest of the team,” said Ben.

“After the one down I adjusted the plan to take a little bit more risk. I did seven strides after the plank whereas my first plan was eight. Then I did seven into the double, so two less strides than what I perhaps would have originally done, which for sure, saved me a second-and-a-half or so.”

Ben was full of praise for his teammates.

“Matthew did an amazing job, he’s a newbie on the team, and Donald has a fast horse so that was great for him. Scott was obviously on a new horse as well,” said Ben.

“We had a great first day. It’s not always great to go last because you’re hanging around the whole day, and sometimes it’s not an advantage to watch a lot.

“Today with an experienced horse [in Dallas Vegas Batilly], I think the game plan was not to have Matthew and Donald waiting around too long, and then I would know a little bit about what I had to do to play catch up for the team – or not. And in fact, I didn’t have to play any catch up. They did everything, so it gave me a bit of an advantage in how much risk I had to take.”

Ben said the competition will get “pretty serious after here”.

“Jumps will get bigger and wider, so it’s a long way to go, but we’re certainly in a good position and looking forward to tomorrow,” he said.

“Dallas Vegas Batilly is great, she’s experienced, so I don’t have to worry about what they bring out this week for her, so hopefully that can play into my strengths.”

The pole drops Ben down the order to 23rd, but there is still plenty of action to come. Donald Whitaker and Millfield Colette lie in third, Scott Brash and Hello Folie are in fifth, and Matt Sampson and Medoc De Toxandria are in 19th. Jessica Mendoza and In The Air, competing as individuals, picked up four-faults and sit in 45th.

All the riders’ faults and time are converted to penalties via a coefficient and that score will be carried through to leg two of these championships on Thursday (17 July).

• To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

Catch up with other reports from the Europeans:

British rider takes the lead on day one of European Showjumping Championships: ‘I couldn’t be more proud’

‘She was incredible’: Scott Brash’s rising star shines at European Showjumping Championships

‘I couldn’t be more happy’: British rider enters top 10 on European Championships debut with borrowed horse

‘A little disappointing, but the mare jumped fantastic’: solid start for Great Britain at the European Showjumping Championships

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There has been a horse change for the British team, in partnership with Agria, in the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships, which kick off in Spain on Wednesday (16 July).

Ben Maher had been selected with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s 11-year-old stallion Point Break, but British Equestrian (BEF) and British Showjumping (BS) have confirmed this morning (14 July) that he will instead ride Dallas Vegas Batilly, owned by Ben, Ms Rossetter and Ms Wright.

It is the same swap that was confirmed almost exactly a year ago, when Ben had been named with Point Break for the Paris Olympics but instead competed with the then 11-year-old mare – and Britain won team gold.

In a joint statement, the BEF and BS said the decision had been made after consultation with the rider and owners.

Dallas Vegas Batilly has been on fabulous form; she and Ben jumped double clear for Britain in the Aachen Nations Cup on 3 July, helping the team to third place and finishing fifth individually. They had also come third in the 1.60m Turkish Airlines-Prize of Europe on 2 July.

The championships are being held at Casas Novas equestrian centre in A Coruña, northwest Spain. The first horse inspection takes place on Tuesday and the showjumping starts with the speed class on Wednesday.

The team medals will be decided on Friday and the individual placings on Sunday.

* Update: Wednesday 16 July *

The riders on British team duty at the Europeans have been confirmed as:

• Ben Maher on Dallas Vegas Batilly
• Scott Brash on Hello Folie
• Matt Sampson on Medoc de Toxandria
• Donald Whitaker on Millfield Colette)

Jessica Mendoza and In The Air will be competing as an individual.

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Two of Britain’s Olympic 2024 gold medal-winning riders, and one of the horses, are on the list of nominated entries for the British European Showjumping Championships team.

Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly, who jumped clear in Versailles last year, are among the 10 combinations whose names will be submitted to the FEI for the event in Spain next month.

They are joined by Scott Brash, whose clear with Hello Jefferson secured that team gold, but who is named here with two other horses, and the Paris reserve rider Joe Stockdale, also with another horse.

Up-and-coming star Matt Sampson is included; it will be Matt’s championship debut if he starts in A Coruña, and a senior championship debut for Jessica Mendoza and Donald and Robert Whitaker, if they are selected for the final squad.

British European Showjumping Championships team, nominated entries

The full list of entries (in alphabetical order by rider surname) is:

Scott Brash with 10-year-old Hello Mango

Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham

Breeder: H P H Vaessen

Breeding: by Untouchable 27, out of a mare by Numero Uno

Scott Brash with 10-year-old Hello Folie

Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham

Breeder: Claire Gouin

Breeding: by Luidam, out of a mare by Diamant De Semilly

Ben Maher with 12-year-old Dallas Vegas Batilly

Owners: Charlotte Rossetter, Pamela Wright and rider

Breeder: Jean Claude Viollet

Breeding: by Cap Kennedy, out of a mare by L’Arc De Triomphe

Ben Maher with 11-year-old Enjeu de Grisien

Owners: Charlotte Rossetter, Pamela Wright and rider

Breeder: Elevage de Grisien

Breeding: by Toulon, out of a mare by Andiamo

Ben Maher with 11-year-old Point Break

Owners: Charlotte Rossetter, Pamela Wright and rider

Breeder: Nya Äppelvikens Ridskola

Breeding: by Action-Breaker, out of a mare by Baloubet Du Rouet

Jessica Mendoza with 12-year-old In The Air

Owner: rider

Breeder: C Den Boer

Breeding: by Air Jordan, out of a mare by Indoctro

Matthew Sampson with 13-year-old Medoc De Toxandria

Owners: Rachel Gredley, William Gredley and Unex Competition Yard

Breeder: Werner Dierckx

Breeding: by Der Senaat III, out of a mare by Kelvin De Sainte Hermelle,

Joseph Stockdale with 11-year-old Ebanking

Owners: Barbara Hester and Joe’s mother Laura Stockdale

Breeder: V Vriend

Breeding: by Etoulon, out of a mare by Aranebel

Donald Whitaker with 12-year-old Millfield Colette

Owners: Reitsportanlage Dagobertshausen GmbH and rider

Breeder: Sue Jaggar

Breeding: by Cornet Obolensky, out of a mare by Clearway

Robert Whitaker with 12-year-old Vermento

Owners: Caroline and Brian Stephen Blatchford

Breeders: John and Clare Whitaker

Breeding: by Argento, out of a mare by Skippy 12

A British Equestrian spokesperson said selection decisions are subject to athlete and horse maintaining fitness and performance. The squad of five combinations who will travel to A Coruña, plus non-travelling reserves, will be announced on or around 25 June.

“The funding that the British Equestrian World Class Programme receives from the National Lottery and UK Sport is pivotal in preparing our teams for senior championships and supporting them on the ground,” she said.

“British Equestrian is also extremely grateful for the support we enjoy from our partners – Agria, Bates Saddles, D&H, NAF, SEIB and Toggi – and team suppliers – Equi-Trek and Lotus Romeo. We’re indebted for the year-round support they provide to the World Class Programme and British teams, which helps us to best prepare for senior championships.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Heading to the European Showjumping Championships at Casas Novas? Here’s where to stay

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Olympic gold medallist Ben Maher thanked the medical and veterinary teams who came to his and Point Break’s aid after their fall at Windsor – in which neither horse nor rider was injured.

Ben and the star stallion, owned by Pamela Wright and Charlotte Rossiter, had a fall at the last oxer in the jump-off of the Rolex Grand Prix at Royal Windsor Horse Show on Sunday (18 May).

The combination were among 10 that had jumped clear in the first round, as Ben aimed to regain the title he won with Explosion W in 2021, and had been faultless on the tight turns and long gallops. But at that final oxer, the 11-year-old Point Break appeared to pick up early and they went down. Both walked out of the arena, and Ben confirmed yesterday that they were unhurt.

“A tough moment at Windsor yesterday, but grateful to say both Point Break and I are totally fine,” he said.

“Thank you for all the kind messages and a huge shout out to the medical team and vets for checking us both over so quickly. Onwards and upwards!”

Ben has been riding Swedish-bred “Bodhi”, named after Patrick Swayze’s character in his namesake film, since 2021 and he was initially selected with Ben for the Paris Olympics.

He and Ben have been on flying form this year, following up a win in the US, when Ben was nursing a broken foot, to second place in the 2025 World Cup Final a week later.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Pushing through the pain: British Olympic gold medallist wins £90,000 class with broken foot

Meet Ben Maher’s Paris Olympics ride Point Break: ‘He has all the ability, but I’ll have to hold his hand a bit more than Explosion’

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US showjumper Kent Farrington has taken the lead in the Longines world rankings, overtaking long-time world number one Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden.

Marking the end of an incredible era in the sport, Kent climbed above the Swedish multi-medallist in the latest standings issued by the FEI on 6 May.

Henrik had climbed to the top spot way back in August 2022. He reigned for the longest consecutive period and held the largest advantage over his rivals (593 points over France’s Julien Epaillard) in the past 14 years.

Kent Farrington has been in flying form this year, most recently landing the Kentucky International CSI5* grand prix on home soil with Greya.

“I’m a big believer in investing in yourself. No one wants it more than me,” Kent told H&H in a recent interview. “It says a lot when I’m going to put everything I have into my own career. I take a lot of risk.”

Ben Maher moves up to number two in the world rankings

Olympic silver medallist Kent Farrington now holds the world number one spot with 3,269 points and Great Britain’s triple Olympic gold medallist Ben Maher has moved up to second position with 3,064 points, while Henrik von Eckermann drops to third.

The reigning Olympic champion Christian Kukuk drops one place to fourth position with 2,928 points with Steve Guerdat of Switzerland holding firm in fifth position.

The next highest placed British showjumper in the Longines world rankings is Scott Brash, a recent grand prix victor in Shanghai, who has climbed back into the top 30 at 27th. Ireland’s Cian O’Connor is another notable mover, joining the world’s elite by slotting into the top 10.

This is the second time that Kent has topped the world rankings – he reached the world number one spot in May 2017, taking over from his team-mate McLain Ward and he held that position for a year before Dutch showjumper Harrie Smolders propelled above him in 2018.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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World number five showjumper Ben Maher took a major victory in the US just after he broke his foot in a freak – not horse-related – accident.

The three-time Olympic gold medallist rode Point Break to win the Adequan WEF Challenge in week 12 of the Winter Equestrian Festival at Wellington International in Florida, USA.

The class was on 27 March – two days after he fractured his foot.

“I opened the back of the car and a heavy piece of machinery fell on it,” said Ben, whose broken bones are in alignment. He is wearing a riding boot with a supportive synthetic sole to allow him to compete.

Ben and Pamela Wright and Charlotte Rossetter’s 11-year-old Action-Breaker stallion, who flew to the US the previous Sunday (23 March) and returned to Europe the day after the class, were late to go in the 16-strong jump-off.

Six of the world’s top 10 riders were vying for the honours in the $116,100 (£90,000) class, in which Ben beat home rider Kent Farrington with Toulayna into second by 1.15sec.

“I didn’t watch Kent today; I’ve made that mistake a couple of times this season already,” said Ben.

“I think the distances were quite forward for me; I was always moving and always going forward. Everything came up nicely today and it was great to get a win on board for the team.

“It’s sometimes the timing, I’ve had a lot of second places with Enjeu [de Grisien] and Dallas [Vegas Batilly] in the grands prix here, so sometimes you feel you just need that one result to change the mentality of the team and give us all a little hope.”

Point Break was due to return to Europe with plenty of time before the World Cup Final (2-6 April), in which he and Ben and Robert Whitaker and Vermento are the British representatives.

Harry Charles also had a week 12 WEF win; he and Stall Zet and his father Peter’s 12-year-old Sherlock won the five-star 1.40m speed class by almost six seconds.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Can anything in the sport of showjumping cap a day in which you win one of the most prestigious grands prix in the world? Well, yes it can if your first child also decides to make her arrival on the morning of the competition. We headline this week’s international showjumping news round-up with the remarkable story of Olympic champion Christian Kukuk’s unforgettable day in Florida, in which he won the $750,000 Rolex grand prix hours after becoming a father. No wonder he described himself as “the happiest man on the planet”.

Read on for all of this week’s showjumping news and results from around the world.

Showjumping news: “A day we’ll never forget”

The Olympic champion Christian Kukuk had “a day we’ll never forget” on Saturday, 29 March, when he not only celebrated becoming a father for the first time, but he also won one of the biggest grands prix on the global circuit for the second year running.

With almost immaculate timing, Christian and his partner Veronica Tracy were due to welcome their first child just after the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida, concluded. But baby Lila decided to make her appearance a day early, arriving at 1am on the morning of WEF’s season finale, the $750,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open grand prix.

Christian won the competition last year and the euphoric new father teamed up once again with his incredible Olympic gold medal-winning partner Checker 47 to produce one of the performances of his life. In an eight-way jump-off, he beat runner-up US rider Laura Kraut (Bisquetta), with pathfinder Ashlee Bond of Israel riding Donatello 141 finishing in third.

“I’ll be there as fast as I can!” was his message to Veronica after winning the class on Saturday evening.

“As always, Checker gave me his all. It really was a dream come true and something we’ll be able to relive for every birthday to come. I am the happiest man on the planet tonight,” he said, also crediting groom Sofie Karlsson, for whom the Madeleine Winter-Schulze-owned Checker is “like her best friend”.

“I know every single button and Checker knows and trusts me. It’s a relationship based on trust,” he said. “I know exactly what I can ask from him, and he knows I would never ask anything crazy from him. Consistently winning on this level is only about creating a deep relationship with your horse.

“I knew Laura was fast and that I had to try everything in the jump-off,” added Christian, who has spent his first winter in Florida. “It went well and then suddenly I had too many strides to the last. I thought for a second that I had lost it but I looked to the screen and saw I got lucky in that moment.”

Laura admitted she had “left the door open”, and Christian managed to stop the clock 0.29sec quicker than her and Cherry Knnoll Farm’s 11-year-old mare.

“Being second to the Olympic champion feels pretty good,” she said. “Bisquetta is a very quick horse, but I got a bit cautious.”

Ashlee Bond credited her Olympic partner: “Donnie and I have been together for nine years, and after the Olympics I wasn’t sure he was going to do this again.

“The fact that I get to be third in a Rolex 1.60m grand prix makes me grateful and I don’t take any of these moments for granted,” she added. “As long as he keeps telling me that he loves his job, he’ll do it. Then, if he can give my daughter pony rides for the rest of his career, that’s fine.”

• Rolex US Equestrian Open grand prix results

Wins for Mendoza and Maher

Great Britain’s Jessica Mendoza added another victory to an impressive string of results at this year’s WEF, this time with borrowed horse VDL Stella, the ride of one of her students.

“There were enough in the jump-off so it was nice I was last to go; I could see what everyone was doing,” she said after landing the CSI2* jump-off class. “She doesn’t have the biggest stride so I couldn’t do the leave-outs. Some did seven [strides] to the double, but I knew doing eight was just as quick. I went quick without losing my cool.”

Ben Maher is nursing a fractured foot, but he also managed to win on the final week of WEF, topping the Adequan WEF Challenge Cup with Point Break, who was newly arrived in Florida from the Dutch Masters and was due on a return flight for this week’s World Cup Final in Basel, Switzerland.

“He came, did his job and he’s leaving,” said Ben, who beat world number two Kent Farrington on Toulayna, with Daniel Coyle third with Ariel Grange’s Legacy. “Competition is tough here – it always is – but I think more and more of the world’s best are coming here.”

• WEF results

Grand prix glory for Ryan

Ireland’s Thomas Ryan landed the Toscana Tour’s CSI4* grand prix in Arezzo, Italy, with 10-year-old Jezebeau BC, after just three combinations made the jump-off. Earlier in the week, Jack Whitaker continued his excellent form with Equine America Valmy De La Lande, finishing second to Harrie Smolders (Mr Tac) in the Longines world rankings grand prix qualifier.

• Toscana Tour results

Showjumping news: a milestone in Mexico

And finally in this week’s international showjumping news round-up, we head to Mexico, where Italy’s Emanuele Camilli delivered a milestone first Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) grand prix success with Chacco’s Girlstar, edging out Jörne Sprehe and Sprehe Hot Easy. Jérôme Guery and Great Britain V completed the podium.

“I took all the risk and I was lucky that it went my way today,” said Camilli, who secured his place at the Super Grand Prix in November.

Denis Lynch is the new LGCT championship leader at this early stage in the series.

• LGCT of Mexico results
• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

In this week’s international showjumping news round-up, we head to the iconic Grand Palais on the Champs-Élysées in the centre of Paris, where top-tier showjumping makes a welcome return after several years. There was much excitement across the pond too, where, in Florida, the second leg of the Longines League of Nations produced a high-pressure finale, resulting in the narrowest of winning margins.

Read on for a round-up of this week’s leading international showjumping news stories and results.

Showjumping news: iconic venue makes welcome return

After a hiatus of several years during which the Grand Palais was transformed into an Olympic sporting venue for Paris 2024, top-flight showjumping made a welcome return to the iconic venue, on the Champs-Élysées in central Paris.

Under the breathtaking glass roof, the prestigious Saut Hermès took place over three days and Sunday’s feature grand prix was won by Simon Delestre with Cayman Jolly Jumper, finishing just ahead of Great Britain’s Robert Whitaker riding the brilliant stallion Vermento.

Robert and the Blatchfords’ 12-year-old stallion were drawn first against the clock, producing a double clear in 41.70sec. But France’s Simon Delestre triumphed in a time of 41.21sec, marking a historic third victory in this prestigious class.

“You can sense the weight of history at this venue,” said the in-form Simon, who won the Rolex grand prix at the Dutch Masters the previous week.

Robert said: “Simon was too quick, but I have no regrets.”

Great Britain’s Allana Clutterbuck (Vykinbay) and Claudia Moore (Hardesther) finished second overall in the Les Talents Hermès team competition.

• Saut Hermes results

USA claim victory in showjumping team thriller

With a vocal home crowd to propel them, the US squad of Lillie Keenan (Argan De Beliard), Aaron Vale (Carissimo 25), Laura Kraut on Dorado 212 and McLain Ward with Ilex delivered a dazzling victory in the second leg of the Longines League of Nations (LLN) in Ocala, Florida.

“To win on home soil and to have everyone see one of the best venues in the world is so special, because we all share an incredible sport,” said 28-year-old LLN debutante Lillie, who referred to Argan De Beliard as her “trusty team-mate”. “The more pressure the better for us.”

But in a dramatic evening of twists and turns, the contest remained nail-bitingly close at every stage and Germany were left ruing a first-round time-fault which kept them one point off the victors in the final standings. USA’s victory was only sealed with a final double clear from final rider McLain Ward (Ilex), marking a first LLN success for the United States.

World number seven McLain, who spent four weeks on the sidelines after a fall in January said: “The drama at the end is a testament to the format – it makes for excellent sport and competition.

“When Sophie Hinners [Germany’s final rider] jumped clear, I got a smile on my face and thought, ‘OK, game on’. This is what we do – you focus and this is what you live for.”

Belgium finished third with 13 faults, equal with Ireland who missed out on the final podium place by just one second when the two teams were split by accumulated times.

“We set very high expectations of ourselves, so obviously we’re disappointed,” said Ireland’s chef d’equipe Michael Blake, who picked Darragh Kenny (Eddy Blue), Cian O’Connor (Bentley De Sury) and 20-year-old Tom Wachman with Tabasco De Toxandria Z as his trio for round two; Daniel Coyle and Incredible sitting it out after a four-fault tally in round one.

“Some of the poles that dropped were ones that we ordinarily wouldn’t have, but that’s jumping. There were some real positives out there and plenty to build on,” added Michael.

Great Britain repeated their Abu Dhabi result of sixth. Pathfinders Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly returned from an eight-fault first round to stay faultless in round two, while Jessica Mendoza (In The Air) hit a rail in each round and anchor rider Harry Charles (Casquo Blue) jumped clear in round one but added four penalties in round two. GB’s LLN team debutant Charlie Jones, 26, produced a super opener for just four faults on Capitale 6, but was on the sidelines for round two.

Chef d’equipe Di Lampard said, “It was a tough competition with strong teams and a strong course but everyone handled it well.

“The team were so unlucky; we were four faults away from third place and a clear from Jess or Harry in the second round would have clinched it.”

Di credited Charlie’s “unbelievable” performance.

“He had an early rail at fence two but kept it together to come home on four faults, all credit to him, he was outstanding.,” she said. “It is a shame with this format he couldn’t go again.”

• LLN results

Olympic champion lands grand prix

After a nine-way battle between some of the titans of the sport, the reigning Olympic champion Christian Kukuk landed Thursday’s $350,000 Lugano grand prix at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida.

Riding the hugely exciting mare Just Be Gentle, with whom he jumped double clear in the LLN, the German rider set an unbeatable target from first draw. Ireland’s multi-medallist Cian O’Connor came closest with his own Iron Man but next-generation talent was hot on their heels, with 25-year-old French rider Nina Mallevaey (Nikka VD Bisschop) and 20-year-old US competitor Mimi Gochman (Inclen BH) in third and fourth respectively, the top five rounded out by the mighty combination of Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward.

“She’s as sharp as a lion and in the ring she just wants to go fast,” said Christian of the Dutch warmblood by Tyson. “I’m excited for the rest of the year with her.”

• Lugano grand prix results

Showjumping news: “We’re over the moon”

Finally in this week’s international showjumping news round-up, we head to Wellington, Florida. As the Winter Equestrian Festival reaches the final furlong, 20-year-old US rider Ansgar Holgers Jr landed the biggest success of his career in the $200,000 KASK CSI4* grand prix with Pixel-K Van’t Kattenhey.

“Any win feels nice, but this is definitely the icing on the cake,” he said, after beating Spencer Smith (HHS Seattle) and Shane Sweetnam (Gilona AO) to the top of the podium.

Ashlee Bond was among the other winners this week, riding Night Wish to victory in the WEF Challenge Cup. Their partnership hasn’t been plain sailing, however.

“He had a rearing issue and he was quite opinionated,” she said. “I worked with Leo Rauscher and he spent two weeks with him and completely turned this horse around. I’m really proud of the work because this was almost a lost cause. The fact that we’re here a year after he did his first 1.40m is really special. My goal is for him to do the FEI World Championships next year at Aachen, and the LA Olympics is my end goal. I think this horse has a good shot at jumping clear every day. I’m working backwards from three years to today.”

• WEF results
• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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While children are counting down the days until Father Christmas arrives, horse fans will be eagerly awaiting the start of the annual equestrian extravaganza that is the London International Horse Show (18-22 December) and what a feast we’re in for this year!

For showjumping fans, it’s a chance to see many of the world’s leading riders in action on home soil. So who will be lining up among the list of entries for this year’s London International at the ExCeL London?

The five-star jumping action begins on Wednesday with the opening night’s evening performance concluding with the ever-popular LeMieux puissance competition. Of course this glittering occasion won’t be the same without the late great Mr Blue Sky UK this year, but an intriguing field of nine entries comes forward to tackle the big red wall.

Home riders lead the way with Carmen Edwards (Happy Valerie), Seb Hughes and Colorado Volo, relative puissance newcomers Rachel Proudley (Easy Boy De Laubry Z), Paul Sims (Kingfisher), teenage sensation and London International puissance debutante Maisy Williams (Dalton D’Hoyo) and Olympic eventer Gemma Stevens (Envoy Merelsnest Z) staking their claim on the silverware.

They will be joined by Irish representatives Geoff Curran on Bishops Quarter and Jason Foley with Dantino B, while Daniel Delsart flies the flag for France with new ride Major Delacour.

London International five-star entries

British riders will be out in force in the five-star classes, led by two of the three riders who won team gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics – Scott Brash and Ben Maher.

Harry Charles, who has enjoyed huge success at the London International in recent years but who has been competing in USA in recent weeks, will be attending the show but won’t be competing.

The trio of Olympic heroes will also take part in the Team GB medal parade on Wednesday night.

Tim Gredley arrives at the London International with top horses Imperial HBF, Medoc De Toxandria and rising star Kolman VDP, while crowd favourite Matt Sampson lines up with Daniel and Ebolensky.

Also arriving in London as Great Britain’s entries are Joe Stockdale, Donald Whitaker, Jack Whitaker, John Whitaker and his son Robert Whitaker, all of whom will also be hoping to give the home crowd plenty to cheer about.

Ireland’s entries and other top showjumpers to look out for

For Ireland, Daniel Coyle and Darragh Kenny will be contesting the festive five-star classes. Other top names to look out for include Max Kuhner of Austria, Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet and twins Nicola and Olivier Philippaerts, in-form French showjumpers Julien Anquetin, Julien Epaillard and Kevin Staut.

It wouldn’t be the London International without the antics of legendary German rider Marcus Ehning and Norway’s Geir Gulliksen, while Swedish heavyweight and world number one Henrik von Eckermann, and Switzerland’s superstars Martin Fuchs and Steve Guerdat always ensure superb sport.

The five-star showjumping action begins on Wednesday 18 December and concludes on Sunday 22 December with the Longines FEI World Cup presented by Agria.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout major shows such as London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Olympic gold medallist Ben Maher and Ginger-Blue won the Dallamires Stables Cup, the opening ranking class of the 2024 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), with as fast a jump-off round as you’re likely to see.

Ben and the incredible 13-year-old mare went at a pace blistering enough to take two and a half seconds off the time of Joe Stockdale and Ebanking – whose round had been a super-fast one in itself.

“Ginger-Blue was amazing tonight,” Ben said. “She’s been with me a long time; we know each other very well and she’s an amazing indoor horse. HOYS came at the right time in the schedule; she’s amazing indoors, I’ve got another promising young horse here for the same owner, and it’s always good to win with the owners here.

“This is an amazing arena when it’s full and to go last and win like that – it never gets old.”

Ben and Jane Forbes Clark’s Plot Blue mare were in pole position in the jump-off, having jumped the fastest of only four first-round clears. Joe and the 10-year-old star stallion Ebanking, owned by Joe’s mother Laura and Barbara Hester, had jumped a superb fast round, which next-in Sienna Charles and Valkiry De Zance couldn’t quite catch, so it all came down to Ben.

It would never be wise to bet against Ben, especially when he’s last to go in a jump-off, and he showed why, as the mare showed her phenomenal powers of acceleration, jumping on the turns and finishing with a mighty gallop to the last oxer.

“I was always going to try,” Ben said. “Perhaps I went a bit quick at the end, took a bit of a risk to the second-last but it’s hard to judge on the screen [from the warm-up] what it looks like in real life. But that was a round where everything just came up right.

“Maybe if I’d been a bit earlier to go, I wouldn’t have gone as fast but she was turning, she was with me, every turn and angle. When the horse is following and listening like that, it makes my job very easy, and naturally you’re quicker because it’s smoother. I wish every round was like that.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout Horse of the Year Show, London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Fresh from their glittering success at the Paris 2024 Games, all four of the Olympic showjumping gold medallists will be competing at this week’s Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) in London (16-18 August), where they will be celebrated with a special ceremony.

Great Britain’s team gold medal-winning trio of Scott Brash, Harry Charles and Ben Maher will be in action alongside Germany’s newly crowned individual Olympic champion Christian Kukuk.

This quartet of heroic gold medallists will be joined in a special ceremony by bronze team medallist Simon Delestre of France and the Dutch individual bronze medallist Maikel van der Vleuten.

The medallists’ ceremony will take place in the main ring during the LGCT show at Royal Hospital Chelsea on Saturday, 17 August at 1.15pm ahead of the start of the day’s five-star action. The grooms and riders will be given gifts and there will be a live Q&A.

In 2021, the newly crowned Olympic champion Ben Maher was celebrated in similar style with an Olympic medallists’ parade at the London LGCT show.

15 Olympians to watch

A total of 15 riders from Paris 2024 will head straight to London including the LGCT overall ranking leader Max Kuhner, plus Edwina Tops-Alexander and Richard Vogel.

Other global showjumping stars heading to the capital are Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Olivier and Nicola Philippaerts and Christian Ahlmann.

Leading British showjumpers

Among the leading British names bidding for success on home soil at the 12th leg of the LGCT series in London are John Whitaker, newly crowned young rider European champion Olli Fletcher and Hickstead’s recent King George V Gold Cup winner Donald Whitaker, with cousins Jack Whitaker and Robert Whitaker also completing the line-up from the famous showjumping dynasty.

Last year’s winner of the LGCT of London grand prix was USA rider Jessica Springsteen.

H&H will be keeping you up-to-date with all the action from the three-day show online, with a bumper report in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine, in the shops on Thursday, 22 August.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Great Britain’s Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly went briefly into the lead in the Paris Olympic individual showjumping final – but one rail down has ultimately put them out of the running for a medal.

As the fourth combination into the arena in Versailles this morning, the team gold medallists looked on great form; the 11-year-old mare fresh and strong and full of jump.

But they were unlucky to clip the back rail of the oxer coming out of the double at fence five to finish on four faults. This took them into the lead at that early stage, ahead of European individual silver medallists Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt and Zineday on five, and were temporarily equal top when next-in Laura Kraut and Baloutinue for the US had just the last fence, the 1.62m LA 2028 oxer, down.

The following combination, Max Kuhner and Elektric Blue P for Austria, did exactly the same as Laura, then home rider Simon Delestre and I Amelusina R 51 picked up eight faults. But someone was always going to jump clear, and the first to do so was Germany’s Christian Kukuk and Checker 47. The Netherlands’ Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z, individual bronze medallists in Tokyo, 10th into the arena, also jumped a super clear to set up a jump-off.

As soon as there were clears rounds, the four faulters were separated by their times, putting Max and Laura ahead of Ben on the leader board.

“It’s a big course, but it’s the Olympic final so it’s what we expect,” said Ben. “We came here to try to win but it’s small margins. My horse jumped incredible, but it wasn’t meant to be today.”

Ben said the course had “a bit of everything”.

“It’s quite a big board on that jump as you jump in, going towards the big screen,” he said of the double. “My horse just stalled a little bit off the floor, unexpectedly and was a little late. I couldn’t really react any quicker than I did.

“But she held it together and jumped great. We all say we didn’t deserve it; she didn’t deserve it but misjudged that back rail and that’s our sport, unfortunately. It’s a good course and very fair for the horses, but you need to be clear today.”

Ben said his focus now is supporting Scott, next in for the Brits with Jefferson.

“We’ve had a good week,” he said. “We go home with a gold medal. I’ll look to support Scott now and see if we can win something else.”

Harry Charles has withdrawn as Romeo 88 picked up a slight overreach in yesterday’s qualifier.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Olympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Great Britain’s Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly did an impressive job of regaining their composure after collecting four faults at a tricky optical illusion fence to earn their place in the Paris 2024 Olympic showjumping individual final.

The 11-year-old mare, who Ben owns with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright, looked on super form as she navigated the track, until the pair fell foul of the wall at fence 12, with Dallas Vegas Batilly’s back legs taking it down.

“I just keep it all exciting for everybody,” joked Ben Maher, following his round in the Olympic showjumping individual qualifier. “We’re in so that’s all that matters I guess. It can quickly go from close to pole position tomorrow to not being in [the final], but I don’t know what happened.

“She felt amazing today. She was very, very lively outside already this morning, and she’s very sensitive now. I don’t know why. Today she was on it and playing a bit in the warm-up but when I got in the ring she honestly was jumping as good, if not better, than the other days and to the point where I thought I’d just keep on [going for a fast] time.”

Ahead of his round Ben had made a “plan B” option, should anything have gone wrong.

“My target was 75sec with a fence down. I know that’s a little bit of a back to front way of looking at it, but a worst case scenario plan B. And I guess there’s a big shadow by the wall now, maybe I should have just gone in and taken her over [to look at it],” he said.

“She took a little bit of a look; she just rolled around the corner and as she took off, it just took her by surprise. Luckily I’m a little older and experienced and we made a quick recovery to get home.”

Ben said the courses in the Paris Olympic showjumping have “been incredible”, describing them as “fair” but “delicate”.

“They’re big obviously, but we expect that at the Olympics – but they are very fair and I don’t think taking too much out of the horses, and they’re ultimately our priority here,” he said.

“Today is always a difficult day, I think they got a fair amount of clear rounds but it’s very, very easy for the higher ranked riders to just slip on the wrong side of the cut-off mark here, but we are in the Olympics and I’m happy I’m in [the final].”

Tomorrow the scores go back to zero, meaning it’s all to play for.

“That I’m happy with right now,” said Ben. “I could have been second last to go, and now I’m going to be probably three or four in. Dallas she’s a very sensitive horse – but she’s a great horse. We’re earlier in the morning tomorrow and I ride my own plan anyway, so sometimes you’re better to go out from the beginning, do your thing, and let the others come behind. So I hope we’ve had our mistake this week today.”

Seventy-three combinations tackled the Olympic showjumping individual qualifier today, with 30 going through to tomorrow’s (6 August) final.

All three Brits will compete for an individual medal, with both Harry Charles and Romeo 88 and Scott Brash and Jefferson, both posting clear rounds today. They will be joined by showjumping heavyweights including Frenchman Julien Epaillard and Dubai Du Cedre – who top the standings and will jump last tomorrow – Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward, Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz and Daniel Coyle with Legacy, European champions Steve Guerdat and Dynamix De Belheme, and Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei for Switzerland.

• To stay up-to-date with all the breaking news throughout the Olympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Britain topped the Olympic team showjumping results today, claiming a second equestrian team gold of Paris 2024 with a dream result from Ben Maher, Harry Charles and Scott Brash.

Let’s catch up on all the stories from Versailles…

Scott Brash clinched Britain’s victory with a superb clear on Jefferson under the maximum pressure, picking up just one time-fault.

• How the Brits reacted to their win

Harry Charles and Romeo 88 took the middle leg for Britain and added nothing to Team GB’s score.

• What Harry said about the “biggest moment in my career”

Ben Maher rode Dallas Vegas Batilly – who was swapped into the British team following initial selection as a reserve – to an opening jumping clear with one time-fault, getting the day off to a great start.

• Ben’s thoughts on how the course suited his mare – and why he had a time-fault

The US turned their equestrian luck from this Games around by taking the silver medal in the Olympic team showjumping results.

• What Karl Cook said about going from reserve to medallist in less than 48 hours

The home side landed the team bronze, to the joy of the patriotic crowd.

• Read the French team’s emotional response

Ireland suffered disappointment today, finishing in seventh place, after a strong start.

• What happened to Shane Sweetnam, Daniel Coyle and Cian O’Connor?

They might not have won a medal, but one Olympic debutante was savouring the moment.

• Find out how this Canadian rider felt just before the bell rang

.An 18-year-old horse has made an impressive comeback after a career-threatening injury to make the team finals.

• What happened to Quel Homme De Hus?

Eiken Sato is hoping for individual honours after the team contest didn’t go Japan’s way.

• What helps Eiken manage his disappointment?

Home-breds were to the fore with one of the French silver medallists riding one as well as an Australian rider.

• What does it mean to ride a horse you have known since its conception?

Finally, it’s back to dressage for the weekend, with the team medals in that sport being decided tomorrow and the individual honours on Sunday, before we return to showjumping for the individual contest on Monday and Tuesday.

• What to look out for in the dressage tomorrow

Stay tuned for more action from Paris over the next four days.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Olympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Friday’s medal decider for the team Olympic showjumping at Paris 2024 has kicked off with plenty of drama from the first line riders, the time-allowed proving particularly tight.

But Great Britain’s pathfinder Ben Maher and super 11-year-old mare Dallas Vegas Batilly executed their second superb jumping clear of the Olympics, just succumbing to the 79sec time limit to come home with one penalty on the board. The mare looked to be loving the track set by Santiago Varela and Gregory Bodo, remaining beautifully balanced down some tough lines over some colourful Paris-themed fences.

Ben Maher had swapped from his intended ride Point Break in the run-up to the Games but Dallas Vegas Batilly, who he co-owns with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright, has proved a superb substitution so far at the Paris Olympics.

Olympic showjumping: “We gave the team a great start” says Ben Maher

The pair jumped a perfect clear in Thursday’s qualifier to help Great Britain qualify for the team final, and again over Friday’s more technical track which will decide the team medals. The pair’s one-penalty score was the best performance from the first-line riders, putting Great Britain into an early lead ahead of France and Germany.

“It was a great round again today again, I’m very happy,” said Ben Maher on day two of the Olympic showjumping. “She felt a little unsettled just as I went in today, there are a lot of people here and they told me outside that the time was short. Maybe I just underestimated it a tiny bit on the rollbacks. But we left the jumps up and gave the team a great start.

“We’re talking point three of a second [over the time allowed]. All the distances are very, very slow for my horse today, which takes a lot of time up. I could perhaps have gone shorter back after the double of Liverpools, taken a bit of a risk there, but she jumped great and our team is in a good position so far.”

Ben is followed by team-mates Harry Charles (Romeo 88) and Scott Brash with Jefferson for Friday’s medal decider.

• To stay up-to-date with all the breaking news throughout the Olympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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The Olympic showjumping team qualifier results are in after a fast and furious three hours of action in Paris. It’s been a super day for Great Britain, who qualified comfortably for tomorrow’s team final, and Ireland are also in the top 10 teams so will come back for a shot at the medals.

Read on to catch up with all the stories from today…

The day started with drama for Tokyo team silver medallists the USA when they had to make a late substitution to their team.

• Find out who joined the team and who is on the sidelines for the team contest

Ben Maher was first out of the blocks for Team GB and put in a super clear on Dallas Vegas Batilly.

• What Ben said about being the pathfinder

Harry Charles kept Britain well in the hunt with four faults on Romeo 88.

• Why the course didn’t really suit Harry’s horse

Scott Brash took the anchor leg for Great Britain and confirmed the qualification with four faults on Jefferson.

• Read what Scott said about how Jefferson jumped

Away from the Brits, there were some surprises in today’s competition.

• Which leading nation got off to a bad start?

In the second rider rotation, a competitor who had been called in from the alternate spot shone.

• Who was it and what did he say about the call-up?

After the third tranche of riders, the Olympics showjumping team qualifier results were confirmed.

• Who qualified for the team final?

Ireland also made it through to tomorrow’s decider.

• Find out what Cian O’Connor thought of the course today

Unfortunately the Brazilian team dropped out of the running today because Pedro Veniss was eliminated when “minor blood” was found on Nimrod De Muze’s flanks.

•  More from the FEI statement

Looking ahead, here’s what to keep an eye on in the team showjumping medal contest.

• 5 things not to miss tomorrow

Although today and tomorrow are all about showjumping, we’re also looking forward to the Olympic dressage action getting going again on Saturday – and we’ve been catching up on yesterday’s final stories in that discipline.

• Find out when the Brits ride for medals on Saturday

Yessin Rahmouni was in bed for two months this spring after a serious injury in a fall, but returned to compete in the dressage here in Paris.

• Read the Moroccan rider’s incredible story

Finally, Yvonne Losos de Muñiz retired her 19-year-old mare yesterday in Paris.

• What will Aquamarijn do now?

Join us again tomorrow for more showjumping action from Paris 2024.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Olympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Great Britain’s pathfinder Ben Maher has jumped a copybook clear with his mare Dallas Vegas Batilly in the opening round of the Paris 2024 Olympic showjumping on Thursday (1 August).

The defending Olympic gold medallist from Tokyo, who made a last-minute change of horse, from Point Break to this year older Cap Kennedy daughter in the run up to the start of the team jumping, rode an absolute masterclass to come home clear inside the time providing a crucial early zero score for Great Britain.

“That was perfect,” said Ben. “That was a great start and it’s good just to get going; there’s a lot of waiting around and not knowing what’s coming on the first round, but it’s a big enough test today and Dallas Vegas was listening and really on point for me.”

Olympic showjumping: Ben Maher’s magical clear round

There were huge smiles from Great Britain’s chef d’equipe Di Lampard and the British support team as Ben left the arena.

“Going first for the team there’s always a bit of running around before you go in – should we be doing this or should we be doing that,” said Ben Maher, already a double Olympic gold medallist. “But Tilly, as we call her in the stable, has a very big stride. We allow her to use that stride to her advantage and I think that helps play a part in me keeping the round very smooth today.”

The athletic 11-year-old Dallas Vegas Batilly, who is jointly owned by Ben with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright, is an exceptional talent, who Ben has always pinpointed as having championship potential. They sailed stylishly over the first round track set by Santiago Varela and Gregory Bodo, which has produced faults all over, but in particular at the water jump on a tricky dog leg at fence nine and the flimsy vertical in the middle of the treble combination on the home straight.

“No second chances this week”

“The course is big enough – I don’t know what the other riders are saying, but there’s no second chances this week,” said Ben. “So I’m sure we’re going see everything throughout the week. But things are coming quick enough today. It’s quite careful jumping. I’m sure scope will play more of a part as the days go on. She found it testing, but very manageable today. 

“She can be temperamental, but she feels very on it and focused this week. From day one, when we got here, she’s been very settled, very calm in her head. I’m not having to do much warm up at all, which is helping a little bit in the heat. So she feels really ready and confident and that gives me as a rider, a lot of confidence.

“She’s ready and experienced, she’s won grands prix in the past and she’s fit and she feels very on form. Hopefully her experience will help carry us forward this week.”

Twenty teams are in action today (Thursday 1 August), with the top 10 teams progressing to Friday’s team medal decider. The individual showjumping contest at the Paris 2024 Olympics begins on Monday 5 August with the medals decided the following day.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Olympic Games, Burghley, the Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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There has been a change in the British showjumping team for the Paris Olympics, British Equestrian (BEF) has confirmed.

Team GB, with the BEF and British Showjumping, has announced today (30 July) that Olympic champion Ben Maher will ride his reserve horse Dallas Vegas Batilly, instead of Point Break.

“The change from Point Break is down to form post-travel,” a BEF spokesperson said.

Dallas Vegas Batilly is an 11-year-old mare by Cap Kennedy 2, out of a mare by L’Arc De Triomphe. She is owned by Ben, Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright. Ben has been riding her since summer 2022, and he told H&H at the London International Horse Show a few months later that she was “very, very talented” and “a real championship, big-time horse for the future”. The combination won the FEI Longines World Cup leg in November last year, which they followed with a successful winter culminating in sixth place at the World Cup Final.

They were last in action in Aachen at the start of this month, where they jumped double clear to help Britain to third in the Nations Cup. They were unlucky to tip one rail in the first round of the Rolex Grand Prix two days later, but jumped clear in the second round to finish in fifth place in one of the world’s most prestigious competitions.

Ben goes to Paris to defend the individual Olympic title he won in Tokyo with Explosion W, and he has come fourth, a whisker off the individual medals, at both senior championships since, the 2022 World Championships at which Britain won bronze, and last year’s Europeans, both with Faltic HB.

The first showjumping horse inspection is tomorrow (31 July) and the team competition runs on Thursday and Friday.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Olympic Games, Burghley, the Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Donald Whitaker headed a British one, two, three in the Agria King George V Gold Cup, triumphing in a thriller of a jump-off on a mare who “absolutely loves” her job.

In a fitting close to a fantastic week of sport at the Agria Royal International Horse Show, Donald and Millfield Colette took their first five-star win in the grand prix, from Ben Maher with Enjeu De Grisien in second and Tim Gredley and Medoc De Toxandria third. Less than a fifth of a second separated the top three combinations.

“I’ve been coming to this show since I was eight years old, to watch my uncles and cousins, and the likes of Ben,” said an emotional Donald. “Looking at this trophy you can see the names on it; Michael, John [Whitaker], everyone who’s won it before – this means absolutely the world to me. It’s my first five-star win, at my favourite show in the world. It means everything.”

Only 10 of the 50 starters in this prestigious class had conquered Kelvin Bywater’s tough first-round track, setting up what was always going to be a high-class jump-off.

One of those was John Whitaker and Equine America Unick Du Francport, who tipped the double, to a groan from the crowd, to finish in 50.82 seconds. It was the fourth combination in, Brazil’s Luciana Lossio and Lady Louise Jmen, who set the standard to beat, jumping clear in 46.76. This was a lead that held until Ben and Enjeu, third-last to go, came in.

Ben and Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s 10-year-old gelding set off at a cracking pace, almost taking the grass off the Irish bank as they turned past it, and coming round to the last on a beautiful smooth curve to finish in 46.22.

Next in, Donald and 11-year-old Colette seemed almost tighter past the bank, the strong, scopey mare full of gallop as her stride ate up the ground. Donald rode his heart out as he was roared over the last, crossing the line on 46.12.

Last to go, Tim and his ground-covering 12-year-old superstar were foot-perfect and for a fraction of a second the result hung in the balance, but with just a slight check before the last, they finished so close to, but a fraction behind Ben on 46.26.

Donald said the British-bred Cornet Obolensky mare’s natural speed – she looked as if she might be the one to beat even in the first round as she flew round on perfect form and with a smile on her face – is backed up by her heart.

“She’s such a trier,” he said. “More often than not, I make a mess of it, and she tries her heart out. I just thought ‘It’s the King George – I’ve got to go for it.”

Donald added that the mare is not only British-produced, she is “Yorkshire-produced, which is pretty cool”.

“Laura Robinson had produced her since she was three and I got her about three years ago,” he said. “She’s amazing; unbelievable, sharp and very special. All she wants to do is her best and she’s got the biggest heart.”

Ben, who had to ride this evening before his departure for the Paris Olympics tomorrow, joked that he had knocked the last fence down while leading his son in his last round of under-10s’ cross-pole jumping, and “I was probably thinking about that to the last jump, which is maybe why I was slower!”

“This was [Enjeu De Grisien’s] first grand prix this time last year but his inexperience showed a bit then,” he said. “I did everything I could today and beat the ones before me but it was always going to be down to these guys to take the risks; congratulations to them for doing an amazing job.”

Tim said that had he been offered third place in the King George this morning “I’d have taken that!”

“It was close,” he said. “I was thinking that instead of going straight at the jump, I should have come out a bit but the horse jumped amazing and hopefully we’ll have another chance next year.

“This whole week has been an amazing experience; winning the Nations Cup again, then being involved in these kind of classes is great. The footing was immaculate today, which is maybe why there were a few more clears than expected; these facilities are what make amazing sport.”

Donald did have one slightly unplanned moment after the finish; so overcome with the moment was he, as he hugged his star mare, and looked back again to check the scoreboard, he looked up too late to avoid jumping one of the first-round fences. This is a horse who loves her job.

“I couldn’t see where I was going!” he said. “I was a bit overwhelmed, and had a slight loss of direction. She absolutely loves it; she’s very special.”

Hickstead director Edward Bunn thanked all those who had made the week “probably the best Royal International Horse Show ever”.

“What an afternoon – what a week,” he said, thanking Agria and all the other sponsors who had supported the event.

And he added: “Congratulations, Donald, and if you don’t put your bank details on the entry system, we can’t pay you!”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Olympic Games, the Royal International Horse Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Ben Maher took the prestigious Alianz Prize competition in Aachen this weekend (6 July) with a 15-year-old who is a “full dressage horse”.

Ben and Exit Remo, whom he owns with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright, triumphed by half a second over Germany’s Richard Vogel (Cydello), in a masterclass of controlled speed.

Ben also won the opening round of the Sparkassen Youngsters Cup, and was just pipped by Richard on Levi Noesar in the final, on seven-year-old Corlander, who at seven has already come second in a 1.50m national grand prix in the US.

“My horses have been on good form this week,” said Ben. “Everybody is jumping well; I’ve got my owners and my family here and have been trying to do my best to get a win on the board but every class is difficult to win here.”

Ben was especially pleased to land a win with Exit Remo. whom he has been riding since September 2022.

“He’s sometimes a bit in the shadow of my other horses, but this is a big win for him,” he said. “I’m very happy for him; he’s an amazing horse and it’s nice for him to get some limelight.”

Exit Remo boats breeding more commonly seen within the white boards; he is by the dressage stallion San Remo and out of a mare by Ferro, the grandsire of Valegro and Uthopia.

“He’s a full dressage horse, or so I’ve been told!” said Ben. “I’m not sure of his original history, whether he was, and switched to jumping, but he’s a good mover. I’m not sure if we went to the other side of the street, we’d be winning but it makes him a bit more of a character; he’s got high head carriage and you can see similarities.”

“Every time you ride into the ring in Aachen for a class like this, it just as important as riding into a grand prix anywhere else,” he added. “For me, my owners, my family, so it was fantastic.”

Ben is also very positive about the future of Corlander, owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright, whom has been riding since November.

“He is a very talented, balanced horse; he doesn’t have to jump too much,” he said. “He has a huge range with his scope and stride. Hopefully, we have found the next star. I hope we can live up to that.”

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At the Paris Olympics next month, the reigning gold medallist Ben Maher will represent Great Britain with a relatively new ride for the top level, Point Break.

The 10-year-old Action-Breaker x Balou Du Rouet stallion was bred in Sweden by Nya Appelvikens Ridskola and produced in his early days by Anders Lagergreen.

Ben took the reins on the supremely exciting youngster in 2021 after his supporters Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright – also the owners of his Tokyo Olympic gold medal-winning partner Explosion W – stepped in to buy him.

Hertfordshire-based Ben has produced “Bodhi” – named after Patrick Swayze’s character in the 1991 film Point Break – to the top level and for the past four years he’s been the superstar-in-waiting that everyone’s been talking about.

With an enviable string of top horses in his stable at the moment, it speaks volumes that Ben has chosen this rising star 10-year-old as his partner when the Olympic showjumping kicks off in Versailles on 1 August.

Ben Maher and Point Break: “That bond is very important”

“I felt the pressure going into Tokyo because Explosion was at the time probably the highest rated horse so I really felt I didn’t want to let him down,” Ben explains. “It was my job to give Explosion the best shot and fortunately everything went perfectly. But it doesn’t always work out like that in our sport.

“It’s completely different in Paris – I have a different horse, a younger horse, who is very talented and he has all of the ability, but I will have to hold his hand a bit more than Explosion because he’s just lacking a bit of experience. But that doesn’t mean I have less expectations.

“That bond with your horse is very important. We’ve had Point Break since he was six years old and he’s now 10, so four years. We’ve spent a lot of time, done a lot of travel, a lot of fitness work, competition ring time – it takes a lot to get these horses to this kind of level.”

Has Point Break jumped at any previous championships?

The Olympic Games in Paris will be Point Break’s championship debut, but the world number two Ben Maher, who made his Olympic debut in 2008 and has competed at every Games since, arrives in Paris as the defending Olympic champion and a winner of five further championship medals.

Ben and Point Break, who is looked after by groom Derren Lake, made their team debut in the Longines League of Nations in Ocala this year and jumped double clear in Rotterdam last month where the British team finished third, setting the pair up for Olympic selection for Team GB in Paris.

“It’s nice to get selection done,” said Ben. “I’m looking forward to focusing on my horse and preparing him to be peaking at the right time.

“When you go to your first Olympics you don’t know what to expect, you’re young and naive and sometimes that can work in your favour – you can just go for it without any expectations. Then you go through the phase of knowing what’s coming and what pressures that brings with it.

“But I feel like I’ve come full circle now, I’ve been through the ups and downs, and we had a very fortunate time there in Tokyo. So I have all the experience now and I can use that to my advantage.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The British Olympic showjumping team for Paris 2024 has been announced today (Wednesday, 26 June).

The four combinations selected to represent Great Britain are:

• Ben Maher with Point Break, owned by rider, Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright (groom: Derren Lake)
• Harry Charles with Romeo 88, owned by rider, Ann Thompson (groom: Georgia Ellwood)
• Joe Stockdale with Cacharel, owned by Laura Stockdale and Joy Cocklin (groom: Charlotte Attwell)
• Scott Brash with Hello Jefferson, owned by Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham (groom: David Honnet)

Meet the British Olympic showjumping team

This will be a remarkable fifth Olympic appearance for Ben Maher, 41, who is the reigning Olympic champion after winning gold in Tokyo with Explosion W. He was also part of Great Britain’s London 2012 gold medal-winning team. He brings the rising star of the sport, 10-year-old stallion Point Break.

Scott Brash, 38, was also part of the London 2012 team gold medallists and he brings championship stalwart Hello Jefferson, at 15 the joint-oldest alongside Romeo 88 and one of the most experienced horse on the team.

Harry Charles, who turns 25 before he heads to Paris, made his Olympic debut in Tokyo and was part of Great Britain’s bronze medal-winning team at the 2022 world championships and he brings the same horse, 15-year-old Romeo 88, to Paris. Harry’s father Peter Charles won gold alongside Ben Maher at the London Olympics 12 years ago.

A few months younger than Harry, 24-year-old Joe Stockdale is another British showjumping Olympic team rider to be following in the footsteps of his Olympian father, the late Tim Stockdale. Joe has soared to the top tier of the sport since swapping his cricket bat for showjumping a few years ago and Cacharel’s fantastic potential was recognised by his father, who bought and produced her through her early days, with Joe now joining his regular team-mates Ben and Harry on the greatest stage of all.

What a story, what a team.

“Here’s to achieving dreams”

Team GB chef de mission, Mark England said: “A huge congratulations to all the athletes, grooms, and horse owners named today as we select the three squads of equestrian riders that will travel to Paris to compete for Team GB.

“There is an incredible wealth of experience across all three disciplines, with some athletes set to compete at their fourth, fifth and seventh Olympic Games this summer, which will undoubtedly stand them in good stead in Paris. I look forward to watching them compete at the historic Palace of Versailles in a month’s time.”

Equestrian team leader Helen Nicholls added: “I’m exceptionally proud of the 12 athlete combinations and their connections who will travel to Paris across the three disciplines of equestrian. We have an exciting balance of experience, talent and potential, and we head to the Games in a strong position, and with medal ambitions. The hours of preparation, enormous sacrifice and total dedication will now be put to the ultimate test. The teams behind the athletes – both equine and human – have left no stone unturned in their quest to support them to their very best performances.

“The Olympic Games give us the opportunity to showcase our amazing sports and the unique bond between horse and rider to a new legion of supporters as well as give the equestrian community the chance to be part of Team GB and their family of sports. Here’s to making lifelong memories, achieving dreams and hopefully medal celebrations.”

The Olympic showjumping competition starts on Thursday 1 August with the team jumping qualifier. The team medals are decided the following day, Friday 2 August. The individual qualifier takes place on Monday 4 August with the individual final on Tuesday 5 August.

Sweden are the reigning Olympic team champions and Great Britain has won individual gold at the past two Olympics, first by Nick Skelton and Big Star in 2016, then Ben Maher and Explosion W in Tokyo.

You can follow all the Olympic showjumping build-up to Paris 2024 and keep up t0 date with all the Olympic news with Horse & Hound.

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

One senior championship debutant and five team regulars have been included on the list of British showjumping Olympic entries for the 2024 Paris Games.

British Equestrian and the British Showjumping selectors have today (24 May) confirmed the 12 combinations – six riders and 12 horses – whose names will be submitted to the FEI. The final squad will be confirmed next month.

This would be a first senior championship for Robert Whitaker, and a first Olympics for Joe Stockdale, who represented Britain with Equine America Cacharel at the 2021 Europeans and 2022 World Championships, and Tim Gredley, who jumped Medoc De Toxandria at last year’s Europeans, and Omelli at the 2006 World Equestrian Games. Olympic champion Ben Maher, Scott Brash and Harry Charles all represented Britain in Tokyo, and Scott and Ben were on the team that won gold at London 2012.

British showjumping Olympic entries:

Scott Brash with 15-year-old Hello Jefferson (pictured)

Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham

Breeder: Bernard Mols

Breeding: by Cooper Van De Heffinck, out of a mare by Irco Mena

Scott Brash with 10-year-old Hello Valentino

Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham

Breeder: Tina Petersson-Lind

Breeding: by Diamantino, out of a mare by Careful 28

Harry Charles with 12-year-old Aralyn Blue

Owners: Ann Thompson and Harry’s father Peter

Breeder: Franjo Udovc

Breeding: by Chacco-Blue, out of a mare by Ludwig AS

Harry Charles with 15-year-old Romeo 88

Owners: Ann Thompson and Harry’s father Peter

Breeder: Picobello Horses

Breeding: by Contact Van De Heffink, out of a mare by Orlando

Harry Charles with 11-year-old Sherlock

Owners: Stall Zet and Harry’s father Peter

Breeder: Gustaaf Quintelier

Breeding: by Bisquet Balou C, out of a mare by Malito De Reve

Tim Gredley with 11-year-old Imperial HBF

Owners: Tim’s father William and wife Rachel, and Unex Competition Yard

Breeder: HBF Stud

Breeding: by Glasgow-W VH Merelsnest, out of a mare by Original VDL

Tim Gredley with 12-year-old Medoc De Toxandria

Owners: Tim’s father William and wife Rachel, and Unex Competition Yard

Breeder: Werner Dierckx

Breeding: by Der Senaat III, out of a mare by Kelvin De Sainte Hermelle

Ben Maher with 11-year-old Dallas Vegas Batilly

Owners: Rider, Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright

Breeder: Jean Claude Viollet

Breeding: by Cap Kennedy, out of a mare by L’Arc De Triomphe

Ben Maher with 10-year-old Enjeu De Grisien

Owners: Rider, Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright

Breeder: SCEA Elevage de Grisien

Breeding: by Toulon, out of a mare by Andiamo

Ben Maher with 10-year-old Point Break

Owners: Rider, Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright

Breeder: Nya Äppelvikens Ridskola AB

Breeding: by Action-Breaker, out of a mare by Baloubet Du Rouet

Joseph Stockdale with 13-year-old Equine America Cacharel

Owners: Joy Cocklin and Joe’s mother Laura

Breeder: Bohm Helmut

Breeding: by Cachas, out of a mare by Quinar

Robert Whitaker with 11-year-old Vermento

Owners: Stephen and Caroline Blatchford

Breeders: Robert’s parents John and Clare Whitaker

Breeding: by Argento, out of a mare by Skippy 12

The grooms’ names have not been confirmed but will be included in the final squad announcement.

Selection decisions are subject to riders’ and horses’ maintaining fitness and performance, and this list may be amended at any point up to 25 June. The selected squad of four combinations to travel to Paris, plus reserves, will be announced in late June.

Nominated entries for dressage combinations will be announced in the coming weeks; nominated entries for the para dressage squad for the Paralympic Games in Paris will be published in June.

You might also be interested in:

Graham Fletcher: ‘Olympic selection will be very difficult’

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Hugely exciting eight-year-old stallion Mecoblue PS (Nicole Lockhead Anderson) posted a coming-of-age victory in Royal Windsor Horse Show’s LeMieux national 1.40m on the opening day of showjumping.

In a competitive 47-starter single-phase competition held in Windsor’s Castle Arena, Nicole and the striking son of Messenger blitzed a high-octane time set by Ronnie Jones with his prolific winner Kaleche, a daring stride out to the final oxer helping to put them nearly 1sec into an unassailable lead.

“He’s amazing and just gets better and better,” said Nicole. “He’s never been in an environment like this and he seemed to cope with it really well. He jumped super. I didn’t see Ronnie Jones’s round but I knew he’d be fast and I just trusted Mecoblue and he delivered.

“He has a massive stride and he’s really, really careful and luckily he trusted me to pick up at the final fence because we were quite a long way off!” she added.

“He’s a really good horse and I’m so lucky to ride him. Tom and Jess Williams from TW Stables give me some amazing opportunities.

Mecoblue: stepping up impressively

“Mecoblue stepped up in Spain to jump a few bigger classes,” explained Nicole. “He’s actually quite green, but he keeps stepping up and he finds jumping big fences very very easy.

“I think he’s definitely one for the top of the sport. He gives you the feeling he could be here at Royal Windsor in the five-star next year as a nine-year-old. I have very high hopes for this horse. He’s always been very talented, he’s a bit special, he’s unique in himself, I think all the good ones are.

“He’s a cheeky monkey, I think he knows he’s good.”

Tom Williams bought Mecoblue PS, who is out of a Chacco-Blue mare, at a Schockemohle online auction as an unbroken four-year-old.

“He looked a really scopey, careful jumper but the plan was always to keep him a bit long term,” said Tom. “He was a bit slow at the start but he’s really got going this past year and he’s competitive now, jumping a few 1.50ms.”

Mecoblue PS contested the seven-year-old WBFSH world breeding championships last year and has posted plenty of eye-catching results along a slow and steady production process, which Tom says has been the making of him.

“The jumps can’t get too big for him, he’s a really nice horse,” he said.

Nicole Lockhead Anderson: “We’re very lucky in Britain to have a show like Royal Windsor”

Nicole was thrilled to post a win on day one of Royal Windsor, a show she’s enjoyed plenty of success at in the past.

“It’s great to be here at Royal Windsor, it’s such an amazing show, so to win here makes it even more special,” she said. “We’re very lucky in Britain to have a show like Royal Windsor.”

Taking third behind Nicole and runners-up Ronnie Jones and Kaleche was Lottie Tutt riding Billy Olga, with both Ben Maher and Joe Stockdale catching the eye with their rising star eight-year-olds Nighthawk and Laska JDV respectively, to finish in the top 10.

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

With the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final in the Saudi capital of Riyadh fast-approaching (16-20 April), the preparations are currently in full swing for 35 of the world’s leading riders from 19 nations with 42 horses between them. So who’s who among this year’s star-studded field of World Cup Final showjumping contenders bidding for a place in history?

Remarkably, the last British rider to claim the World Cup crown was Nick Skelton in 1995 with Dollar Girl. The three contenders flying the union flag hoping to break that duck are Ben Maher, Scott Brash – both of whom qualified from the Western European League – and US-based British team rider Jessica Mendoza, who gained points from the North American League. Ben will be in action on his top mare Dallas Vegas Batilly while Scott lines up with Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham’s super Swedish-bred grey Hello Valentino.

Meanwhile Jessica, who turns 26 just ahead of her trip to Riyadh, will be making her World Cup Final debut. She brings 12-year-old gelding I-Cap CL Z, who she has produced right up through the grades and with whom she represented Great Britain at the recent Longines League Of Nations at Ocala, Florida, alongside Ben.

Defending champions hoping to continue the World Cup dream

The defending champions Henrik von Eckermann and the brilliant King Edward will be back in a bid to retain their World Cup crown. After lifting the trophy in Omaha, USA, last year, the Swedish world number one said: “It was always a big, big goal and a dream for me to have my name on that trophy. This is very special.”

Henrik will be joined by team-mate Peder Fredricson with his 2021 European bronze medal-winning 18-year-old Catch Me Not S, with whom he also finished third in the 2019 World Cup Final.

Former World Cup Final winners Martin Fuchs (Commissar Pezi) and Steve Guerdat (Is-Minka) will represent Switzerland. This will be the latter’s 15th World Cup Final and the 2012 Olympic champion will be bidding for a record fourth victory again this year.

Among the other A-list names in action are another World Cup three-time title-holder, Marcus Ehning for Germany, with a relatively new ride, the 11-year-old Coolio 42, plus Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet on 14-year-old gelding Ace Of Hearts, Julien Epaillard who will be one of the favourites on Dubai Du Cedre, with Kent Farrington lining up for USA. Kent is one of a handful of riders bringing two horses, the 10-year-old rising stars Greya and Toulayna.

World Cup Final showjumping debutant carries the Irish flag

Richard Howley was the highest ranked Irish rider in the Western European League, winning the opening two qualifiers of the series, and he will be Ireland’s sole representative as he makes his debut at the World Cup Final riding 13-year-old Equine America Consulent De Prelet Z, who he co-owns with Sarah Borthwick and his and his wife Morgan Kent’s HK Horses.

“He’s so clever and he’s so smart, so it makes my job easier because he’s so talented,” says Richard of the gelding. “I don’t think he’s even fully found himself yet – I still think he has more to give. So we’re just trying to find a bit of middle ground of consistency and trust in the partnership. I think the world of him, and my owner Sarah Borthwick and myself think this horse could give everything. But we’re just trying to get the best out of him.”

The Arab League is represented by five athletes, with three riders from the host nation Saudi Arabia qualifying with strong performances in the Middle Eastern sub-league. Seasoned World Cup veteran and Olympic medallist Ramzy Al Duhami brings Addressee and Untouchable 32, while 25-year-old Khaled Almobty rides Jaguar King WD and the former Ellen Whitaker ride Spacecake.

Olympic bronze medallist Abdullah AlSharbatly rides 16-year-old Alamo, with whom Steve Guerdat won the 2019 World Cup Final and who later went to Spanish rider Sergio Alvarez Moya before Abdullah took the reins at the end of 2022. The pair have gone on to achieve five-star success, but he also brings 13-year-old Fiumicino Van De Kalevallei, who came from Dutch rider Jur Vrieling last year.

World Cup Final attracts talented crop of young showjumpers

Among the crop of young talents stepping out on the global stage for this year’s World Cup Final showjumping contest are 22-year-old French rider Jeanne Sadran (Dexter De Kerglenn), who enjoyed a successful career on ponies.

Canada’s Mario Deslauriers holds the record as the youngest World Cup winner at the age of 19 in 1984, and the youngest riders in Riyadh later this month will be US teenager Skylar Wireman on Tornado and Egyptian showjumper Zain Shady Samir with London Eye. Both riders are just 19 years old.

Skylar has been riding since a young child, hitting the headlines in 2020 when she won the USEF Showjumping Talent Search Final. Swedish-bred Tornado was sent to her as a sales horse but she bought him with the help of some family friends. Skylar is trained by her mother and 2004 Olympic team gold medallist Peter Wylde, and although she doesn’t normally have a groom – preferring to do everything for her horses herself – she will be supported in Riyadh by groom Alicia Thompson.

Another youngster is Egypt’s 22-year-old Abdelrahman Shousha who brings the 14-year-old Quincy 230.

From Balcormo Stud in Scotland to the World Cup Final

British showjumping fans will recognise the lovely gelding How Easy (by Talan, out of the Quite Easy mare Come Easy), who was bred and produced at Balcormo in Scotland by Sandra Low Mitchell. He went on to compete with Julie Andrews and Robert Murphy, but now competes under the Czechia flag with Sara Vingralkova, 21, a consistent performer at junior and young rider European Championships. The young rider also takes the 14-year-old Belgian-bred gelding Kas-Sini DC.

Sandra’s 91-year-old mother Jacky had originally picked out How Easy’s sire Talan in a catalogue as a three-year-old and has hit the jackpot using him with broodmare Come Easy. Both Sandra and Jacky will be glued to the livestream as they continue to follow How Easy’s progress in Riyadh.

“Mum’s had the thrill of following him the whole way through, we’re so proud,” says Sandra. “They’ll be the babies of the class, but I love the way Sara rides him –How Easy has landed on his feet with her.”

Sandra’s late father Dugald bought How Easy’s grandam in-foal along with another mare at a local auction and her offspring, Come Easy, has produced a string of quality youngsters, including How Easy’s full-sister Mytee Easy LM, currently jumping with Molly Andrews and Julie Andrews.

“How Easy did two shows as a four-year-old and won the four-year-old sport horse at the Highland Show, then we just hacked him about when he was five and let him grow,” explains Sandra. “I registered him when he was six and he immediately won a British novice, but this was just before my hip operation and this horse was too beautiful and sensitive for me to ride at the time – it broke my heart as he was so lovely, but I knew I wasn’t the right person to ride him.

“I kept a share in him but Julie Andrews did the next steps, then Rob Murphy took him to the next level before Sara bought him. He was always beautiful and they all live up to their Easy names.”

History in the making at the World Cup Final?

For Japan, the sole representative Shinichiro Sugiyama rides the aptly named Rising Sun, while from the Eurasian League, Nurjan Tuyakbaev hopes to become the first rider from Uzbekistan to win the World Cup crown. Angelos Touloupis of Greece (Lord Mexx) is among the entries from the Central European League.

This is the first time the World Cup Final showjumping has been held in Saudi Arabia, with a record-breaking 2.6million euros in prize money on offer at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.

The first jumping competition begins on 17 April, continuing with round two the following day, with the winner decided on Saturday 20 April. You can keep up to date with all the action with H&H.

You may also like to read…

‘I sold some calves and bought a pony – this is the dream’: meet a 51-year-old World Cup Final debutant

‘Beyond my wildest dreams’: British university student lines up alongside Harry Charles and Ben Maher for World Cup debut

‘As good sport as you’ll see anywhere’: British one-two in spectacular London World Cup

World number one wins World Cup title as British riders suffer disappointment

‘I owe everything to Legacy’: World Cup podium finishers fight back to win London grand prix

‘One of the greatest horses to ever live’: legendary showjumper dies aged 30

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

In this week’s international showjumping news round-up, there is plenty to celebrate for a unique team of Irish horses in the Nations Cup at Wellington International’s Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) – something team manager Michael Blake said he’d never seen “in 100 Nations Cups”.

A young British rider also posts a landmark first five-star victory in Doha, Qatar, and a highly anticipated rising British equine star achieves a watershed coming-of-age performance.

Read on for a round-up of the highlights of this week’s international showjumping news and results.

Showjumping news: “This team is a little unusual”

Ireland fielded a mix of Olympic veterans and team debutant horses for the $150,000 CSIO4* Nations Cup during week eight of WEF, which proved to be a winning formula as they topped a cracking contest between the 10 teams.

Pathfinder Darragh Kenny (Eddy Blue), David O’Brien (El Balou OLD), Shane Sweetnam (RR Combella) and Cian O’Connor with Fancy de Kergane topped the leaderboard ahead of Canada and the USA. Great Britain’s squad of Jessica Mendoza (I-Cap CL Z), Tim Gredley (Imperial HBF), Sameh El Dahan (Oscar-A) and Ben Maher (Ginger-Blue) finished in fourth.

“This feels amazing – I’m so lucky that my parents had their flights organised, all my students, my clients and my sponsors are here, we’ve had a great night,” said Irish squad debutant David, who jumped clear in round one, just adding two time-faults in the second leg for owners Chansonette and Leap Year Farms.

“It was a very strong team, I was thinking to myself how many times have the three of them [Shane, Cian and Darragh] competed for Ireland compared with some other teams. It’s really special for me to be sitting up here with three Olympians. They are so experienced.

“I came in on a horse who was willing to fight for me and who doesn’t want to knock any poles down. The horse has a long history and I got him because he was a difficult child, and he needed a continuing program. To me, he’s my number one, so every day we’re out for a long time and it’s a process to keep him focused. But results-wise, I’m very happy with him. He’s probably been the reason I was able to go out on my own and have a business.

“I’m delighted it paid off and everything came together. It’s a great atmosphere, when you come in the ring everything is pumped up. My heart was pumping, the horse’s heart was pumping. There was a big cheer when we cleared the last fence.”

Darragh Kenny jumped for clear and four on Kerry Anne LLC’s Eddy Blue.

“I love to ride for Ireland. It’s one of my favorite things, second to winning, of course,” he said. “But winning with an Irish team, that’s even better.

“Eddy Blue has never done two rounds like that before, but he seemed to step up to the occasion very well.”

Anchorman Cian O’Connor on Coolmore Showjumping’s Fancy De Kergane jumped clear in round one but was able to sit out round two, with team victory already in the bag.

“We saw a bit of everything in the course tonight,” said Cian. “Obviously, it plays a part with one round in the daytime then one at night. Both rounds were light, delicate and the plank was difficult to judge.

“This horse is only nine, so he’s just stepping up to this level. There aren’t many nine-year-olds able to do this, so I’m very happy with him. There’s something very special about the night classes here. So many people were here tonight and it’s one that everyone wants to win.”

Shane Sweetnam and the mare RR Combella jumped for four faults in each round.

“That’s the purpose of giving her a chance in this – you really do learn a lot,” he revealed. “She showed her character and how good a horse she is. I think the rider could have done better, but I was very happy with her, especially at the end to go and give a solid round to make sure that we did win.”

Irish chef d’equipe Michael Blake said: “This team is a little unusual. In 100 and something Nations Cups that I’ve been involved in, I’ve never had a full team where none of the horses ever jumped a Nations Cup before. That shows true depth in that we could put out a team of new horses, very good horses, but still new horses.

“On paper we didn’t look like the favourites, but I knew we’d be hard to beat. Canada looked strong, the US looked very strong, but we had a lot of experience, and we know how to dig deep.

“We love to come here because the atmosphere is amazing. To see a full house, that’s what lifts you, it’s very special.”

• WEF Nations Cup results

“A big day in the office” for 20-year-old Olli Fletcher

British rising star Olli Fletcher described winning his first five-star class, at the LGCT of Doha, Qatar, as “a big day in the office” and he couldn’t have been happier with Alison Walton’s 12-year-old BP Pocahontas after winning the opening tw0-phase.

“It was an amazing show – the stadium and the arena are beyond anything I’d ever jumped in, so I’m happy the horses enjoyed it with some good results,” Olli told H&H. “Winning my first five-star is definitely a memory that won’t be forgotten, that’s for sure. It was very special.

“My mum and owners Alison and John Walton had come from South Africa to watch, which was lovely because they’ve been instrumental in my career,” added Olli, who also made his debut for GCL team Monaco Aces on Hello William. “Both the horse and I learnt a lot and we’re looking forward to the season ahead.”

Another five-star winner at the show was Ireland’s Denis Lynch with the mighty stallion Vistogrand.

• LGCT Doha results

Holly Smith’s 14-year-old stallion makes sensational comeback

Making a welcome return to the showjumping news headlines this week was Holly Smith’s 14-year-old stallion Fruselli, who jumped to a victory double after a year on the sidelines.

The flying duo landed the ClipMyHorse.TV grand prix on the CSI2* Andalucia Sunshine Tour in Spain, having topped the Vejer Trophy speed class on Thursday, where she beat Tabitha Kyle on last week’s six-bar winner Desterly. Holly described it as “a bit of an emotional” result after “a long road back from injury” for the stunning chestnut.

Guy Williams was among the other British winners this week on the tour, landing the 1.45m ranking class on 12-year-old stallion Ernie Of Greenhill Z.

• Andalucia Sunshine Tour results

Showjumping news: an emotional victory as LGCT season kicks off

The first Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) crown of the new season was earned by Belgium’s Abdel Saïd riding Bonne Amie in the €375,000 grand prix of Doha, Qatar, after a 10-way jump-off. The winning duo edged out Ireland’s LGCT grand prix first-timer Harry Allen on Calculatus by less than a quarter of a second, with Marcus Ehning third on relatively new ride Coolio 42.

“Bonne Amie is incredible, but she’s a big, sensitive lady and I struggled a little in the jump-offs last year,” said Abdel after securing his first LGCT grand prix victory. “I would maybe over-ride her a little, or not ride with enough feeling. But today it felt as though she matured and grew with some small changes and I’m thrilled it all came together. She truly deserves this win.”

Abdel has qualified for the new-look LGCT Super Grand Prix at the GC Playoffs in Riyadh this year.

• LGCT grand prix of Doha results

Tom Wachman and 15-year-old mare soar to glory

Next in this week’s showjumping news round-up is young Irish rider Tom Wachman, who teamed up with his European team gold and individual silver-winning 15-year-old mare Cathalina S (Salt N Pepa S x Sandro) to win a 1.45m speed class at WEF.

“I think I was the only one in the class to do five strides to the double of verticals,” said the 19-year-old. “Cathalina has a huge stride and that’s one of the big things for her, how she can be very quick in the speed classes. I think that’s where I probably won. She’s super.”

• WEF results

A winning streak for Ben Maher and a coming-of-age performance

And finally in this week’s international showjumping news round-up, the reigning Olympic champion Ben Maher celebrated a coming-of-age performance from rising star Point Break in the $200,000 CSIO4* grand prix at WEF, Florida.

The 10-year-old Swedish warmblood Action-Breaker x Balou Du Rouet stallion, owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright, produced the only double clear after a five-way jump-off.

“This is probably the biggest grand prix he’s won,” said Ben, who acquired the stallion as a six-year-old. “He’s just an incredible horse. He started at WEF in the seven-year-old jumpers. It wasn’t so long ago he was spooking off every golf cart and we were in the back arenas; I kept switching arenas trying to get the groundwork in. But he was always a very talented horse and he’s progressed very nicely.

“He’s a stallion and he’s had quite a few very nice foals now, but he’s like a pet when you’re not on him. But his athleticism is what separates him from the other horses. The way he can bend his body and move his shoulder allows my job to become much easier. I can ride at the jumps and trust that he can do the job for me.”

Earlier in the week, Ben had triumphed with Jane Clark’s 13-year-old mare Ginger-Blue in the WEF Challenge Cup, who also made her Nations Cup debut with Ben this week.

“It’s always special to win any FEI competition, especially here in Wellington; there’s a lot of good horse and rider combinations any week,” said Ben. “But there’s a lot of people that fly in especially for this week, so to start it like this is a confidence boost.

“There’s strength and depth in my team, both horses and people. It’s a great time to be able to ride right now,” added Ben, whose groom Kirsty Bond won the groom’s award in the grand prix.

• WEF results

You might also be interested in….

John Whitaker’s new horse goes viral, a teenager clears 1.85m and a warm-up fall doesn’t stop the world number one

Top-class horses, kisses and sugar lumps – behind the scenes at an elite showjumping yard

‘A shared vision’: British owner secures potential Olympic horses for top Irish rider

‘This is what it’s all about’: a little mare with a big heart, driving rain and a profitable horse-buying trip

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Never has one rider’s new horse got people talking as much as John Whitaker’s potential Olympic hope Arqana De Riverland and the pair’s sublime clear round at CHI Al Shaqab in Doha at the weekend was shared all over social media as they continue to step up to the bigger classes.

Plus, we saw a 16-year-old rider clearing 1.85m to win her first CSI4* and a 24-year-old beating two Olympic legends in a World Cup qualifier, where the world number one rider bounced back from a warm-up fall to finish second. Read on for all this week’s showjumping news and results.

Showjumping news: “She’s going to be really competitive” says John Whitaker

A video of John Whitaker jumping clear on new ride Arqana De Riverland – touted as a prospect to take the 68-year-old to the Paris Olympics – was circulating far and wide on social media this week, such is the global love for our British showjumping legend. Their clear round at the CSI5* Al Shaqab in Doha was shared alongside hundreds of appreciation posts for John as they stepped up to 1.50m level at just their third show together, and he told H&H the mare was “jumping very well”.

“She’d been with her previous rider Juliette Faligot for seven years so she was a bit set in her ways, but she jumps brilliantly – just sometimes we don’t have that control yet and there’s been the odd misunderstanding, but I think we’re coming together more and more,” he said. “She’s really careful, she’s quick and I think she’s going to be really competitive.”

John also jumped into the placings with two masterful double clears on his Nations Cup hero Equine America Unick Du Francport at the show, including a fifth-placed finish behind winner Malin Baryard Johnsson (H&M Indiana) in the grand prix.

“He has had a rest and seems to have come back really well, we just did a couple of small shows in Belgium before we came out here and to get used to the mare too,” said John. “You walk the courses out here thinking ‘Oh this is big’, then everyone goes in and jumps clear. But he feels fantastic.”

Ireland’s Richard Howley was another rider making showjumping news by finishing in the ribbons, landing the 1.50m with nine-year-old multi-winner Zodiak Du Buisson Z.

“I am absolutely over the moon,” he said. “My horse is in great shape, he is really growing into this level so easily and week after week he is impressing me more. This gives me great belief for the future that my horse can win at grand prix level.”

Richard finished ahead of France’s Simon Delestre (Dexter Fontenis Z) and Mark McAuley in third on GRS Lady Amaro for Ireland.

The action continues at the same venue this coming week when the 2024 Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) season kicks off.

• CSI5* Al Shaqab results

Teenager clears 1.85m to beat her older rivals

The youngest rider in the 12-strong field contesting Saturday’s six-bar on the Andalucia Sunshine Tour in Spain, British teenager Tabitha Kyle, smashed the opposition, throwing both hands in the air as she celebrated clearing 1.85m to win her first ever CSI4* class.

Tabitha, 16, was riding Su and Gordon Hall’s 16-year-old mare Desterly at her first international show after recovering from a neck fracture sustained in a car accident which meant she missed the last few months of 2023, her last year on ponies.

• Andalucia Sunshine Tour results

Home-bred secures “unbelievable” World Cup glory for 24-year-old rider

Dutch showjumper Lars Kersten made showjumping news headlines as a surprise winner of the final leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup series of Western Europe in Gothenburg, Sweden, riding grey mare Hallilea. World number one Henrik von Eckermann bounced back from a collecting ring fall to claim the runner-up spot on King Edward, with fellow Swede Peder Fredricson third on 18-year-old Catch Me Not S after a seven-way jump-off.

The 24-year-old Dutchman, part of the Young Riders Academy, is trained by his father Pieter and was riding his father’s 12-year-old home-bred mare to beat two of the greatest Olympic riders in the world in a thrilling jump-off.

“That makes it even more special – I’ve been working with Hallilea all her life and she has been a big part of my career,” said Lars. “To grow together to this level and to win a World Cup in Gothenburg is unbelievable.

“The moment she turned five, I took her over and it’s special that we’ve done this journey together. We already had some nice placings, but almost nothing beats winning the World Cup here in Gothenburg – it feels a bit unreal!

“I’ve seen Henrik and Peder in so many jump-offs so I know they are capable of being faster than me,” he added. “To sit in front of these guys is not easy and most of the time I will be behind them, so today is a big, big day. But I think I was pretty fast and in the end it showed that it was not that easy to beat me, so I’m very, very pleased with my mare. She absolutely gave 100% today.”

Lars has also had training from his “idol growing up”, Marcus Ehning, and six-time Olympian Jos Lansink.

“I was told the Scandinavium Arena wasn’t an easy ring to ride in, but I found it quite comfortable,” he said.“Maybe it fits my riding, I’m maybe a bit of a light rider and I try to stay fluent throughout the turns, so actually maybe the [oval] shape of it suited me very well. And obviously the horse felt really great as well so it all came together.”

Henrik’s jump-off performance came only minutes after he slipped out of the saddle on landing over a warm-up fence on King Edward during the preceding rider’s round. Ever the professional, he put his unscheduled dismount behind him and his world championship-winning partner scorched round, but couldn’t quite catch the time set by the young winner.

“Maybe my horse jumped too well in the jump-off and he lost a bit of time,” Henrik said. “But this is a good way to lose.”

Peder Fredricson batted off questions about Paris this summer by saying, “Asking me about the Olympics in February is like asking how the weather will be in August! We are building up the horses but there is still a long way to go. It is for sure my main goal this year. I am giving all my horses in the stables a chance now and we will see in the next months how it is going.

“Lars is a great rider. It is nice to see the next generation doing so well.”

Among the top 18 riders who have qualified for the World Cup Final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in April are title-holder Henrik von Eckermann, who topped this year’s league, Steve Guerdat, Ireland’s Richard Howley and a quartet of British showjumpers; Robert Whitaker, Harry Charles, Scott Brash and Ben Maher.

• Gothenburg Horse Show results

Showjumping news: “Dreams really do come true”

British showjumper Claudia Moore proclaimed that “dreams really do come true” when winning her first CSI3* 1.50m grand prix in the final week of the Moura Spring Tour in Valencia, Spain, riding Hardesther. The only other double clear came from another Brit, Chloe Aston, riding the Arko III nine-year-old Akito Von Rocherath Z.

“’Hardy’ is my horse of a lifetime, I trust her and didn’t overpush her as she’s naturally fast,” said Claudia, one of a strong contingent of British winners at this week’s show.

• Moura Spring Tour results

There’s just no stopping Daniel Coyle, “I stared death in the face at the Liverpool”

Continuing a phenomenal winning streak, Irish rider Daniel Coyle made more showjumping news when he lifted the CSI3* $100,000 LeMieux grand prix at the World Equestrian Center, Ocala, Florida, this time riding Farrel, after a 15-way jump-off.

“On Farrel, you can turn on half a stride,” said Daniel of the 14-year-old KWPN gelding (Cardento 933 x Stakkato) owned by Ariel Grange.

“He’s an amazing horse to turn back to a vertical. He’s had a few years off but he’s very handy. Turning back so tight to the second-last jump, that’s all to do with the horse there. [Second-placed] Aaron Vale and I both took risks, but at the end it comes back to the horse and if you can nail it.

“I galloped to fence one and hoped everything came up good, I was really risky across the centre to the Liverpool – I couldn’t see the flags and I stared death in the face, but he pricked his ears and jumped it.

“The celebration in the end is the only part of the sport when we get to interact with the crowd,” added Daniel about his third win of this week; he also finished third behind Aaron Vale (Obi Wan) on another 14-year-old, Quintin. “It’s usually just the horse, the owners and the people, so when the audience comes out screaming and are having a great time, it makes it so special for us.”

Showjumping news: Vogel has the magic Touch again

Germany’s Richard Vogel, ranked 11 in the world, and United Touch S captured top spot in the $385,000 Lugano Diamonds CSI5* grand prix at Wellington International’s Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) after a four-way jump-off in which the quartet all produced double clears over Anthony D’Ambrosio’s tracks.

“I have been lucky enough to ride a lot of good horses in my life, but he’s outstanding,” said Richard. “When he leaves the ground, that power and scope is something very unique and I’m very happy to be in his saddle.”

Darragh Kenny had set the early standard on 17-year-old Holstein stallion VDL Cartello before the lead jumped first to US Olympic team gold medallist McLain Ward on 16-year-old Callas and Shane Sweetnam on James Kann Cruz, back from a break, settled for third.

“I was very lucky that I went behind all three of these guys, and I knew I had to risk it all,” said 26-year-old Richard, whose groom Felicia Wallin won the $500 grooms’ award presented by Double H Farm. “If I had a rail, I was fourth and if I was a slow clear, I was fourth so there was not so much to lose.”

• WEF results

Ben Maher is back at the top

And finally in this week’s international showjumping news round-up, world number two Ben Maher won the $116,000 Adequan WEF Challenge Cup round seven at WEF with Dallas Vegas Batilly, with less than a second separating the top three riders.

“I’m lucky with Tilly – she has a huge stride, so I was able to get going and make up some time,” said Ben, 41. “It was lucky for me that I stayed ahead today. It’s always difficult to win here, whether on Thursday or Saturday night. When you have riders like Kent Farrington and Richard Vogel coming behind you, it’s never over until it’s over.

“She’s been an incredible horse early in her career. She jumped great in the five-star a couple weeks ago and I felt she was on form, which is why we brought her back this week.

“My 18-month-old son Cooper can sit on her and she’s the sweetest horse ever. But when you’re on her, she has a lot of opinions. I have to be the passenger, not the pilot, and get her to do things by asking her, not telling her. We’ve come with a great relationship, and I want to bring out the best in her. We saw today that she’s a real fighter for me.”

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Success breeds success, according to the popular sporting hypothesis, and we see it in bucketloads in this week’s international showjumping news round-up.

From Daniel Coyle’s back-to-back World Cup wins with brilliant mare Legacy, to the input of two of Great Britain’s greatest showjumpers Nick Skelton and William Funnell in other riders’ success, there’s been plenty to celebrate in the world of showjumping. Read on for a round-up of this week’s international showjumping news and results.

Showjumping news: back-to-back World Cup success for Coyle and Legacy

Fresh from their World Cup success in Leipzig last weekend, Irish showjumper Daniel Coyle and Ariel Grange’s super 14-year-old mare Legacy triumphed again with another extraordinary performance in a World Cup thriller in Amsterdam. The duo sliced nearly 3sec off the leading time set by Dutch rider Willem Greve on Highway TN NOP to take top spot.

“I’ve been doing dry January, I do it every year, but Ariel Grange said ‘Go and have a few beers’,” Daniel said. “So I had three after last Sunday’s win and I think we might have a few more tonight!”

Daniel explained that commitment and determination have been the key to his success.

“My brother Jordan won everything on ponies and I didn’t win so much, or so it seemed!” he said. “In any sport I suppose you just get stuck in and get on with it or you get left behind and give up. Thankfully it went the right way for me in the end.

“It goes back to riding those ponies at home in Ireland where it’s very competitive. I rode with my brothers and everybody else, even the likes of Richard Howley, who now also has won a few World Cups. I was always chasing those guys. It’s good to see now I can have some revenge and I guess I also had some great horses in my career in the smaller divisions that have taught me how to do jump-offs. If being competitive in a jump-off is all I can give back to Legacy then I’m happy enough with that.”

Daniel has formed a unique partnership with Dolly, as Legacy is known at home, who has now earned a few weeks off in Florida before five-star League Of Nations duty.

“For years, we weren’t really on the same page,” he explained. “She’d jump one fence very high and the next fence I’d ask her to jump – like a plank or something delicate – she’d knock it down and I’d be very confused as to why. But I feel now we are very much on the same page; we have a real understanding.

“We have a huge year ahead with the World Cup Final and the Olympics – and for sure we’ll be looking at both with her – but we have to have a conversation about it all. The main thing is to get her to the Olympic Games like she is right now and try to win a medal! She’s in the prime of her life, she’s got better, she’s got older, and maybe so have I.”

Two qualifying rounds remain in the Western European League series, after which the top 18 riders in the standings will earn a ticket to the World Cup Final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in April.

Also enjoying a successful time in Amsterdam, British rider Matt Sampson landed a winning double of five-star speed classes with his London International winner MGH Candy Girl.

• Jumping Amsterdam results

At the other end of the scale…

While Daniel Coyle is racking up multiple World Cup successes, amateur Mexican rider Jose Alberto Martinez Vazquez produced a career first World Cup qualifier riding Quinley in Puebla, Mexico.

“Quinley means everything to me. I’ve never had a horse like him before,” he said of the Holsteiner gelding he’s produced for 11 years from a four-year-old and with whom he represented Mexico at the 2022 World Championships. “Going to the last fence, you’re always thinking, ‘Is this enough?’ I had a bit of a miscommunication, but Quinley still went over it. I’m thankful.”

• CSI4*-W Puebla results

William Funnell leads UAE to first Nations Cup success, Great Britain third

Weeks after taking the helm as the new UAE chef d’equipe, William Funnell led the squad to a debut Nations Cup success at the CSIO4* Sharjah. Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi on Enjoy De La Mure, Abdullah Mohd Al Marri (BBS McGregor, formerly with Jack Ryan), Ali Hamad Al Kirbi with Jarlin De Torres and Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi (Chacolu) didn’t hit a fence throughout two rounds, accumulating just two discarded time-faults to win on a zero score from Germany with five penalties on the card.

Great Britain finished third on 24 faults, represented by Joe Stockdale (Ebanking), Donald Whitaker on Millfield Colette, Skye Higgin riding Djordania Du Tillard and Jack Whitaker on Equine America Q Paravatti N, with Ireland finishing fifth.

British chef d’equipe Di Lampard said: “To finish on the podium was incredibly pleasing. We had two good results with young horses Ebanking and Djordania, which is encouraging for these partnerships for the future. We need to improve marginally as a team as we look forward to the first Longines League of Nations competition in Abu Dhabi. There was a slight lack of consistency, but we are looking at all the positives of yesterday.”

• CSIO4* Sharjah results

More showjumping news: home-bred Grey Goose provides just the tonic

In more international showjumping news, Australian showjumper Rowan Willis flew to top spot of the CSI2* $100,000 Lugano Diamonds 1.45m grand prix on the Split Rock Jumping Tour at the TerraNova Equestrian Center in USA riding his home-bred mare Wellington Grey Goose (Corlensky x Grandira).

“Wellington Grey Goose is a real tryer and she’s fast,” said Rowan. ““I’ve done Split Rock shows ever since I came to America, and Derek Braun always puts on great shows. It’s really good for the competitors, has good prize money, and they have a fantastic facility here in Sarasota.”

• CSI2* Split Rock Jumping Tour results

$215,000 grand prix goes to Foster

Canadian showjumper Tiffany Foster won the Winter Equestrian Festival NetJets CSI4* grand prix riding Battlecry, a 10-year-old by Vigo D’Arsouilles x Latano, whom she owns with Artisan Farms and Kent Farrington.

“I’m really happy to finally check this one off,” said Tiffany, who was also awarded as the week’s leading international rider while Battlecry’s groom Kaytlyn Brown earned a $500 prize. “My horse has a bit of a right drift – just like every horse, he goes one way or the other – so, I thought the jump-off was actually going to suit him.”

Luciana Lossio took second for Brazil on Lady Louise Jmen, while the Nick Skelton-trained French rider Nina Mallevaey took third on Cartier SR.

“Nick told me I could have gone faster to the last, but I’m so happy with my horse,” said Nina. “He’s really trying to do everything for me. I’m going to try to have many more podiums like this.”

Great Britain’s Ben Maher took fourth on Faltic HB and Irish showjumper Cian O’Connor slotted into fifth on Maurice for owner Pat Crean.

• WEF results

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now