Irish showjumper Conor Swail has paid tribute to former top-level mare Flower, stating he has “yet to meet another horse like her”.

The Belgian warmblood Bon Ami daughter, who Conor bought with Vanessa Mannix in 2017, has died in retirement aged 22.

“It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to this special mare,” said Conor.

“Those who have been following me for some time will definitely remember this lady.”

Flower was produced up the ranks to five-star by her owner, Finnish rider Nina Fagerstrom. The pair had placings in 1.50m classes at venues including Wellington, Florida, and Spruce Meadows, Canada.

Conor bought Flower in January 2017 and the pair hit the ground running. They were runners-up in their first CSI5* 1.50m in Wellington, Florida, in February, and that summer they won a CSIO4* 1.60m class and a World Cup leg, both at Thunderbird Park in Vancouver, Canada.

Conor described Flower as an “absolute war horse” with a “heart of gold”.

“[It was] her way or no way – someone I could always count on,” he said.

In 2021 Ireland’s Jenny Rankin took over the reins for Flower’s last two years of competition.

Jenny said she was “grateful to have had the privilege” of competing Flower in her final shows, winning Jenny’s first ranking classes.

“To play a small part in your story was an honour,” she said.

“Thank you to Conor and Vanessa for allowing this special mare to have played a part in my career.”

Conor Swail said Flower “left a huge stamp on me and everyone who knew her, with so many great memories”.

“After a successful show career, Flower enjoyed her retirement in the fields of Ireland where she had two beautiful foals and was still stealing hearts at the age of 22,” he said.

“I have yet to meet another horse like her. Thank you for always fighting for me, my friend,”

Nina added that Flower was “one of the most challenging but also rewarding” horses she had worked with and that she loved following her career with Conor.

“Amazing mare and one definitely to remember forever,” she said.

• 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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Count Me In, the grand prix horse who Irish showjumper Conor Swail describes as “the best I’ve ever ridden”, has retired from sport aged 18.

The Hannoverian gelding, known at home as “Crosby”, retires from the top level with 14 five-star victories and countless placings under his belt, from major shows including Spruce Meadows, London International, Dublin Horse Show, and Aachen.

“Crosby – a horse I will always hold close to my heart. The best horse I’ve ever ridden,” said Conor.

“It has been such a privilege and an honour to have been your jockey these past three-and-a-half years.”

Crosby, who is by Count Grannus and out of a Sherlock Holmes mare, started his international career with Beth Underhill in 2015. They won their first CSI5* 1.60m grand prix in Illinois, USA, in 2018, and continued to enjoy a successful partnership, before Conor took over the reins in July 2021.

Conor and Crosby got off to a brilliant start, winning on their first outing together. They went on to record multiple grand prix wins and top placings at major shows and various World Cup legs. In 2022 they were part of the team that won the Aga Khan Cup at the Dublin Horse Show, where they also finished runners-up in the grand prix.

“We’ve accomplished an extraordinary amount of success together and I wish you the very best retirement,” said Conor, adding that Crosby brought him to “the biggest stages that showjumping has to offer”.

“He jumped triple clear to help team Ireland win the Aga Khan, something I’ve dreamt about since I was a kid. We’ve had nine grand prix wins together and 56 podium finishes.”

Conor thanked everyone who has been involved in Crosby’s career, “keeping him in such good health, even at the age of 18”.

“I am very pleased to say that Crosby will be retiring in my home town of Darragh Cross at Mannon Farms,” he said.

“I can’t think of anyone who is more deserving of a happy and healthy retirement. I will see you soon my friend.”

• 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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What a bumper selection of showjumping news we have to bring you this week! From Harry Charles coming oh, so close to winning just about everything at the Stuttgart German Masters, to the dazzling spectacle of the Global Champions Playoffs in Prague, a World Cup jackpot in Las Vegas and an outstanding British Nations Cup success, we didn’t know where to look – it was a weekend packed full of epic sport.

Want to find out who won what and where? Then read on for this week’s round-up of international showjumping news and results.

Showjumping news: ‘One of the best shows of my career’

British showjumping star Harry Charles enjoyed a winning double, narrowly missing out on an outstanding four-timer, at the CSI5* Stuttgart German Masters. With the speedy Billabong Du Roumois, the 24-year-old finished second in the opening speed class, following up with a convincing 1.55m victory the next day. Later that night, he triumphed with Ann Thompson’s Aralyn Blue in the 1.55m Stuttgart German Master, sealing the week with a runner-up spot on Casquo Blue in Sunday’s Longines FEI World Cup qualifier behind Kevin Staut (Beau De Laubry Z).

“This has been one of the best shows of my career and it’s one of those weeks that doesn’t happen very often in this sport,” said Harry, who finished just 0.14sec slower than his French rival in the World Cup. “I didn’t quite think I could catch Kevin – Casquo isn’t the fastest horse – but when you have a crowd like this behind you, you give it everything and my horse gave it everything as well. It was so close, but it feels like a win anyway!

“It’s amazing what Casquo can do with his body, how athletic he is, and today he had a bit of speed in him as well,” added Harry, crediting the brilliant team around him for “letting me have weekends like this”.

“On Friday, to become the German Master was a pretty cool title. I would have loved to have won the World Cup, too, but maybe I’ll come back next year and try again!”

• Stuttgart German Masters results

A dazzling win for super Epaillard and a round of ‘pure joy’ for von Eckermann

Amid pyrotechnics, lights and big-stadium atmosphere at the Global Champions Playoffs in Prague, Czechia, Julien Epaillard was the star of the show in Saturday night’s €1.26m Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) Super Grand Prix, for which riders qualified at each of the season’s grands prix. Two technical rounds of jumping set by Uliano Vezzani resulted in no double clears so the flying Frenchman won with chestnut mare Dubai Du Cedre as the quickest four-faulter, just tapping out fence three in a nail-biting second round.

“I had my plan and I was disappointed with the fault,” said Julien. “I saw Henrik von Eckermann’s round on King Edward and my mare is very different – she has a smaller stride – so I couldn’t do the same plan as him. I still had a lot of delicate fences to jump and two good riders following me, so I felt the pressure.

“I don’t have all the comfort with her, she’s a bit special,” he said of the Baloubet Du Rouet x Diamant De Semilly mare. “But she has a lot of blood and she uses that to jump – sometimes with me, sometimes not!

“This is one of my biggest victories, so I’ll enjoy it.”

Former Super Grand Prix winner Henrik von Eckermann’s second-round clear with King Edward lifted them from seventh to second ahead of third-placed Max Kuhner (Up Too Jacco Blue), but the world number one was disappointed. But he described every round with his brilliant partner King Edward as “pure joy”.

“Every time I go in the ring with him, I try my best because we can only do so many shows,” he said. “So even if I’m second today, a round like that is pure joy, because of the feeling he gives me.”

There were no British riders in contention for this year’s Super Grand Prix, but Ireland’s Bertram Allen and Pacino Amiro soared up to fourth with a superb second-round clear. The top three grooms, Caroline Belouet, Louise Barraud, and Mariella Offner, were also awarded in the prize-giving.

Jodie Hall McAteer and her great mare Hardessa flew the British flag in Saturday’s 1.50m jump-off class, finishing second to Frank Schuttert (Isis), while Sophie Evans (Florida Van Maarle) won a CSI2* speed class.

• GC Playoffs results

Showjumping news: Nations Cup glory for Great Britain

In other showjumping news, British rider Mark Edwards continued his excellent run of overseas form by winning the CSI2* grand prix in the Villamoura Champions Tour, Portugal, with Royale Tale. The Welsh rider then became the hero of the Great Britain team when jumping a triple clear on Marlene Edwards’ Flying Tinker II, including a thrilling jump-off performance versus Belgium and USA, to take them to the top of the podium in Sunday’s CSIO3* Nations Cup.

Mark was joined on the podium by Olli Fletcher (Hello William), Adrian Whiteway on Chacco Volo and James Smith riding Tayvale Hunky Dory, and Mark credited “great team spirit all week”.

“I knew what was needed to win and Flying Tinker came out in the jump-off like the little superstar he is,” said Mark, who beat the Belgian challenge by nearly 2sec. “Today’s win makes it all the more special, jumping treble clear on a home-bred.”

• Villamoura Champions Tour results

One million less in prize money: ‘the pressure was immense’

The 2023 Global Champions League (GCL) season champions Riesenbeck International followed up with victory in Sunday’s €6.5m GCL Super Cup Final. They were represented in this epic season finale by GCL rider of the year, Christian Kukuk (Checker 47), Eoin McMahon (Mila) and Philipp Weishaupt (Zineday), the latter two securing crucial double clears for the squad. Valkenswaard United agonisingly took second for successive years, with a double clear from Marcus Ehning on Stargold, and just four faults apiece for Great Britain’s John Whitaker (Equine America Unick Du Francport) and Gilles Thomas (Luna Van Het Dennehof).

“One rail down and it was one million less in prize money – the pressure was immense,” said Philipp, the final rider in for Ludger Beerbaum’s GCL team, who threw his hat in delight at securing victory with that vital clear. “As I crossed the line, it all just came out of me – can you imagine you are last in the ring and it’s all in your hands and you deliver it? It’s an amazing feeling and the reason we do the sport.”

• GC Super Cup Final results

British rider speeds up her husband’s horse! ‘She’s been a hero’

British showjumper Louise Simpson (Cindy R) won the 1.50m CSI3* grand prix at the Autumn MET II in Oliva Nova, Spain, with Cindy R, a mare previously ridden by her husband David Simpson.

“Cindy R is not the fastest horse and I have only been riding her a few months, so I don’t know her inside out,” said Louise of the Clarimo x Quidam De Revel 11-year-old, bred by Dietmar Rohling, and who was used as a broodmare until three years ago. “She does have a big stride, but I did not think I would be anywhere near fast enough to win!”

Louise and the chestnut mare triumphed after a 10-way jump-off.

“When there were quite a few clears, I thought ‘Oh God’ – I did not think it was going to be easy,” said Louise.

“We have had her for about a year. She is a huge mare and on paper you would definitely say she’s a guy’s horse. My husband David has been riding her for most of the year, but actually ignoring her size, she is so sweet and easy that I kind of stole her three or four months ago and she’s been a hero.

“The plan was to put me on her to speed her up, so I feel like I’ve done that now.”

• Autumn MET results

Showjumping news: Viva Swail in Las Vegas

Irishman Conor Swail hit the World Cup jackpot when winning his first qualifier of the season in Las Vegas riding his great partner, 16-year-old Count Me In. The pair topped a six-way jump-off to take victory after an “up-and-down year” for the gelding.

“I’m lucky that ‘Crosby’ is very quick,” said Conor. “Regardless, he is very careful. We went through a little period where he wasn’t comfortable jumping the bigger fences, so we took a step back. Tonight he felt as good as ever, so I’m really delighted.

“The horse owes me nothing. I think he’s the best horse I’ve ever ridden. He brought me to the World Cup Final, I won at Dublin, he’s brought me incredible days and basically brought me to the top 10 in the world.”

Conor beat his student Vanessa Mannix of Canada riding Lehar into second, but said they remain very good friends.

“Vanessa has been riding great for a number of years now,” he said. “She’s got a nice string of horses at the moment, and it’s fantastic to see her on the podium as well.”

• Las Vegas National results

‘It’s just me and my wife doing the grooming’

And finally in this week’s showjumping news round-up, we were impressed with the story behind Irishman Dylan Daly securing victory at the Wellington International Annual Series in Florida. The 26-year-old grabbed the headlines in the CSI3* Flagler Insurance grand prix riding Cinderella Z and there is no expansive team to thank for this enterprising young rider.

“At the moment, it’s just me and my wife doing the grooming ourselves,” said Dylan. “The main thing for me is to spend time with the horse and really build up that team partnership.”

Picture of the week: What an angle!

We couldn’t finish this week’s showjumping news round-up without mentioning this fantastic image captured by Cassidy Klein of the athletic duo of Brazil’s Luiza Leivas and Novak De Kalvarie. This flying combination took the shortest route of all to win the national grand prix at Wellington International after a five-way jump-off. What a horse!

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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

When Shane Breen won last year’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup at the Royal International with the stunning grey mare Haya, we were instantly smitten. But now she’s proved she’s competitive at the highest level, finishing second in her five-star grand prix debut – to the mighty combination of Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward, no less.

Closer to home, there was an emotional victory for Billy Twomey and the “freakishly” talented stallion Chat Botte ED, who was owned by the late Sue Davis, in the CSI3* grand prix at Bolesworth International. Read on for all this week’s international showjumping news and results.

‘It took the best combination in the world to beat us!’

The €480,000 Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix of Stockholm was won by home hero Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward, but chasing them home just 0.06sec slower was Shane Breen riding his 2022 Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner Haya, who was making her five-star grand prix debut. Marcus Ehning and Stargold finished third.

Shane described the stunning grey mare as having “The heart of a lion, the mind of a professor”.

“I’ve been riding her a lot in speed classes, so I knew she was pretty quick,” said Shane. “But I thought to get on the podium would be amazing, to win would just be another dream. To come second, I am absolutely over the moon.

“It took the best combination in the world to beat us!”

Scott Brash and Hello Mr President also secured a win at the five-star show.

• LGCT Stockholm results

British victory at Spruce Meadows

Team GB rider Amanda Derbyshire landed the 1.50m RBC Capital Markets Cup 1.50m class at Spruce Meadows riding the stallion Otto BG.

“It’s a whole different ball game out there in the international ring,” said Amanda. “It very much reminds me of Aachen and Hickstead – big famous rings – and it’s very special to ride in them.”

Second-placed Conor Swail also secured a 1.45m win of his own with Gamble, who has a 42% top-10 strike rate in 1.40m-plus classes, while his countryman Darragh Kenny braved the rain to win with Chic Chic, as well as the CSI2* grand prix on Vancouver Dreams.

“It was a great day, I haven’t been to Spruce Meadows in probably four or five years and it’s a fantastic facility,” said Darragh. “The rainy weather didn’t bother me.”

• Spruce Meadows results

Nations Cup thriller

The defending champions in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup series, Belgium, won in Sopot, Poland, just beating first-round leaders Argentina, who are bidding for Olympic qualification, by one point. Germany and Switzerland finished third and fourth, separated only by time.

“The most nervous of all today was me,” said chef d’equipe Peter Weinburg. “They kept their nerve and produced brilliant round after another and that’s how we won.”

• Sopot results

Showjumping news: ‘Luck was on my side’

Shane Sweetnam won the $100,000 CSI3* 1.50m Lugano Diamonds grand prix on the Split Rock Jumping Tour with the fastest of only two double clears round Alan Wade’s track with new ride Gilona AO.

“Today, luck was on my side, so I knew what I had to do and I was able to execute it,” said Shane.

A poignant Bolesworth victory

Ireland’s Billy Twomey won the CSI3* Cavago grand prix at the Bolesworth International with the “freakishly” talented 15-year-old stallion Chat Botte ED, owned by the late Sue Davies.

“He is an outstanding jumper who’s always been freakish over a fence,” said Billy of his breeding stallion, who finished ahead of countryman Jonathan Smyth on Mulvin Lui, with Guy Williams third on Ernie Of Greenhill Z for Great Britain.

“It’s an emotional win. Bolesworth is only 20 minutes from Pewit Hall, where Sue used to live. I sometimes pick up my phone and have to stop myself from trying to call her, as I always called her after a win. She was a huge supporter of mine for 22 years, which is almost unheard of in our sport.”

• Bolesworth results

You can read all the showjumping news, including the full report from Bolesworth International, in this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, in the shops Thursday 22 June.

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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

There was plenty for British showjumping supporters to cheer about this week, with a victorious performance from the Team GB quartet in Sharjah, UAE, while a pair of veteran geldings prove unbeatable in a high-octane grand prix in Florida (one of whom has spent the past month in a field in Ireland).

Here is your weekly round-up of this week’s international winners and showjumping news from around the world.

British Nations Cup glory

Great Britain’s showjumpers were triumphant in the CSIO4* Sharjah Nations Cup, UAE. The squad of William Funnell (Equine America Billy Picador), Tim Gredley (Imperial HBF) and brothers Donald Whitaker riding Millfield Colette and Joe Whitaker with Hulahupe JR claimed victory with an eight-point margin over Ireland, with the host nation UAE in third.

There were only two double clears in the competition, both of which came from British riders – Donald Whitaker and William Funnell.

Shortly before helping Ireland to the Nations Cup podium, Shane Breen and Z7 Ipswich won the 1.45m UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation Cup.

• CSIO4* Sharjah results

Teenage horses lead the way

Returning from a break, the 16-year-old gelding Count Me In and Irish rider Conor Swail immediately resumed their winning ways, claiming top spot in the MARS Equestrian CSI4* grand prix on the Derby field at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), Florida.

“I’m lucky to have Crosby,” said Conor of the Count Grannus gelding owned by Sandy Lupton and Mannon Farm, who spent the past month in his field in Ireland after a good run at Geneva and the London International five-star shows. “He’s a very fast horse and I was trying to give it a good go and put the other riders under enough pressure and hope they would make mistakes.”

The pair scorched round from first draw in a five-way jump-off over a track designed by Anderson Lima of Brazil and posted a hefty winning margin of six seconds. The closest challenge came from US rider Laura Kraut with another 16-year-old, St Bride’s Farm’s Confu.

“He’s the horse of a lifetime for me,” said Conor, currently ranked number five in the world. “He’s changing my career, hopefully we’ll get another few years together. WEF is very tough – if you’re winning here, you can win anywhere in the world. It’s nice to come out and compete against the best riders – and come out on top sometimes. It’s very rewarding.”

Count Me In’s groom Stefan McNulty was also given the $500 grooms’ award, presented by Double H Farm.

• WEF results

‘He’s everything a rider wants’

Brazil’s Marlon Zanotelli won the penultimate Longines FEI Jumping World Cup qualifier in Bordeaux, France, riding the 14-year-old gelding VDL Edgar and came within a whisker of completing the grand prix double the following day, just finishing second to Frenchman Gregory Cottard riding Cocaine Du Val.

Marlon’s World Cup success came after a mammoth 17-combination jump-off, in which the Brazilian was joined on the podium by runner-up Edouard Schmitz (Quno) and Henrik von Eckermann (King Edward) with British stars Harry Charles (Balou Du Reventon) and Scott Brash (Hello Jefferson) claiming fourth and fifth respectively.

“It was definitely a big advantage to start last,” said Marlon. “I’m very lucky to have my wife Angelica there to watch and tell me exactly what to do – she knows Edgar so well and she knows me a bit too!”

“Luckily Edgar was amazing today and he’s been so consistent this year,” added Marlon, who finished 0.33sec ahead of his Swiss challenger, who was finishing second in a World Cup qualifier for the second week running. “He’s everything a rider wants – he’s careful, he has scope and for me the most important part is that he’s so clever. He’s so sensitive to the rider, so responsive and he’s getting quicker and quicker!”

Ireland’s Richard Howley won Friday’s opener, the 1.45m speed class, riding Mansini Ltd.

• CSI5* Jumping Bordeaux results

A winning treble for Maisy Williams

After James Smith’s astonishing winning streak during week one of the Villamoura Atlantic Tour, British riders produced plenty more success in week two, with James winning again in the CSI3* classes on Holly and Good Friends, and he was one of many reaping success in the young horse classes, with Michelob and NFS Angelina. Maisy Williams racked up a double with the seven-year-old Gold Rush, also triumphing on the six-year-old Billy Heinz ET, while Nicole Pavitt (Azalea 16) also went on to success in the CSI3* classes on Nobelle Casscania, where Guy Williams (Second Chance), Chloe Aston, Ben Hobday, Polly Shaw, Laura Mantel (Klein Stargette) and Lila Bremner with Billy Penny also flew the British flag.

The grand prix was won by Frenchman Jerome Hurel riding Byron Du Telman, with Olli Fletcher finishing second for the consecutive week riding Hello William, and Mikey Pender third for Ireland riding HHS Fast Forward.

• Villamoura Atlantic Tour results

Meet the grand prix-winning mare with a ‘very weird canter’

Winning the CSI2* grand prix at WEF, Florida, in week four was a mare who is not as straightforward as she seems. Mexican rider Tanimara Macari rode the 10-year-old mare IB Chica to top spot, despite competing in the relatively tight confines of the covered arena, which wouldn’t have suited this big-striding five-star winner.

“We didn’t really have high hopes today because she’s so long and being in the [Van Kampen] covered changed our plan, but it worked out in the end,” said Tanimara, who has only been riding the mare since the end of last year. “She was amazing today, even with all the turning, but she was so game.

“She’s definitely unconventional. She has a very weird canter and has a few quirks, but it works. She’s a super nice mare and easy to take care of. She has a fighting spirit so when she goes in the ring she really gives everything.”

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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

Showjumping results are coming in thick and fast from all over the world as the sport returns to full throttle and 2023 couldn’t have started better for British showjumper Joe Whitaker. The world champion Henrik von Eckermann is also back in flying form while Harry Charles debuts a new ride and Scott Brash maintains his winning ways.

Here is your weekly round-up of some of this week’s international sporting action, plus showjumping results.

‘This win is up there as number one’

Joe Whitaker landed the biggest win of his career when heading the Al Shira’aa Longines Diamond Tour FEI Jumping World Cup grand prix at the CSI4*-W Al Shira’aa International in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Sunday (15 January). In an 11-strong jump-off, he and Jessica Crane’s 11-year-old Hulahupe JR rocketed home over 1.5sec quicker than runner-up Billy Twomey riding Chat Botte ED.

“This win is up there as number one,” said Joe, who landed his first grand prix with Hulahupe in July last year. “He [Hulahupe] is my best friend. He is an amazing horse, and he has the heart of a lion. He wanted to jump the fences more than I did today. I am lucky to have him.

“I saw Billy Twomey go, and he went around to number two, the wall, but he absolutely put pedal to the metal everywhere else, so if you wanted to win you had to come inside it. It was a really difficult turn, so my mind was purely on that turn and then try to be as fast as I could everywhere else.”

“It’s a big gamble coming here [to the UAE] with the worry of travelling and the size of the fences, but it’s an amazing show. I’m absolutely delighted to be here and to get a result like that means the absolute world to me,” added Joe, pictured in action, below.

Taking third on the podium was Portugal’s Duarte Seabra riding Dourados, with Jessica Burke fourth on the Liam Nicholas-owned Nikey HH. The fifth double clear was produced by Tim Gredley riding Medoc De Toxandria.

• Al Shira’aa International World Cup results

One stride proves crucial between Henrik von Eckermann and Marcus Ehning

World champions Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden and the brilliant King Edward (pictured below) landed their second Longines FEI World Cup qualifier of the 2022/23 series in Basel, Switzerland, after a thrilling seven-way jump-off which came down to fractions of a second. The world number one flew home 0.06sec quicker than his nearest challenger Marcus Ehning, on Stargold, who is bidding to compete at his 20th World Cup Final.

“I was very worried about Marcus, but my luck was that he went six strides to the double and I got there in five,” said Henrik, who was following up on his success in Verona in November and is targeting the World Cup Final in Omaha, USA, in April.

Henrik and the 13-year-old gelding were drawn second against the clock over a shortened track that featured two long runs and a crucial rollback to planks at fence 11.

“It wasn’t easy, especially after the long run to the previous jump when you picked up speed and then of course had the turn-back and then the combination [double], and you also had to get the angle right to that combination,” said Henrik, who also won the previous day’s prestigious Golden Drum competition on Calizi. “So there were a few things you had to think about, but it was good sport!”

Taking third in the World Cup was Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer, who gave it his all with Vancouver de Lanlore.

Four legs now remain in Europe and Henrik tops the leaderboard, with Harry Charles the highest ranked Brit in fifth.

• Longines CHI Classics Basel World Cup results

Inpulss seizes the opportunity

Ireland’s Jessica Burke was another CSI4* winner at the Al Shira’aa International Horse Show riding Inpulss. Friday the 13th proved lucky for this pair as they came home quickest in the 1.40m Bolesworth Elite Auction gold tour two-phase. Joe Whitaker was back in the money here, finishing fourth and fifth with new ride Dream Roller and Icaterina.

There was an impressive Breen Equestrian one-two in the seven-year-olds with Michael Duffy winning on Geniale Star Kervec, just ahead of Shane Breen riding Be Stakkato.

• Al Shira’aa International Horse Show results

A ‘magic night’ for Darragh Kenny in week one of WEF

Ireland’s Darragh Kenny landed the CSI3* grand prix during week one of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, Florida, riding his top-string stallion Volnay Du Boisdeville, who he’s been riding for 18 months.

“He’s an incredible horse and he’s better when he’s fresh,” Darragh said of the 14-year-old Winningmood stallion (pictured above) owned by Teddy Vlock, who was celebrating his birthday that night. “You can trust him at the jumps and he’s very fast in jump-offs.

“For me, the hardest two jumps were the third last and second last, so I just had to be a bit careful there, but he was jumping brilliantly. He was flying,” said Darragh, who was the trailblazer in the jump-off, winning in a time of 37.58sec ahead of last-drawn Carly Anthony of USA riding Jet Blue, with Laura Kraut third on grand prix debutant Dorado 212. “It was a magic night in the end.”

Vlock Show Stables’ groom Alejandro Suarez was also recognised in the prize-giving, receiving the $500 groom’s award.

• WEF week one showjumping results

Swail wins, despite ‘slowing it down’

Conor Swail of Ireland returned to his winning ways in 2023 when landing the $145,100 CSI3* Whittier Trust grand prix at Desert International Horse Park on Sunday (15 January). When the early jump-off competitors all faulted, last-drawn Conor had only one option with Theo 160 (pictured above).

“There were two very fast four-faulters and two eight-faulters so my strategy was to go around clear,” he explained. “I thought my horse was jumping well enough this week that we could gamble on slowing it down and just trying to jump a clean round.”

The 11-year-old Christian 25 gelding, bred by Jenny Abrahamsson and owned by Team Philippaerts, was jump-off ready.

“He dove a little right on me over fence one; he was probably waiting for me to do a sharp turn or something,” said Conor. “That wasn’t really the plan. It was just about trying to get home safely. Thankfully it went to plan apart from that first jump there.”

Theo 160 has been on a great run but “wasn’t himself for a period of time” said Conor.

“He was still trying hard but he had lost a bit of confidence and a bit of stride. We went through the basics of how healthy he was feeling and did some exercise and training at home. We got the vet to look at him and got him going again, and off he went. Normally Theo is not my number one horse but it was his job to be number one this week and he really stepped up. He had a fabulous week.”

Brash steers President to success

Great Britain’s Scott Brash returned to the winner’s enclosure, claiming top spot in Friday’s 1.45m Land Rover prize two-phase at the five-star show in Basel, Switzerland, riding Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham’s 14-year-old Hello Mr President.

• Longines CHI Classics Basel results

Harry Charles finishes in the money with new ride

British team rider Harry Charles made an eye-catching show ring debut with new ride, Ann Thompson’s 17-year-old stallion Balou Du Reventon, and finished in the ribbons on the Spring MET (Mediterranean Equestrian Tour) in Oliva Nova, Spain. Harry also took fourth to Gudrun Patteet (Sea Coast Naturele Van Het Reigershof) in the silver tour grand prix with a smart double clear performance on Sherlock. Stephanie Gunn (Quianti) and Rosie Gunn (Jagerbomb) were also bronze tour winners, while the former also claimed victory with five-year-old Quickstep and finished second overall.

• Spring MET 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

Saturday night’s speed class at the CHI Geneva was action-packed, with Conor Swail’s Vital Chance De La Roque losing his bridle and running free. Even the brilliant winning performance from Conor’s team-mate Shane Sweetnam wasn’t without incident.

Shane and his outstanding partner, the 13-year-old grey gelding Alejandro, rocketed out of the starting blocks to clear the first three fences, but almost came unstuck at fence four – a lofty oxer off an acute turn-back from an airy vertical.

“When I was rolling back, he wasn’t really looking and he gave a little buck and that put us in trouble,” Shane told H&H.

The gelding managed to paddle his way over the huge oxer – without touching a single pole in the process.

“He got himself out of trouble! After that, he got it back together and really finished strong,” said Shane.

The pair powered round the snaking track, which featured three sets of doubles, in the show’s vast indoor arena and Shane punched the air in delight on seeing he’d soared into the lead in a time of 63.13sec, beating long-time leader Henrik von Eckermann on Glamour Girl by just 0.17sec.

Shane Sweetnam: ‘It’s on the bucket list’

“It’s on the bucket list to win a five-star class in Geneva,” said Shane Sweetnam. “I’ve won in Aachen, La Baule, Dublin, a lot of places, but never here. This is only my second time in Geneva, but last time I was in this class I had the fastest time but with one fence down, so I didn’t have luck that day but I definitely had a bit of luck today.”

Paying tribute to his Tokyo Olympic partner Alejandro, who has been a multi-winner for Shane over the years, he said: “He’s been brilliant and he’s had a fantastic year – he’s come back strong and nearly everywhere he’s gone he’s been in the money.

“He’s finished now, so he’ll have a break till February in Florida – he’s deserved it,” said Shane.

The highest placed British rider was Ben Maher, who finished eighth with a nippy round on Enjeu De Grisien.

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The dramatic moment horse loses its bridle in a speed class – and still finishes fourth

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Now for something completely different… a class featuring a quadruple combination

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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

There were a dramatic few minutes in the Palexpo Arena at the CHI Geneva horse show in Saturday night’s speed class, after an incident involving Irish rider Conor Swail and the brilliant gelding Vital Chance De La Roque.

The pair had completed a scorching round in the five-star class and had soared over the final oxer when the 13-year-old gelding decided to throw in a mighty buck to celebrate, as he always does at the finish.

There was then a collective gasp from the packed stands as every rider’s worst nightmare unfolded and the bridle came clean off the gelding’s head. As Conor explained to H&H: “I was forward in the saddle, riding through the finish, so this time when he bucked, he threw me up his neck.

“I was pushing myself back to try and get back in the saddle but that was when his head suddenly came up and I just pushed the bridle right off,” said the US-based Irishman, currently ranked number five in the world.

“Then, with the bridle off, he just started to run, and I almost came off the side, but thankfully the corner was right there in front of us and him coming round to the left helped me get back up.”

Vital De La Roque, who is usually competed barefoot, then cantered off around the arena with Conor perfectly poised in the saddle, but with the bridle hanging from one hand and no means of control.

Remarking on how he managed to keep his cool in what could have been a terrifying incident, the Irishman said, “He’s normally quiet, so I wasn’t that bothered that he would get too crazy, but we kept running for a lot longer than I expected – I thought he’d stop before he did.”

Vital De La Roque eventually came to a halt and stood very calmly as the bitless bridle was put back in place, much to the relief of everyone involved.

Despite the dramatic aftermath, the pair’s round was good enough for a fourth-place finish.

“He jumped incredible,” said Conor, whose team-mate Shane Sweetnam claimed victory with Alejandro.

Earlier in the week at CHI Geneva, Conor Swail had teamed up with another of his great partners, Count Me In, to win Friday’s speed class, which acts as a qualifier for Sunday’s Rolex grand prix.

“He jumped good the first day but just had one down, then obviously the grand prix qualification is very important,” said Conor. “In order to do that I felt I needed to be in the top 15 in the speed class, so you needed to do one of two things – you go slow and clear, but if you have one down you’re out, or you go quick and if you have one down you’ll also probably be in the top 15 or 20 and my horse is very fast anyway and careful, so we played that card and thankfully it worked very well.”

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Bitless and barefoot proves best for Conor Swail’s ride Vital Chance De La Roque

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

The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup qualifiers are coming thick and fast, with Irish showjumper Conor Swail and Frenchman Julien Epaillard claiming victories on either side of the Atlantic this week. The latter’s win in Lyon marked an astounding seventh consecutive five-star success for the world number three. Meanwhile Great Britain finished on the podium in the CSIO3* Nations Cup in Spain, where Tim Gredley returned to team duties for the first time in many years and Robert Murphy made a sterling debut.

Here is H&H’s weekly round-up of just some of the international action from the world of showjumping over the past week, plus showjumping results.

Coyle brothers share puissance spoils: ‘When the helmet goes on, you become competitors’

Irish brothers Daniel and Jordan Coyle, and US rider McLain Ward, all cleared 2.10m (6ft 10in) to share the $25,000 Defender puissance spoils at the Washington International Horse Show. This was the 10th time McLain has won or tied in the puissance at the show and he returned with his 15hh speed specialist Catoki, who tied for victory last year as well.

“I knew he was always brave, but he’s barely bigger than a pony,” he said. “He did the speed class [at this show] and was brilliant, almost won that. It’s incredible. I have barely any spur and the horse pulls you down there like a lion and I think he enjoys it. He’s an incredible winner.”

Daniel Coyle, who won the opening class at this year’s show with the great mare Legacy, was also a co-winner of last year’s puissance and entered the 14-year-old Oak Grove’s Carlyle, owned by Ariel Grange, “to give him a bit of heart” after a slow start to the week.

“He jumped great every round,” said Daniel. “That’s him; he’s one or the other, he’s either frantic or he just goes and does it very simply.”

Daniel’s older brother Jordan completed the trio of Washington’s puissance winners with Eristov (main image), a 13-year-old KWPN gelding with whom he finished fifth in the Hickstead Derby.

“He was my first big-time horse,” he said. “I’m thankful for everything he’s done for me. We gave him a break, planning to wind down and retire him, but he didn’t love that so much.

“By the end of tonight [puissance] it felt like I could have jumped anything.”

Daniel said of competing against his brother: “We’ve competed our whole lives together. We’re brothers, but when the helmet goes on, you become a competitor and that’s how it is. It’s great, we’ve learned a lot from each other over the years and it’s great now to be at the top of the sport together.”

WIHS puissance results

Epaillard’s spectacular seven-timer

French star Julien Epaillard (pictured above) continued his superb run of form when landing a staggering four five-star classes in Lyon, France, including the Longines FEI World Cup qualifier and the Longines Grand Prix with the 10-year-old mare Caracole De La Roque. His remaining wins came with Donatello D’Auge, in the Equita Masters on Saturday and the opening two-phase

“You can never expect a weekend as good as this one,” said the 45-year-old, who had landed a hat-trick at St Lo the previous week, meaning that he has won all seven of the last five-star classes he’s entered. This also marked his 69th international win this year.

“I am lucky enough to ride outstanding horses, but there is always an element of luck involved too. You have to enjoy it while it’s there.”

Longines Equita Lyon showjumping results

‘We’ve gone through the roof’

Conor Swail landed his second World Cup qualifier in a row, this time riding Count Me In, and now holds a commanding lead at the top of the North American League.

His victory at the Washington International Horse Show presented by Mars Equestrian in Upper Marlboro, USA, came after a nine-way jump-off on the 15-year-old Count Grannus gelding, owned by Mannon Farm and Sandy Lupton, and known at home as Crosby, on whom he finished eighth in last season’s World Cup Final. It followed Conor’s success in the opening leg in Sacramento with Vital Chance De La Roque.

“This is his first five-star grand prix win with me and I’m just so thrilled for him,” said the Irishman, who triumphed with a slick clear in 35.76sec, just ahead of runner-up Daniel Bluman riding Gemma W. Barely a second separated the top four riders and third went to US rider Brian Moggre on his long-time partner MTM Vivre Le Reve.

“Count Me In has really changed my career,” said Conor, who just needs to win one more leg of the World Cup to match his record hat-trick from last season as we head towards the 2023 final in Omaha. “He’s brought me to a lot of places I’d never been and has been successful doing it. This year, I know he’s capable and [returning to the World Cup Finals] is something that I’m looking forward to doing with him.

“Since I got these two horses, Count Me In and Vital Chance De La Roque, we really hit it off and we’ve gone through the roof.”

WIHS World Cup qualifier results

Showjumping results: bronze for British team in Spain

Great Britain claimed third in the CSIO3* Nations Cup of Vejer De La Frontera, Spain, where the hosts were victorious, with Colombia taking the runner-up spot. Ireland finished on equal faults with Great Britain but were three seconds slower, placing them fourth. The squad consisted of pathfinder Robert Murphy, making his senior debut with How Easy, Joe Fernyhough and Calcourt Particle, Tim Gredley riding Medoc De Toxandria and Skye Higgin with the nine-year-old Djordania Du Tillard.

“They all worked very well together and the experience they gained here will stand them in good stead going forward,” said chef d’equipe Di Lampard. “It was a great result from 15 teams. Robert was on his first senior Nations Cup and jumped solid rounds, Joe, on his second Nations Cup after being on the winning team in Gorla Minore, Italy, put in good rounds. We needed clear rounds and Tim, on his first Nations Cup for many years, and Skye, who also jumped for clear and four in Prague, both handled the pressure extremely well and delivered.”

Nations Cup showjumping results

Irish success on the Andalucia Champions Tour

Niamh McEvoy and Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick landed the 1.55m CSIO3* grand prix on the Andalucia October Tour at Vejer De La Frontera, Spain, while Billy Twomey and Lady Lou took the two-star equivalent.

Niamh has racked up numerous victories and placings on the tour and sealed it with a superb grand prix performance on Sunday, beating countryman Cian O’Connor and Kilkenny.

“My mare has jumped phenomenally,” she said. “She was very strong in the first round, there were some very difficult lines, especially at the beginning of the test, but she put her heart into it as always and she succeeded.”

Andalucia October Tour showjumping results

‘The cupcakes are why I wanted to win here!’

US rider Laura Kraut landed Friday’s feature class, the $75,000 speed final, at the 2022 Washington International Horse Show riding Eugenie Angot’s and Stars And Stripes’ Calgary Tame (pictured above).

“He’s a new horse for me this year,” said Laura of the 10-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Old Chap Tame x Kashmir Van’t Schuttershof. “He’s been a fantastic horse for me so far, but this is the first class I’ve won with him, so I’m excited. The funny thing about this horse is that I’ve had a bit of steering issues along the way. Tonight you definitely needed all of your power steering. I thought, ‘I have nothing to lose and I’m going to have to give it a go. He’s super brave and he was just right on it for me.”

But the best prize of all for Laura?

“I’m dying for these Georgetown cupcakes; it’s why I wanted to win here!” joke Laura, who won the show’s leading lady rider award and tied for the international jumper championship.

WIHS 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

The focus of international showjumping action this week was Birmingham, England, as we enjoyed a week of CSI3* jumping at Horse of the Year Show, with Shane Breen producing a breathtaking jump-off round to land the feature class, the Leading Showjumper of the Year title. But there was plenty happening overseas, too, with France’s Roger-Yves Bost and another Irishman, Shane Sweetnam, both gambling – and winning – with very daring decisions to take strides out in their respective classes.

Here is your weekly round-up of international action from the world of showjumping over the past week, plus showjumping results

Bosty sees a long one!

At the CSI5* Hubside Jumping, St Tropez, French rider Roger-Yves Bost landed Saturday’s two-phase with a spectacular leap (main image above) on the 14-year-old mare Urane, which helped to nudge them just 0.14sec clear of the field of 31 combinations.

“I knew this was the last class of the weekend for Urane so it had to be for us – especially as the mare is doing really well at the moment,” said the Flying Frenchman, who also won at the venue a fortnight earlier. “I gave it everything in the second part of the course and took out a stride before the last fence – I think that’s what made the difference.”

Sunday’s grand prix was won by another Frenchman, Laurent Goffinet riding Atome Des Etisses. Ireland’s Mark McAuley finished sixth with four faults in the jump-off on Jasco VD Bisschop. Earlier in the week, Scott Brash was also in the ribbons in the five-star classes on Hello Jefferson.

Hubside Jumping, St Tropez, grand prix showjumping results

Charles siblings hit winning form

Harry Charles won Friday’s CSI2* speed class at Hubside Jumping, St Tropez, with the relatively new ride, the 11-year-old mare Chavira, who was competed by his sister Sienna after coming from Sweden. The pair won by nearly 1.5sec in a field of 54 starters to claim the €6,375 top prize. The following day, Sienna won the silver tour grand prix with the lovely grey mare Havana M in a strong 12-way jump-off. Their sister Scarlett jumped double clear to finish seventh with the stallion I Am Jordan, while Ben Maher was placed higher up the rankings with Pamela Wright and Charlotte Rossetter’s Enjeu De Grisien.

Hubside Jumping, St Tropez, showjumping results

A Whitaker-packed jump-off

After a stellar year in which he’s landed the Hickstead Derby and the Queen’s Cup at the Royal International, Irish showjumper Shane Breen landed the Leading Showjumper of the Year at HOYS with the brilliant stallion Cuick Star Kervec (pictured above), who wowed the crowds with some mighty bucks on his lap of honour.

But Shane had some fierce opposition, not least from a strong contingent of Whitakers, and the famous showjumping family accounted for a whopping half of the eight jump-off contenders, as well as featuring throughout the show’s showjumping results. John Whitaker and Jack Whitaker took second and third respectively in Sunday’s feature class, with Robert Whitaker and his cousin Donald Whitaker not far behind.

“His scope is amazing. I’ve never ridden anything with this much scope,” said Shane, of his Quick Star stallion, with whom he finished 0.19sec ahead of John with Equine America Unick Du Francport.

“John is a legend of the sport and I knew he was in it to win it tonight,” said Shane of his 67-year-old rival. “He is an inspiration.”

Read all the H&H reports from this year’s Horse of the Year Show

HOYS results

Emotional win for home rider

On the CSI4* Morocco Royal Tour, home rider Abdelkebir Ouaddar won the 1.50m World Cup grand prix with the 14-year-old gelding Istanbull VH Ooievaarshof.

“This victory is magnificent because this horse was very difficult, but I managed to get him on my side and he gave his heart today,” said the Moroccan rider, who dedicated his victory to the country’s king.

Morocco Royal Tour results

Celebrations abound on all-Irish podium

Ireland’s Darragh Kerins lead an Irish top three in Sunday’s CSI3* Split Rock Fall II $100,000 Lugano Diamonds grand prix. Darragh blazed to victory aboard Eve Jobs’ Valentino Tuiliere (Diamant De Semilly x Silvio), more than half a second ahead of Shane Sweetnam riding Alejandro with Daniel Coyle third on Jeffrey Jarden (all three pictured above). Darragh had been drawn first in an eight-way jump-off over tracks set by Bernardo Costa Cabral at Kentucky Horse Park, pulling off a risky inside turn in front of an unused fence to set the target of 38.49sec. Australian showjumper Rowan Willis clocked the fastest time of 37.26sec riding Wellington Grey Goose but with a fence down to place him fifth.

“For the past few months, this horse has just been jumping unbelievably, but I always end up just short in second or third place,” said Darragh of the 13-year-old gelding. “The horse really deserved the win today.”

Split Rock Fall II showjumping results

Father and daughter win 500 miles apart

As well as finishing on the grand prix podium in Kentucky, Irish showjumper Shane Sweetnam won a 1.45m CSI3* class at the Split Rock Hunter Jumper Fall II, while over 500 miles away his 14-year-old daughter Olivia Sweetnam took the grand pony hunter champion title at the 2022 Capital Challenge Horse Show. Shane’s win came with Alejandro, taking out a jaw-dropping two strides to the final line.

Meanwhile on the US East Coast at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, his daughter Olivia piloted the seven-year-old gelding Goldmark (pictured above) to beat a field of more than 100 ponies to claim the prestigious grand champion title.

“Right from the start he was a winner,” said Olivia, who is trained by her parents Ali and Shane Sweetnam at their Sweet Oak Farm in Florida. “Every show we’ve gone to we’ve won classes. In all except one show we’ve been champion or reserve. He’s just so amazing, and he really wants to do his best always.”

Capital Challenge Horse Show results

A grand prix win for Cyprus

In week two of the Autumn Mediterranean Equestrian Tour at Oliva Nova, Spain, a rider from Cyprus landed the CSI2* 1.50m grand prix. Alexa Stais rode Urhelia Lutterbach to victory in a huge jump-off, where the highest placed British rider was Jemma Kirk (Diamonds Are Unique) in eighth, sealing a week of excellent results for Jemma. Lance Whitehouse claimed the seven-year-old trophy this week with his British-bred Colestus son, Dexter.

Autumn MET Tour Week 2 results

Back-to-back World Cups for Swail

Another Irishman in flying form this week was US-based Conor Swail, who landed Sacramento’s World Cup qualifier at the Murieta Equestrian Center for the second year running. The world number five headed last season’s North American League on the World Cup circuit and enjoyed a flying start to this year’s eight-leg series riding Vital Chance De La Roque (pictured above).

“He has had an incredible year,” said Conor of the 13-year-old Diamant De Semilly gelding. “Every time I ride him, I know he’s going to give me a good shot to win. The two of us just seem to have a good partnership.”

The pair claimed victory as the only double clear in a three-way jump-off, with 20-year-old Sophie Siegel (A-Girl) and Natalie Dean (Chance Ste Hermelle) of USA completing the podium.

“When you go first [in a jump-off of this size], you’re either first, second or third. I’d prefer to be first, and I wanted to try to put it away early,” said Conor. “I was going to do what my strengths are. My plan was to be fast [and not] leave the door open.”

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British 2012 Olympic gold medallist returns to the ring and Ben Maher wins on new horse

A flying John Whitaker, a red Ferrari and young horse world champions – the tales behind this week’s showjumping results

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

There was a five-star showjumping bonanza close to home this week, with both Dublin Horse Show and the Longines Global Champions Tour of London vying for our attention. We witnessed a barefoot grand prix winner, heart-warming scenes of Irish ecstasy and heard about one mare’s miraculous comeback from serious injury.

Here is your weekly round-up of just some of the international sporting action from the world of showjumping, as well as this weekend’s showjumping results.

‘This has been a lifetime goal’

Nothing means more to Irish showjumpers than to lift the Aga Khan Cup for the Longines FEI Nations Cup of Ireland at Dublin Horse Show and on Friday (19 August) the quartet of 18-year-old Max Wachman (Berlux Z), Conor Swail (Count Me In), Cian O’Connor (Kilkenny) and Shane Sweetnam (James Kaan Cruz) bridged a seven-year gap to lift the coveted trophy amidst great scenes of jubilation. This was the nation’s 24th victory since its inception in 1926 and came after an epic duel with France to decide top honours.

“It’s been a lifetime goal and an incredible achievement to be Irish and win the FEI Nations Cup of Ireland,” said Conor, Ireland’s chosen jump-off representative, who couldn’t quite believe he’d nailed victory. “I looked up and the screen said two – I thought I wasn’t fast enough, it usually says one when you’re the quickest.” The cheering crowds soon put him right.

Anchorman Cian O’Connor, on his 16th Dublin team appearance and landing his fourth Dublin win, said after his double clear: “Kilkenny felt like he owned the ring, it was on me not to make a mistake.”

• Longines FEI Nations Cup of Ireland results

A miraculous comeback from injury for former world-beater

Nicole Lockhead Anderson and Tom Williams’ superstar mare Chilli put in a breathtaking performance to win the CSI2* Fiji Water grand prix at the London LGCT.

“She’s just an absolute legend,” said Nicole of the 10-year-old Colestus x Colorit German-bred mare, who was a big winner in young horse classes, taking the World Young Horse Breeding Championships in Lanaken as a five-year-old when ridden by Pippa Goddard and finishing runner-up there as a six-year-old with Donald Whitaker in the saddle, before going on to win the newcomers final with him in 2018.

But disaster struck two years ago in Spain when Chilli got loose in the arena and tried to jump out, resulting in injuries that have required two years of healing and recuperation, making this an emotional return for the team.

“She basically lost all the muscles in her armpit and needed two years off,” said Nicole. “It’s amazing that she’s healed and has come back to jump at this level. We brought her back very slowly. She started jumping again a couple of months ago and Tom said a long time ago that he wanted to win the grand prix in London with her and we did it! She absolutely loved it – to win here is amazing.”

Read more about Nicole’s winning round

• LGCT two-star grand prix results

Clearing 2.20m at ‘the best show in the world’

Ireland’s Mikey Pender claimed a stunning hat-trick and the leading rider award at Dublin Horse Show. Marion Hughes’ consistent home-bred Catoki x Douglas 11-year-old HHS Fortune doubled up, taking the opening day’s speed stakes with 1.38 sec to spare and the speed Derby by a clear two seconds. Mikey’s 2019 Hickstead Derby champion Hearton Du Bois Halleux stepped up in the puissance, the Nonstop 15-year-old the only one to clear 2.20m in the five-way decider.

“This is the best show in the world. My horses have been on fantastic form and the crowd was behind us all week,” said Mikey.

• Land Rover Puissance results

Barefoot one-two in London thriller

THE Brits may have been pushed off the podium for the first time since the Longines Global Champions Tour of London grand prix’s inception, but MOM’s Toupie De La Roque, the characterful chestnut mare (pictured below) who took the €100,000 (£84,830) jackpot for Belgium’s Pieter Devos, still won the admiration of the crowd. Pieter’s distinctive, white-stockinged 15-year-old, who competes barefoot and without front boots, used every ounce of athleticism and care to clear the second fence, after losing momentum on a risky, tight turnback. Her enthusiasm shone out round the rest of the track, where the split-screen analysis showed she found even more of an advantage on a brave run to the vertical at the last.

“The horse was doing absolutely everything she could to jump the fences clear,” Pieter said.

Second-placed rider Olivier Philippaerts was also riding a barefoot horse, the 10-year-old H&M Miro. Best of the Brits was fourth-placed Ellen Whitaker riding Andrew and Tilly Shaw’s 10-year-old grey Equine America Spacecake, who has “bunny-hopped” up the levels this year.

“She’s really quite inexperienced and I am so happy with her,” said Ellen, who started out jumping the mare at 1.10m and 1.20m in summer 2021 and began her five-star career in Rome this year.

Read more about the LGCT grand prix of London

• London LGCT grand prix results

Showjumping results: new mare impresses for Matt Sampson

British rider Matt Sampson has been enjoying plenty of success across the pond so far this summer, including top wins at Spruce Meadows, and he continued that streak this weekend. Matt and Elisa BJX took the 1.50m CSI3* ATCO Cup Grand Prix at Thunderbird Show Park, near Vancouver, nearly three seconds ahead of the USA’s Karrie Rufer on Stern dei Foletti.

“I thought, ‘It’s not very often you get to be in a grand prix at a show like this in the jump-off’,” Matt said. “She’s 10 years old, so she’s old enough to give it a go, and she just rose to it. That’s what good horses do.”

The mare had only jumped her first 1.50m course two days beforehand, in the “tbird” CSI3* Uryadi’s Village Cup.

“She [jumped] 1.50m on Friday, and we had two mistakes, but she just learns. She’s clever,” Matt said. “In the first round, she felt really good but a little inexperienced in places. In the jump-off, she felt amazing.”

Elisa only joined Matt’s string in June at Spruce Meadows.

“It’s difficult to get to know the horses at the show when you’re trying to compete with them, because you don’t really get that time for them to get to know you and vice versa—to create that bond where she trusts me,” he said. “I think we’ve really got that now.”

• Thunderbird results

Swiss rider ‘steals’ his first five-star success from the Irish

Sunday’s Longines grand prix at Dublin Horse Show was won by Edouard Schmitz on Gamin Van’t Naastveldhof for Switzerland. Only seven of the 40 starters mastered course-designer Alan Wade’s 14-fence 1.60m track with Edouard registering his first win at this level by 0.47 sec.

“I got a good turn from fence one to two and I was cheeky on the rollback turn to the [penultimate] oxer,” said Edouard, who also executed a risky gallop to the double on the Chacco Chacco x Toulon 10-year-old. “He’s a big-striding horse with a good canter.”

Asked if he knew what it meant to win Ireland’s biggest grand prix, he replied: “I do. I’ve stolen it from two Irish riders but it couldn’t be a better place to win my first five-star grand prix.”

Conor and Count Me In came so close. “One less stride to the last would have got it but he’s jumped five clears over three days, I couldn’t ask for more,” he said, after edging ahead of third-placed teammate Shane Sweetnam on James Kann Cruz.

• Longines international grand prix of Ireland results

A speedy win on a ‘slow’ horse

Adam Botham took Saturday’s Martin Collins London Cup at the LGCT with a super round on Barbara Hester’s 10-year-old gelding Harvey. The 1.30m speed class was claimed with an innovative ride from Adam on Harvey, who he says is not naturally the quickest horse. So what was the secret to their success?

“I did one less stride everywhere basically!” said Adam, who won in 58.50sec, nearly a second faster than his closest rivals.

“Harvey’s not a fast horse, so he has to really try. When you walk the course, you have to work out how to do something different to everybody else with him in order to be fast enough, because when he jumps he doesn’t scoot through the air. He jumps high, and he’s a bit slow, but that’s why he can jump a big class. But in these speed classes, you just have to make sure you do something different.”

Read more about Adam’s win

• LGCT of London showjumping results

Wins galore for Breen and Howley

Great Britain-based Irishman Richard Howley claimed a hat-trick of wins at Dublin Horse Show while Trevor Breen soared to the top of the 1.50m Dublin Stakes riding Germaine W, jointly owned with Mandy Hall and Paul McAteer. Richard’s first win came in the Minerva 1.45m speed class on the Harley 12-year-old Fame with 2.26 sec in hand over William Whitaker’s Jalellah OL. They followed it up with a win in the pairs relay with Cliodhna McEvoy, 10, on 128cm Tynnan Tuttle Pip. Richard also took a 0.27 sec win in the Kilkea Castle 1.45m speed on Sarah Borthwick’s Chinook, a Tygo x Wellington 15-year-old at his second show since returning from injury 14 months ago. They arrived on form after a double victory at Bolesworth two-star the previous week.

“He’s been amazing these past six years. He’s won at every level, even when asking him beyond his capabilities, he never backs down from a challenge. He’s a fighter,” said Richard.

• Dublin Horse Show showjumping results

Pohl’s winning double

German rider Nicola Pohl, whose boyfriend Donald Whitaker was jumping in the five-star classes at the London LGCT, landed a winning double at the show with Jack Whitaker’s junior European Championships silver medallist, Arlo De Blondel. The pair rocketed to top spot in Friday’s Hastens 1.40m two-phase, following up in the 1.30m Martin Collins London Cup jump-off class on Sunday.

“Arlo gave me everything – he loves the speed,” said 26-year-old Nicola, who took the reins at the start of the year.

Read more from Nicola Pohl

‘It’s suddenly hit me now. I owe her so much’

The opening Hyde Park Stables 1.15m two-phase at the London leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour resulted in an emotional win for Ireland’s Aisling Byrne, who was told four years ago that she would never walk again after a riding accident in which a horse fell on top of her.

“I didn’t think I’d ever see that vision looking through the ears again, so even to have that, then to get in the ring, then for her to win… it’s incredible, a dream come true,” said Aisling, who was riding her super grey mare Wellview Lucy. “She was the first horse I got back on and jumped my first 60cm again after my accident, so she’s brought me all the way. It’s suddenly hit me now. I owe her so much.”

Read what else Aisling had to say

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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

The World Cup Jumping Final got underway this afternoon in Leipzig, Germany (7 April), and it was Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs who established himself in pole position heading into round two of the competition.

Second last to go Martin and the 15-year-old Verdi TN x Concorde stallion Chaplin pulled off a brilliant clear round in 65.11secs to steam in to the lead, more than a second ahead of Austria’s Max Kühner and Elektric Blue P.

“I had a good draw going second last. My horse is super fast and careful; I had a plan and I rode the course following this plan, and it all worked out. I did take risks to be fast but I didn’t take the last risk to go as fast as possible,” said Martin.

“It was definitely a tricky course, although not the biggest. There were some difficulties at the end with the combination coming out of the corner, the high plank and then five or six strides to the last oxer,” he explained.

Martin revealed that he will switch to his other ride, The Sinner, for round two of the competition, before bringing Chaplin back out for the final round on Sunday.

“Chaplin is a superstar and The Sinner is also a very good horse. He has been good in the past few weeks, and I have a lot of confidence in him. I have a great string of horses and I am lucky I can change horses,” he said.

Ireland’s Conor Swail finished best of the British and Irish contingent, in third riding Count Me In.

“Neither he nor I have done a World Cup before, but I’m coming in knowing that my horse is very capable and I am also an older veteran as they say,” laughed Conor. “I was super happy with how he jumped in there; he was really good and solid for me. Sometimes on the first day he can be a little nervous and it takes him a few days to get going but he has started off fantastically.

“It’s always nice when the plan goes as it should.”

World Cup Jumping Final day one: how the Brits fared

The British riders put in solid performances to all finish inside the top 20. Harry Charles leads the British charge at the moment, sitting in 13th with the 12-year-old Chacco-Blue mare Stardust. The pair had an unfortunate rail down coming into the double, but kept their pace and rhythm up to finished strongly.

“She is still quite green to the level, so she coped with it really well. I could have set her up a bit better; I ran a little bit too deep [to the double] which is my fault. But all is not lost – we’re not in bad shape, although I’d hoped to be better,” he told H&H.

Harry will switch to ride his Tokyo Olympics horse Romeo 88 for the second round of the final tomorrow.

“The plan was always to switch to Romeo. He has actually been out of the top level for a while; he’s had a long break, but he is very experienced, so I imagine he’ll come in tomorrow and be pretty good,” said Harry.

Jack Whitaker finished in 18th with a steady clear riding Equine America Valmy De La Lande. He beat his uncle, John Whitaker, by just 0.01secs, with John finishing 19th on Equine America Unick Du Francport after one fence down in his bid to capture a third World Cup title.

Ireland’s second rider, Denis Lynch, ended up 21st with Cristello.

The World Cup Showjumping Final continues tomorrow (8 April) with round two getting underway at 2pm (1pm BST).

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Laura Kraut and Confu had a triumphant return from uncertainty to win the $216,000 grand prix CSI4* during the “Saturday Night Lights” at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

“The win tonight means everything,” said Laura. “A few months ago, we were crying because we weren’t sure he was going to make it.”

It was the first grand prix for Confu since November 2021. Laura explained that the gelding suffered from a serious virus at the end of 2021, and his future had been extremely unclear.

Forty-five entries from 14 nations contested Canada’s Michel Vaillancourt’s opening course. His stamina-challenging track included two double combinations, a triple combination, and a triple-bar early on at obstacle three.

Ten contestants returned to the jump-off and the night looked to be sewn up by the Irish as Mark McAuley sat in second and Conor Swail put in a blazing round in 37.10 seconds as the second to last with Vital Chance De La Roque, to go into the lead. Laura and Confu clearly had other plans as the last to go in the jump-off.

The duo proved they are never a pair that should be counted out. Kraut and the 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Contact Me x Cambridge 8) exploded into action, finishing with a final time of 36.44 seconds.

“I knew how quick all of the riders were tonight, so when I was heading in, I thought, ‘I would be happy with fifth’,” explained Kraut. “My plan was just to go at his pace and hopefully let him be double clear. The turn to the wall and the rollback to the oxer felt incredibly fast to me. I was then lucky to get a good jump on the second to last fence, and then also lucky to keep the final fence up. He knew exactly what to do.

“It means the world to have him win, and to win on Horseware week [at the Winter Equestrian Festival], I don’t think we could have scripted it any better. I’m so thankful to have had their support for many years, and it feels like winning this class was meant to be.”

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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

Conor Swail’s 13-year-old gelding Vital Chance De La Roque – aka ‘Vinny’ – has an unusual comfort zone, which sees him competing with no shoes and a simple hackamore at the Winter Equestrian Festival this week.

“There’s not much tack there so it’s a good system that he’s in and he goes very well. He seems to like that the best,”said Conor.

When he acquired the horse, Vinny was already accustomed to having no shoes and as a result, Conor stuck with it.

“The person we bought him from just asked me to leave them off because it was working well,” he said. “I don’t see a reason to change it if the horse is healthy and sound and doing well. The horse has stayed that way with me and it’s been over a year now.”

Conor has two supposedly identical hackamores, but he only rides in one – and it is treasured.

“They’re supposed to be the same, but when I ride in the other one I don’t like it as much,” said Conor. “I just go with the other one, so it travels everywhere or it’s at home on my couch.”

For Conor, the hackamore is something of a go to option.

“I try to be more simple with bits,” he said. “With Vinny, he’s quite a hot, strong horse or he can be, so when he’s charging and I’ve a bridle I have to correct his movements.

“And I found with a bridle when I had to steady him down a bit he found it hard to jump big jumps because I was nearly taking too much energy away, whereas with the hackamore, it’s more pressure on the nose, so even if I’m pulling he’s still able to jump through the bridle and get to the other side easier. That’s how I feel it works really well with him.”

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Conor Swail debuted his new horse, nine-year-old stallion Nadal Hero & DB, at the Winter Equestrian Festival at the International Equestrian Centre Palm Beach, USA yesterday in a 1m 40 class.

“I started him last week in a couple of high schooling classes 1.25m and 1.30,” Conor said. “I just gave him a jump round last week to make sure he was comfortable.”

The striking stallion had impressive scope and went clear in the first round before having a rail down in the jump off. His time was competitive and Swail looked as though he was having fun. “He jumped round very easily today, I thought,” said Conor. “I was very happy with how he jumped. He is very straightforward and easy, like. He’s very nice to ride.”

Swail found the chestnut stallion in Belgium and it prompted memories of his previous star stallions Lansdowne and Grafton. “He reminded me of them in looks and temperament,” Conor said.

He owns the horse jointly with Conall Murray, an old friend from County Down. Prior to purchase, last year Nadal Hero & DB competed in a few two stars as an eight-year-old and Swail is hoping for a bright future. “I hope he’s going to be a very competitive three-star or four-star horse and if he does more than that, that’s great and if he doesn’t, that’s also okay.”

So far the signs have been promising and after yesterday’s round at the Winter Equestrian Festival Conor said: “I think he’s kind of ready now to start getting into the 1m45 ranking classes. Let’s try to figure each other out and go from there.”

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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

Ireland’s Conor Swail is expecting to be out of action for a couple of months after injuring his Achilles tendon in a freak incident at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, Canada last week.

Conor was competing in the $50,000 Weston Canadian Open speed class on Ariana when he collected the injury at fence 2.

Conor explained: “Just as my mare was taking off for the 2nd fence, I put a bit of leg on and my spur got caught in a bit of the equipment. When she stretched out, my (left) ankle stayed down and the stretch ripped my calf and Achilles. As soon as I landed, it was totally numb… just pins and needles and I couldn’t feel it.”

Conor continued his round, negotiating some fences without a stirrup (pictured top), to finish 11th, but admitted, “there was a lot of pain afterwards.”

A brief visit to a local doctor confirmed Conor had damaged his Achilles, but he was planning to fly home to Ireland for a fuller diagnosis by a doctor specialising in sports injuries.

Having already won 3 classes with Game Ready, Ariana and Arista, Conor still won the show’s leading international rider award, but he had to hop down the steps from the seating area to the arena floor to receive it.

While he won’t be missing much in the way of competition during his time off, he is disappointed he won’t be able to play golf, as he had planned to before heading to Florida for the Winter Equestrian Festival.

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