Latest from Horse & Hound in Fei-world-cup-jumping

‘Proud to have my name on the trophy’: one rider and two ‘exceptional’ mares lead World Cup Final from start to finish

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:59:17 +0000

Having led the 46th running of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final from start to finish, no rider was more deserving of victory than US’s Kent Farrington.

Producing five masterful performances with two horses across three days at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, the world number two triumphed with just four penalties, three points clear of Daniel Deusser for Germany, with another American rider, Katie Dinan, completing the podium in third.

Kent has won countless top-level grands prix and a colourful assortment of medals at Olympics, World Championships and Pan American Games, but this was his first individual title.

“The World Cup Final is special to me, because it’s what I grew up watching,” said the 45-year-old. “I didn’t have access to high level shows, but we had video tapes of the World Cup Final and I would get that every single year. I would watch it so much that I would burn through the tape on cassette, so I’m proud to have my name on the trophy.”

A powerhouse duo of mares at the World Cup Final

Kent was one of only two riders to contest the World Cup Final on more than one horse. He executed a superb plan by taking the lead in Thursday’s opening speed leg with 12-year-old mare Toulayna, who also jumped the 2024 World Cup Finals in Riyadh, then switching to the record-breaking, multi-winner Greya. Even this electric grey’s cruising speed is several notches faster than the majority of her rivals and they coasted through to Sunday’s final in top spot having won Friday’s jump-off class.

“Greya is an incredible horse, but it would be difficult [for her] to go in on the first day in a small ring, after I’ve been jumping all winter in large outdoor areas, and be able to go fast enough to be in contention,” explained Kent. “I would have had to go in with a less aggressive plan [if I rode her on Thursday] and in order to have a chance in this final, you have to be somewhere near the front at the beginning.”

A rare four faults at the flimsiest plank in Sunday’s opening round offered Kent less of a cushion coming into the final decider and nobody puts more pressure on himself than Kent. But with trademark focus he held it together, delivering the winning clear round to the absolute delight of a rapturous home crowd.

“I have two exceptional mares and they put me in the position to win this title,” he said. “Daniel Deusser was making me sweat, though! I would have preferred to come into the final round with a rail in hand, but that didn’t happen, so we had all the pressure. At a certain point, there’s no more pressure to put on.

“But I was just focused on trying to execute my plan, on being in the present and being one with my horse.”

Paying tribute to the “phenomenal” Greya (Colestus x Contender), who is looked after by groom Denise Moriarty, he said: “She showed all week what an incredible horse she is.

“The World Cup Final is always special, but to have it here in the USA and to bring it home is very special.”

Like father, like son

The 2014 World Cup victor Daniel Deusser brought a son of his great partner Tobago Z to Fort Worth, the 12-year-old Otello De Guldenboom. The pair finished on Kent’s heels on day one, dropping down the leaderboard with four faults on Friday but clawing back up to the runner-up spot with one of only three double clears on Sunday.

“When you come out having jumped two clear rounds with only one rider left to go, you dream a bit about winning, but I’m very happy with my second place,” Daniel said.

Nine US riders contested these finals and none was more impressive than 32-year-old Katie Dinan, competing at her seventh final. A closing double clear with her wonderful US-bred mare Out Of The Blue SCF propelled them to the podium, where Katie found herself standing next to two of her idols.

“I have to pinch myself! I’m just happy to be in the game and I owe everything to my horse,” she said of the daughter of Verdi TN, who was bred by Spy Coast Farms in Kentucky. “She was simply spectacular. If I made a mistake she covered it for me.”

Katie credited the “amazing team around me” including 2007 World Cup champion Beat Mändli, who has been her coach for the past decade.

“I just try not to let them down during my two minutes in the arena,” she said. “This is a dream come true.”

Two unusual falls add to the drama

Germany’s Rene Dittmer and Cody 139 finished equal with Katie on nine penalties but in a marginally slower time for fourth ahead of Kevin Staut (Visconti Du Telman) and three-time World Cup winner Steve Guerdat (Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte), both of whom dropped off the podium spots they held coming into Sunday’s final.

Bizarrely, both seventh-placed USA rider, Aaron Vale (Carissimo 25) and ninth-placed Richard Vogel (Gangster Montdesir) suffered falls after the finish line during the World Cup Finals, the latter admitting: “I’ve ridden Gangster terribly this week”.

“Gangster is inexperienced but we came here with high expectations, so our sport is humbling. He deserves to rank higher overall,” he said.

“He tries to give 100% every time he goes in the ring and I’m proud of how he performed at his first championship. He has outstanding quality, but I need to give him the right support to give him the confidence he needs. I’m thrilled with him; there’s nothing he can’t jump.”

Abdel Said of Belgium slotted between them in eighth riding Quaker Brimbelles Z. Lillie Keenan rounded out the top 10 with the Brendon Stud-bred Kick On.

There were no British riders in action this year but both of Ireland’s representatives, Daniel Coyle (Incredible) and first-timer Jessica Burke (Good Star Du Bary) made it to Sunday’s final. Daniel was placed 16th and Jessica 24th.

Course-designer Anderson Lima drew praise from riders with his colourful, technical 1.60m tracks offering a positive cumulative experience for the vast majority of horses.

“Everyone’s jaws have dropped at what a brilliant job the course-designer has done,” said 18th-placed Laura Kraut. “The Split Rock team has run an incredible event.”

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Irish showjumper Jessica Burke shares her whirlwind story on the eve of her first World Cup Final

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:59:25 +0000

Showjumping editor Jennifer Donald finds out about Jessica Burke’s pint-sized star with “frightening ability” and their exciting times ahead as they head to the World Cup Final in Texas, in this exclusive article for H&H subscribers

Proving that if you dream big, the results will follow, is showjumper Jessica Burke. Seven years ago, the Galway maths teacher decided to pursue her passion for horses, embarking on an exciting new career as a professional rider. She’s since gone on to represent her native Ireland in Nations Cups and won the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Hickstead.

But this week, after a whirlwind few months on the indoor circuit, she finds herself making her debut in the World Cup Jumping Final in Texas, competing among the global elite for one of the sport’s most coveted prizes.

While most of her rivals arrive in Fort Worth with a string of grand prix horses at their disposal, Jessica only has the one five-star horse, the small but ever

so mighty Good Star Du Bary.

It’s a proper pinch-me moment for the 34-year-old, but “we’re going there with big hopes,” she reassures.

So how did this remarkable tale of David versus Goliath unfold?

Jessica always knew she’d found something special in the diminutive grey Good Star Du Bary, known at home as Rocky, who came from France as a

six-year-old via fellow Irish showjumper Ivan Dalton. She produced him carefully through the levels, including finishing an eye-catching 14th in the seven-year-old World Championship in 2023. Last summer they represented Ireland in the Nations Cup of Kronenberg, when Rocky finally felt ready to step up to the big time.

Jessica and the now 10-year-old gelding by Rock’N Roll Semilly used Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) as the springboard for what has developed into a phenomenal winter season indoors, culminating in a landmark first victory in a World Cup qualifier, in Bordeaux, France, in February.

“Rocky had been jumping really well, but it’s so hard to get into some of those better shows – especially in the summer – so I was thinking, ‘I have a really good horse here, he’s only nine, but I have to start doing something with him; I reckon he could be very good indoors,’” reveals Jessica.

“He was brilliant at HOYS in October, then at the World Cup show in Oslo, his first five-star, he had one down, but he just cantered round, he found it so easy. That’s when I knew. I just had this really good feeling about him.

“So then I was on the phone ringing all the shows, the federation, everyone, asking where can I go next!”

The following weeks involved checking off a bucket list of prestigious World Cup venues in Verona, Stuttgart, Mechelen and Basel. But despite excellent performances that accumulated vital points towards qualification for the World Cup Final, frustrations began to build about the series of four faults that appeared on the scoreboard.

Jessica and Rocky take the win in Bordeaux. (Image credit: Biji Creative/Jessica Rodrigues)

It was in Bordeaux, however, that everything changed.

“I knew he was finding it all very, very easy so it was just about putting everything together. Jumping that first clear round in the World Cup there was

a huge relief,” she explains.

In a four-way jump-off that included Olympic veterans Daniel Deusser and Yuri Mansur, Jessica and little Rocky outsmarted them all, securing victory

with the sole double clear. Not only had she triumphed at just her sixth attempt at one of these hugely valuable five-star competitions – the first female rider to win Bordeaux’s showpiece class – she had stamped her transatlantic ticket to Texas and earned the chance to write showjumping history.

“To have patience and wait for your day to come is very hard,” she says. “So to win in Bordeaux was just amazing.

“Moments like that don’t happen very often so you have to enjoy them,” continues Jessica, who was overcome with emotion that day, surrounded by family and friends. This entourage included Rocky’s owner Liam Nicholas, who has been one of her greatest supporters of the past decade, and for whom it coincided with some 60th birthday celebrations.

That performance in Bordeaux also acted as a massive confidence boost and, having used the recent CSI5* Saut Hermès in Paris as her final prep show, Jessica arrives in Texas with a completely different mindset.

With a positive trip to CSI5* Saut Hermès in Paris under their belts, Jessica and Good Star Du Bary head to the World Cup Final feeling confident. (Image credit: Alamy)

“I feel like Rocky – both of us actually – are in a really good place now,” she says. “We feel more comfortable at that level now. We treated Paris a bit like a championship: three days of jumping, which was a lot for him, but he was brilliant once again.”

Rocky enjoyed some downtime before boarding the chartered flight from Belgium to the USA last week with Jessica’s long-time groom Aaliyah Phillips.

While the number of European-based riders travelling to this year’s World Cup Final has dropped significantly against an uncertain background of international conflict, Jessica says, “I won’t let America, or anyone, get in our way!

“Look, the world is in a bit of a strange place at the moment but, for me, the World Championships in Aachen were never the goal this year. I think it would be just a bit too soon for Rocky,” she says. “So the World Cups were my goal and maybe we’ll look at the European Championships next year.

“I’ve never been to Texas and always wanted to go. Some of my family are travelling out, too, so we’re really looking forward to it.”

Jessica remembers watching the World Cup Final as a child and, ahead of fulfilling this dream to contest one herself, she’s been doing her homework.

“I’ve studied the whole schedule, the way it runs and I’ve watched it all before. But I’m quite a laid-back person, so I don’t tend to think about these things too much and try to keep my feet on the ground. Right now I’m focusing on my young horses jumping in Cluny,” she says as we chat during the two-star show in France.

The only slight thing missing from Rocky’s armoury, she says, is a bit more experience over 1.60m tracks, but Jessica has parked those doubts.

“It would be nice if we had another year at 1.60m under our belts, but I am enjoying the build-up and I am happy with Rocky’s fitness after Paris,” she offers. “I’m in a really good position because I’m going there with a very good horse who has all the ability and I know that, if I can do my job right,

he can do his.

“We’ve competed at 1.60m, we’ve enjoyed a really good winter, we don’t have any excuses. It’s time to knuckle down and get some results

on the board.”

Jessica says there’s no indication of how much scope Rocky has until you see him over the biggest fences. (Image credit: Alamy)

Describing the “very intelligent” Rocky as “the best horse I’ve ever ridden”, Jessica says she wouldn’t trade him for anything. While he’s totally relaxed in the warm-up, he lights up with the crowd in the ring and the hugely likeable little grey gelding is developing a huge following.

“We’ve since met his breeder [Marina Storgato] and nearly everybody involved in his career,” she smiles. “When you look back at his videos from the early days, from when I first tried him even, he was always very good.

“He looks normal when he jumps – he won’t go an extra two feet in the air or anything – so when he jumps around 1.30m or 1.40m, there’s no indication of how much scope he has. But there was always a feeling of immense power.

“Actually, jumping the 1.60m grand prix in Paris was the scopiest he’s ever felt. I didn’t think he could surprise me again, but he did! There was a difficult line a lot of really good horses struggled with, but his ability is frightening really. Nobody expects it from such a small horse either.”

But while Good Star Du Bary is undoubtedly the star of the show, a new venture between Jessica and Ballyward Equestrian in Northern Ireland means her string is already expanding, with plenty of exciting youngsters from the McConville family’s breeding and production system vying for her attention, ready to stake their claim as future champions.

Jessica was based with Arion Stud in Hampshire for the past six years and in that time she amassed some great results with a high-calibre string that included her Queen’s Cup winner Express Trend, Nikey HH and African Affair.

“A move had been on my mind and I made the decision last summer,” says Jessica. “We were following the World Cups over the winter so it made sense to stay in Europe until the end of January when I started with some new horses from Ballyward on the Sunshine Tour and now in Cluny.

“But we’ll officially be back in Ireland after Texas, so it’s hugely exciting. Ballyward’s owner Brian McConville is very motivated about doing the sport and making it work, so I’m really looking forward to being part of their team. They do a bit of everything – breeding, producing – and hopefully we’ll buy a

few in. I hope it means I can stay at five-star a bit longer, too.

“This feels like a really good time in my life,” sums up Jessica with her trademark positivity. “Especially with the move home. Arion Stud was, I suppose, the start of my career professionally and we did all these amazing things while I was there. But a change is always good and I’m in such a fortunate position that I can take this opportunity and build another team of horses for the top level.

“I suppose mine is a good story. It feels like everyone is behind us and I’m appreciative of everyone around me. We’re enjoying it and long may it continue.”

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How to watch the FEI World Cup Finals of Dressage and Jumping

georgia.guerin@futurenet.com (Georgia Guerin) — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:43:23 +0000

Watch the FEI World Cup Finals of Dressage and Jumping this week and catch the world’s best at the most prestigious annual international series for the two sports.

This year the FEI World Cup Dressage and FEI World Cup Jumping Finals are being held in Fort Worth, Texas. In the dressage, we’ll have eyes on the sole British finalist Becky Moody. And in the jumping, this year has the potential to be the first time a rider wins the title for a fourth time, with Swiss rider Steve Guerdat having won previously in 2015, 2016 and 2019.

At a glance

FEI World Cup Final dates: 9–12 April 2026
Live stream: FEI TV, hosted by ClipMyHorse.TV
Watch FEI World Cup Final from anywhere: Use this NordVPN deal – 75% Off

How to watch FEI World Cup Final live stream

Live action will be shown on FEI TV, which is hosted by ClipMyHorse.TV. You can also watch a repeat on demand, which will be really useful with the time difference.

Commentary will be available in English, German, Dutch, French or Norwegian.

FEI World Cup Final schedule

The FEI World Cup Finals are being held in Texas, which works on Central Daylight Time (currently six hours behind British Summer Time).

Dressage

Thursday 9 April: grand prix starts at 7pm CDT (1am BST on Friday, coverage starts at 11:45pm)

Saturday 11 April: freestyle starts at 7pm CDT (1am BST on Friday, coverage starts at 11:45pm)

Showjumping

Thursday 9 April: competition I starts at 1:30pm CDT (7:30pm BST, coverage starts at 6:45pm)

Friday 10 April: competition II starts at 6:20pm CDT (12:10am BST on Saturday, coverage starts at 11:45pm)

Sunday 12 April: competition III starts at 11:30am CDT (5:30pm BST, coverage starts at 4:45pm)

How to watch the FEI World Cup Final from anywhere

If you’re away from home and your normal coverage is geo-blocked, a VPN will get you your usual coverage from anywhere in the world.

There are many VPN providers out there, with some more reliable and safe than others. We’d suggest using a paid-for service such as NordVPN, where you can get an exclusive 75% off, which offers a 100% risk-free money back guarantee. If you’re not happy with the service any time within the first 30-days, then you can cancel with no penalties at all.

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Former school teacher wins historic first five-star with ‘the best horse I’ve ever ridden’

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:17:42 +0000

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.

Jessica Burke and Good Star Du Bary in action during the Longines FEI World Cup of Bordeaux. (Image credit: Artiste Associe)

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 and In The Air win the CSI4* grand prix in Ocala, Florida. (Image credit: Andrew Ryback Photography)

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 and Gangster Montdesir at full stretch en route to winning the CSI5* grand prix at WEF, Florida. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

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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William Funnell says: ‘The World Cup Final is no longer as enticing for riders with bigger prize funds to be won elsewhere’

William Funnell — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 10:28:07 +0000

Top British showjumper, breeder and UAE chef d’equipe William Funnell shares his thoughts on prize money disparity and a new British star rider

The showjumping here in the UAE is in full swing, with the tour having run since well before Christmas, the Nations Cup coming up this week and then there’s the Longines League of Nations (LLN) in mid-February.

I came out at the beginning of January making it my longest stint away from home, primarily in my role as UAE chef d’equipe but I’ve been competing here too. My wife Pippa has been moaning about the weather back home, so I don’t think I’m missing much!

With many leading riders currently based here and in Qatar, the Middle East has become the winter destination of choice and it’s not hard to see why.

Last week’s Al Shira’aa International (see report, p46 H&H magazine, 29 January 2026) is the latest venue in a series that now involves Hickstead, Bolesworth, Hamburg, Lisbon and Deauville, and the show gets better every year.

Although a four-star show, it carried five-star money and Shane Breen collected a rich prize of €80,000 (£70,000) for his grand prix win.

I was surprised the Doha tour, which has been running concurrently, hasn’t attracted more riders given the fantastic level of prize money on offer there, too, but they’re not short of quality. Scott Brash’s decision to miss the London International Horse Show has been justified as he’s won every grand prix except the first one, where he was beaten by his team-mate Harry Charles.

Scott has won on four different horses, three of them younger ones, which is exciting. While Kent Farrington is also going well in America, I can’t see him holding Scott off the world number one spot for long if Scott continues his form.

In the next wave of shows in Doha there’s €1m on offer and a €250,000 bonus for the leading rider. This week alone Scott pocketed nearly €100,000 for his five-star grand prix victory.

When you look at Sunday’s World Cup in Amsterdam where the top riders in Europe were competing for a first prize of barely half that, just €50,000, you can see why they’re struggling to attract the best competitors. The FEI World Cup Final used to be like a second championship every year but nowadays many riders simply aren’t interested in qualifying.

Adding to that, the Longines Global Champions Tour kicks off in Qatar immediately after the current tour concludes in a few weeks, making it a natural progression for riders involved in that.

I don’t know what the FEI can do to make the World Cup more enticing when there’s so much money on offer all around the world.

Team action is back

Fair play to the FEI though as the first LLN in Abu Dhabi will attract the best teams in the world, competing for €700,000 in prize money.

I’ve been working with the UAE riders to build up to that competition as well as this week’s four-star Nations Cup in Sharjah, both of which are so important being on home soil.

It’s been great to have this time to work with the lads and a couple of new horses.

It’ll be interesting to have Jessica Kürten joining as Ireland’s new chef d’equipe. Michael Blake did a great job but having been a top performer herself and trainer at the top level, I think Jessica will bring a good balance to the Irish squad.

Another winning Scot

Talking of Scotsmen winning a lot, 23-year-old Sandy McLean is making a big impression out here and he seems to be going from strength to strength with Shane Breen guiding him.

He’s solid and competitive and he has the right horsepower, including London Brilliance Horse auction purchase Calixte Heartbreaker Z, so I’m sure British chef d’equipe Di Lampard will be thrilled to have another up-and-coming rider to strengthen her hand.

Joe Stockdale will also be flying the flag for Great Britain and it was very moving for me to watch him win his first five-star grand prix out here a couple of weeks ago. He rode with his head and he and Ebanking jumped two super rounds and luckily it worked out for him. It was a very special day.

● Does the World Cup still carry the same prestige? What changes would you like to see in the global calendar? Let us know at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance for your thoughts to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine

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‘More than the results, I will cherish your heart’ – five-star horse sold to the US

Becky Murray — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 13:31:59 +0000

A top rider has bid farewell to her “one in a million” ride Santos Z – as he moves on to “new adventures”.

Norwegian team rider Therese Søhol Henriksen announced that the 14-year-old Zangersheide stallion has been sold to the US.

“My precious Santos Z, my one in a million,” she said. “After nearly seven years together it’s time for your new adventures overseas.”

The pair made their championship debut at the European Showjumping Championships in La Coruna, Spain, last summer, helping Norway to 11th in the team standings.

Therese has produced the Spartacus son up the levels since 2019. The pair represented their country at their first CSIO5* Nations Cup at Sopot, Poland, in June 2021, and their first World Cup leg on home soil in Oslo that October.

They continued to compete at the top level, last year representing Norway at the Longines League of Nations leg in Rotterdam, the Europeans, and the CSIO4* Nations Cup Final in Avenches.

“So many unforgettable memories together, and I’m endlessly grateful for everything you have given me and my team. From my first Europeans and World Cups to countless double clears in Nations Cups, the places you took me and the experiences we shared will stay with me forever,” said Therese.

“But more than the results, I will always cherish your kindness, your cuddles and your beautiful soul and heart. Your bright, beautiful eyes are deeply missed in the stable.”

Therese added that Sanctos gave her “confidence, joy and memories I will carry with me for ever”.

“I’m sure your new family will love you and take wonderful care of you, just as you deserve,” she said.

“Thank you for being exactly who you are. You will always have a very special place in my heart.”

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‘While our first priority is always horse welfare, we also want to save our sport’: independent group flags ‘systemic’ issues at jumping and dressage World Cup Finals

Oscar Williams — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 18:21:42 +0000

Issues with double bridles, jumping in draw reins and a shift away from classical techniques are among concerns raised at the World Cup Finals – as stewards aim to protect horse welfare and “save our sport”.

Independent welfare group R-Haltenswert was invited to the event in Basel (2–6 April), to monitor the warm-up arenas, observe the stewards and report on their findings.

The show’s organisers said beforehand this was part of a zero-tolerance approach to misconduct, specifically targeting actions that compromise horse welfare.

“We want to offer our main players, the horses, the best conditions so they feel comfortable with us,” said Thomas Straumann, president of directors for organisers Longines CHI Classics Basel. “We ask all officials, including our staff, to look closely, not look away.”

R-Haltenswert’s lead representative, André Hascher, told H&H there were positives and concerns.

“What’s positive is that we have an organising committee who did what they said and were totally behind us,” he said. “The organisers opened all the doors, there was nothing hidden. I hope many other competition organisers follow their example.

“The negative is that sections of the audience showed there are some riders they didn’t want to look at. You could hear it [some combinations were whistled] in the arena.

“While our first priority is always horse welfare, we also want to save our sport, to have further World Cup Finals and Olympics, and if we ride and act in a way that a normal audience can’t follow us, and don’t agree with how we treat the horses, we won’t have a future.”

Although R-Haltenswert’s equine quality control (EQC) stewards – Falk Stankus, Jonathan Marquardt and Marcel Egger – had no authority to eliminate riders or intervene directly, they were, by day three, included in direct communications with the chief stewards and lead vet, enabling them to escalate “urgent” concerns.

“Whenever we had a concern, the stewards came directly and listened to us, which was perfect,” Mr Hascher said. “However, what they did afterward wasn’t consistent.

“Sometimes it was a good response, sometimes it was too little. For example, we had an urgent concern about a showjumping horse with a noseband that was much too tight, in our opinion. When one of the stewards came, he was looking but didn’t really do anything and just said it was in accordance with the rules.

“We disagreed and said there should be a two-finger check [the FEI’s noseband measuring device roll-out has been delayed until May] but for some reason, he refused to do it.”

Warm-up footage

R-Haltenswert also set up an exhibition stand, streaming live footage from the warm-up and lungeing arenas for the public to observe.

In the dressage warm-up, stewards appeared proactive, frequently asking grooms to wipe foam from horses’ mouths before they entered the ring. But Mr Hascher highlighted concerns with tack and technique.

“In the dressage warm-up, I noticed that many nosebands were not correct, and there are ongoing problems with the double bridle and curb chain,” he said.

“We strongly requested that one horse be checked again for its curb bit, and this was done immediately. However, the way it was checked was flawed – and in our opinion, there’s a partial lack of expertise among the stewards.

“What was also a pity is that many riders started well in the first 20 minutes; they often had a good seat, good rhythm, and control. But then they seemed to enter ‘competition mode’, and everything became tense.

“They pushed the horses more, raised them too high, and lost the swing in the back – and I think that was visible in the arena.”

Classical principles

Mr Hascher also noted a shift away from classical riding principles.

“We don’t see so much classical riding any more,” he said. “It’s become more mechanical, more show dressage.”

Mr Hascher raised concerns over riders jumping in draw reins.

“I’ve never seen anything like it before, and I was really taken aback,” he said. “They were using very sharp bits alongside draw reins to jump 1.60m in the warm-up – it felt quite extreme.

“Nothing happened, but it’s really not good. A lot of the riders weren’t paying attention to their horses; some were sitting with one hand on the draw reins, the other on their mobile phones, not watching their colleagues or focusing on the horse.”

Although he was pleased with the access he was allowed, Mr Hascher expressed frustration with what he found.

“I knew things wouldn’t change just because our EQCs were present,” he said. “But we had hoped to see only occasional, accidental mistakes. Instead, many of the problems we observed felt systemic.”

An FEI spokesperson told H&H the FEI “established clear reporting lines” to ensure any feedback from R-Haltenswert was communicated to FEI stewards, and reviewed by the relevant FEI director on-site, then officials, who have “rigorous training and extensive experience”.

“The FEI recognises that external expertise can contribute to discussions on horse welfare and that constructive feedback is essential for the continual evolution of our sport,” he said. “However, we maintain that all official decisions, concerning horse welfare, field-of-play matters or disciplinary actions, remain under the exclusive jurisdiction of FEI officials.

“We are proud of the high standards FEI stewards upheld in Basel. Their expertise is continuously developed, ensuring they remain at the forefront of best practices in horse welfare.

“We respectfully disagree with any suggestion that questions the capability of the FEI stewards in Basel. The FEI directors were pleased to offer additional clarification to representatives of R-Haltenswert on certain aspects of FEI rules and procedures to provide a more complete context for their observations.”

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Meet Donatello d’Auge – the home-bred, barefoot star behind Julien Epaillard’s World Cup triumph

Oscar Williams — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 07:30:26 +0000

For anyone watching the international jumping circuit over the past few seasons, the rise of Donatello d’Auge to the top has felt inevitable. The dark bay Selle Français gelding, with his powerful, short-coupled frame and elastic jump, has become one of the most respected – and feared – horses in the sport.

At the Longines FEI World Cup Final 2025 in Basel, Donatello cemented that reputation, giving Julien Epaillard the biggest individual win of his career – becoming only the second Frenchman after Bruno Broucqsault to win the title.

But Donatello’s journey to the top is about far more than silverware – it’s a story of patience, clever breeding, and the quiet confidence in a way of working that enables Julien’s horses to shine at the highest levels.

A steady start to a stellar career

Bred by Julien’s wife, Susanna Epaillard, at their Haras de la Bosquetterie in Normandy, Donatello d’Auge carries bloodlines that read like a blueprint for success. He’s by Jarnac, out of Riviera de Hus, a daughter of Hello Pierreville – both celebrated for passing on sharp reflexes and scope, traits Donatello has in spades.

The Epaillards have enjoyed impressive success with their homebreds, but they are not prolific breeders — producing just five to eight foals a year, focused squarely on the five-star circuit.

Donatello d’Auge’s rise to the top didn’t happen overnight, and that was entirely by design. From the outset, Julien has been guided by a straightforward philosophy: let the horses set the pace.

After his win in Basel, he explained how he typically begins working with horses at around six years old, once they have a solid foundation and are ready to progress. For him, this is the sweet spot – old enough for their physical development to hint at their future potential but still young enough to build confidence carefully, without pressure.

“Six is a good age to start shaping them,” said Julien. “They’re not yet in the system, so you have time to give them experience and grow them into it.”

Donatello, though, started a little earlier at five, first with Julien’s rider Séverin Sigaud, who produced him up to two-star level before handing over to Susanna, and eventually Julien himself in March 2022.

That careful, methodical development reflects Julien’s wider approach to producing horses. All his string go barefoot – a practice he picked up from fellow French showjumper Michel Hécart, after finding his horses seemed to be healthier and needed fewer visits from the vet.

He also regularly opts for hackamores, favouring simplicity and feel over complexity in the bridle. It’s a straightforward philosophy: prioritise the horse’s comfort, and build performance from there. “If you want to stay for a long time on the same horse at the highest level, you have to make sure they’re happy to go to a show,” Julien said.

At first, Donatello played a supporting role in the Epaillard string, somewhat in the shadow of the ultra-quick Caracole de la Roque. But that began to change in 2023. In January, Donatello broke through with a five-star win in Amsterdam, and from there, the floodgates opened.

The season that changed everything

That Amsterdam victory marked the start of a superb 2023 season. More five-star wins followed in St Tropez, Monaco, Rome and Basel – and, Donatello made his World Cup Final debut in Omaha, where Julien was disappointed to finish outside the top 10 in 18th.

His blend of carefulness and speed caught the eye all year long. Data from analytics experts EquiRatings showed that Donatello delivered a 59% clear round rate at 1.60m in 2023 – comfortably above average in elite company.

By the end of the year, Donatello was the second-highest ranked showjumping horse in the world. But, as a home Olympics beckoned for Julien – who was set to make his debut at the competition – he wasn’t sure if he would be taking Donatello or his other top-level ride, Dubai Du Cedre with whom he won individual bronze at the 2023 European Championships, and was second at 2024 World Cup Final in Saudi Arabia.

Eventually, he chose Dubai Du Cedre, who he rode to a team bronze medal and individual fourth in Paris.

But Donatello wasn’t destined to play second fiddle for long. Following the Games, Dubai Du Cedre was sold, and Donatello stepped up to centre stage, launching into what would become a remarkable World Cup campaign.

There were early setbacks – they missed the podium at qualifiers in Lyon and Mechelen, and though fastest in Madrid, a single rail in the jump-off left them sixth.

The qualifier in Basel, though, proved a turning point for the 12-year-old gelding. It was there that Donatello and Julien delivered a flawless performance.

First to go in a seven-strong jump-off, they threw caution to the wind, scorching around the course in 39.32 seconds – a time no rival could touch. Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z N.O.P. came closest, but even they finished almost two seconds adrift.

It was a statement victory that set the tone for the months ahead – and, ultimately, paved the way to their crowning moment at the final itself.

All the while, Donatello was topping the earnings charts — finishing 2024 as the highest-earning 12-year-old showjumper globally, with over €2.5m in career prize money.

Donatello d’Auge: flying the flag for French breeding

Donatello’s success has also turned the spotlight back on Selle Français breeding – and rightly so. His consistent performances helped propel the studbook to the top of the WBFSH rankings in 2023, underlining the depth of talent coming from France.

For Susanna, his breeder and early producer, it’s been a dream realised. Donatello isn’t just a star in the ring – he’s a homegrown success story, developed from foal to five-star winner under the Epaillard family’s programme.

“To win is special, but to win with Donatello is even more special,” said Julien, following his World Cup Final win. “He’s like family to us, we enjoy living with him every day, he’s very special.”

Donatello’s string of major wins has made him a flagship for the modern Selle Français: athletic, sharp, and mentally tough, with the versatility to win in tight indoor arenas and wide-open outdoor tracks alike.

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Gamble to glory! Frenchman wins World Cup Jumping Final, Brit takes second

Oscar Williams — Sun, 06 Apr 2025 17:01:27 +0000

Julien Epaillard’s bold gamble paid off in Basel, as he and Donatello d’Auge were crowned Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final champions for the first time.

The Frenchman had made a calculated decision in Friday’s penultimate round (4 April) to skip the jump-off, choosing to preserve the 12-year-old gelding’s legs for the decisive final day. In doing so, he sacrificed the chance of a potential fence advantage – but bet everything on Donatello’s freshness and class to see them home.

It proved a masterstroke. According to data from analytics experts EquiRatings, horses of Donatello’s calibre who skip the second-round jump-off average 1.7 penalties fewer than those that jump – and that prediction proved bang on.

“To have this pressure every week would not be possible for my heart,” Julien joked afterwards, “but it’s a positive pressure – and that’s what we like.

“The risk paid off. Donatello was still a little tired out there because it’s a long week, and we were a little lucky in the second round. But I know him so well now, and he has a great mind and always tries to help me.

“He has the experience and the technique, and he can easily jump without too much effort – and that helped me a lot today.”

How the showjumping World Cup Final played out

The Americans were the standout performers in the first round, with Kaitlin Campbell (Casterfield Cornelious), Kristen Vanderveen (Bull Run’s Jireh), Katherine Dinan (Out of the Blue SCF), and joint-third Lillie Keenan (Point Break) delivering a clean sweep of clears. Fellow American Alessandra Volpi (Gipsy Love), a podium finisher in Friday’s jump-off, did not come forward for the final round.

Ireland’s Daniel Coyle and Incredible kept the crowd on the edge of their seats, following their gutsy performance on Friday with another clear round – despite a heart-stopping moment at the final fence, where Daniel lost a stirrup but clung on to huge cheers from the stands.

Julien Epaillard riding Donatello d’Auge wins the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final. (Image credit: FEI/Benjamin Clark)

Robert Whitaker and Vermento came into the final competition on 16 penalties, and while the 12-year-old black stallion looked to be tiring slightly, Robert managed to keep the mistakes to a minimum.

A single pole down and a time fault were enough to secure their place among the top 20 who returned for the second round, where he produced a fantastic clear to finish on 21 penalties overall and 17th place – just outside the money, but able to take home the bragging rights of being one of only four clears in the second round.

Kevin Staut (Visconti du Telman), the first of the riders on three penalties, delivered a cool, textbook clear. Ben Maher and Point Break followed, surviving a rattle at the Liverpool at seven but otherwise looking rock-solid to finish clear and stay in the hunt.

Home hero Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei entered to a thunderous welcome. His round was full of determination and grit, with Martin urging Leone through every stride – even calling encouragement before the final element of the triple combination at fence eight, momentarily breaking the tense hush.

Everything was going to plan – until the last pole dropped, agonisingly late, dashing Swiss hopes. The crowd’s cheers turned to groans as four penalties were added to Martin’s score, leaving him on six heading into the final round.

Ben Maher riding Point Break during the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final. (Image credit: FEI/Benjamin Clark)

That slip-up opened the door for Henrik von Eckermann and Iliana, as the reigning champion chased a World Cup treble. But they too caught a rail at the Liverpool, joining Martin on six penalties.

Last to go, Julien Epaillard came out riding forward as ever. It wasn’t the smoothest round – the first part of the fourth combination rocked precariously in its cups, and Donatello brushed a pair of oxers – but they kept all the poles in place and finished well inside the time, stretching their narrow lead from two penalties to three.

The final round

Gérard Lachat’s second-round course proved far more testing than the first, with a tricky line from a triple across the diagonal into the Liverpool at fence nine proving problematic.

First in, Kaitlin Campbell’s brilliant run came to an abrupt end when she was unseated at fence three. Her compatriot Katherine Dinan, however, delivered a standout performance. As the only rider to jump double clear, she rocketed from 15th to eighth in the final standings – pocketing an extra €30,000 in prize money for her efforts.

Home hero Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei, first of the chasing pack, saw their hopes fade as they rattled fence six, dropped the plank at seven, and caught the middle element of the triple, tumbling down the leaderboard to ninth on a total of 14 penalties.

Henrik von Eckermann’s slim hopes of a three-peat vanished too, despite an excellent round. He, like so many, fell foul of fence nine and finished fourth overall on 10 penalties.

Kevin Staut, clear in the opening round, also caught the Liverpool, ending on seven penalties overall – easing the pressure further on Julien Epaillard.

On whether he was disappointed to go so close, Kevin said: “No, I’m just really happy, for myself – my mare is 16 years old, and she’s still improving – but also for the team, and the sport in general. I think this sport is not just great, it’s wonderful when it’s done like it was this week.

“We have a wonderful winner, who just so happens to be French,” he added with a smile, “and we have to be proud of what we’ve produced.”

Julien Epaillard (centre), Ben Maher (left) and Kevin Staut (right) atop the podium at the FEI Jumping World Cup Final. (Image credit: FEI/Benjamin Clark)

Lillie Keenan was next, looking sharp and assured in the early stages, sparking real excitement that the 28-year-old debutante could pull off a sensational win.

But the British-bred Kick On faltered through the toughest section of the track, taking rails at the final part of the triple, at the Liverpool, and at the first element of the double at 11, sliding her down to 11th overall. Still, this looks like a partnership with plenty more finals to come.

It all came down to Ben Maher and Point Break. The 11-year-old stallion looked every inch a future champion, and despite a momentary wobble at fence three, they were motoring towards a great score. But the opening part of the troublesome triple fell, leaving them on seven penalties – level with Kevin Staut but ahead on time.

That left Julien with breathing room: he could afford a fence down and two time penalties to avoid a jump-off.

Attacking the course in characteristic style, he flew into the first, smooth through two and three, and clean over the upright at four, though he brushed the oxer at five, drawing gasps from the crowd. He steadied and sailed through six and the plank at seven before tackling the pivotal section that had unseated so many rivals.

It, again, wasn’t entirely smooth, but he made it through, with four fences left and the title in sight. Then came a nerve-shredding moment: the first part of the penultimate double fell, cranking up the tension. But Julien and Donatello cleared the second element before the danger could settle in – and with one fence left, they soared to the finish, sealing the €172,500 prize and the 45th edition of the FEI World Cup Final.

“It’s hard to come so close,” Ben reflected afterwards, “but I have to congratulate Julien, to win on the first day and then keep the lead the whole way through – he’s not an easy person to overtake at the best of times.

“I had a rider error on Friday – I didn’t do a good enough job there – and Point Break was a little tired in the last round, but he gave me everything, and we had just had one little touch. But I’m proud of him and I think he’s going to be a special horse.”

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Home favourite delivers a standout performance, as World Cup leader opts not to jump off

Oscar Williams — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 22:42:37 +0000

It was all change at the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Finals 2025 tonight (4 April), as an all-new top five shook up the leaderboard, with home favourites Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei leading the way, putting in a dominant performance and nearly lifting the roof of the St Jakobshalle in Basel.

The second competition of the World Cup Finals was a 1.60m jump-off class, and Martin delivered a double-clear full of endeavour to finish 1.55sec ahead of Max Kühner and Elektric Blue in second (42.32sec), and over 5 sec clear of third-placed Alessandra Volpi and Gipsy Love (45.78sec).

Overnight leaders Julien Epaillard and Donatello d’Auge also made the jump-off but chose not to contest it, settling for sixth-place – a calculated gamble, as they remain at the top of the overall standings on 74 points heading into Sunday’s final and knew none of the other five riders could catch their total.

A home win to remember

For both rounds, Martin Fuchs entered to a rapturous home crowd and a wall of Swiss flags. But the instant the bell rang, the atmosphere snapped to total silence.

In the first round, you could have heard a pin drop as the crowd held its breath, breaking it only to gasp when Leone Jei trailed a leg to rattle fence nine – and to gently shush an unfortunate spectator who dropped a glass bottle at precisely the wrong moment.

Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei en route to a jump-off win in the Second Final Competition of the Longines FEI World Cup 2025. (Image credit: FEI/Benjamin Clark)

The tension climbed even higher in the six-strong jump-off, with every hoofbeat amplified in the silent arena. It felt a fitting backdrop for the kind of high-stakes moment that demands boldness, and Martin’s ride embodied that spirit – attacking the track with purpose to deliver a round full of heart in front of their home fans.

“It’s a very special victory for me, especially in front of this crowd,” Martin said. “In both rounds, Leone Jei was at his best, but I don’t think I’ve found my best yet, and there were a few little mistakes that he helped me out with.”

Martin, who was due to go second-last before Julien, added that he didn’t know before he went in that the Frenchman wouldn’t be jumping off: “I don’t think it would’ve changed my plans too much, I could see that Max was already very fast, and I wasn’t sure that the jump-off would suit me as much as him and Elektric B, because there’s a lot of turning in the middle of the course – which he’s very good at.

“But the risks I took worked out, and now, I’ll look at my videos, write down the things I can improve and try to deliver again on Sunday.”

Third to go, Max delivered the first double clear of the evening, with a composed round, which burst into life as he sped to the last, which he brushed but left standing.

“I’m happy with the result, but I’m also not too happy with my riding,” he said. “It didn’t feel super smooth, and then in the jump-off, I lost the stirrup at one point and missed the distance a little bit on the last, so there’s still a bit to improve on.”

Max Kuhner riding Elektric Blue P to second place behind Martin Fuchs on day two of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup 2025. (Image credit: FEI/Benjamin Clark)

In contrast, 24-year-old American Alessandra – 12th in the speed round yesterday (3 April) – clearly made a decision to aim for a clear, rather than take too many risks – and it paid off.

“Gipsy gave her all both days and has blown my expectations for the week already,” said Alessandra, who hasn’t hit a pole so far at the finals. “I’ve had her for around a year now. She’s incredibly talented and intelligent but a bit particular in how she likes to be ridden and treated in the stall, so it’s taken me and my team a while to get to know her – but things are coming together now.”

On her plan going into the jump-off, she added: “I saw the first couple of riders had rails, so I knew that a solid clear round would get us quite far, so I just planned to give her a nice ride, keep her confident, and keep the jump in her for Sunday.”

How the first round played out on day two of the showjumping World Cup Finals

The draw ran in reverse order of Thursday’s results (3 April), with Kuwait’s Ali Al Khorafi first into the ring. His challenge came undone early, clipping both the second and third fences and retiring on the approach to the fourth.

As is often the case, the second leg of the World Cup proved a real shake-up, stretching the field – early riders in particular found it tough going.

Georgia’s Shalva Gachechiladze fell between A and B of the combination at fence five but walked out of the arena unaided. His mount, Modest vd Vroente, treated the crowd to a couple of laps around the arena before being caught.

More drama quickly followed. Valeria Sokolova and Andrea Herck both retired after heavy contacts with the fences, and New Zealand’s Luke Dee and Gangster WW survived a close call after the upright at fence four.

It follows an inviting line into a triple bar, encouraging riders to build pace before the sharp turn to the combination – but Luke landed heavily, almost running out of room and crashing into the VIP seating. He recovered well, regaining balance to complete the course with 23 penalties.

Although there was no shortage of excitement, it wasn’t until the 11th combination that the crowd got their first clear – eventual fifth Daniel Coyle and Incredible delivered a foot-perfect round, to rapturous applause from the packed stands.

It was a gutsy effort, with Daniel sharp on the landings and turns, although Incredible, the scopey 12-year-old – who tackled the puissance at the London International Horse Show in December – nearly cleared the wing of the sixth fence in exuberant style.

However, clear rounds remained elusive, and by the break, only Hans-Dieter Dreher and Elysium had joined Daniel on a clear round. Richard Vogel (United Touch S) and Kevin Staut (Visconti du Telman) went close, but each hit the last.

Ben Maher and Lillie Keenan – second and third, respectively yesterday – ended on four faults apiece, while reigning champion Henrik von Eckermann looked on for a clear before knocking the penultimate fence.

What happens next?

The top 30 combinations progress to Sunday’s third and final leg of the World Cup Finals (6 April). Riders will face two rounds over a 1.60m track, starting at 2pm UK time, with the leader decided by cumulative faults across all three parts.

The points each rider has collected so far are now converted into penalties. This is calculated by taking the difference between their total points and the leader’s score and halving it.

So, in the race for the overall World Cup title, Julien Epaillard holds a narrow advantage, two faults ahead of Martin Fuchs and Henrik von Eckermann, while Ben Maher, Lillie Keenan and Kevin Staut sit just one penalty further back.

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Flying Frenchman and barefoot home-bred just pip Brit in World Cup Final opener

Oscar Williams — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 22:11:26 +0000

Julien Epaillard and his lightning-fast home-bred gelding Donatello d’Auge stormed to victory in the opening round of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final 2025, topping the 1.60m speed class with trademark flair and pipping Ben Maher and Point Break into second.

Renowned as one of the sport’s most formidable riders against the clock, the Frenchman gave Donatello the space to open up his stride across half the arena before launching into the first fence – and never let up from there. Blending bold lines with blistering pace, the pair set a benchmark of 60.3sec that proved untouchable.

“He’s like family to us, we enjoy living with him every day, he’s very special,” said Julien, who also won at this venue during the World Cup qualifier in January. “The ground here is very nice; [Donatello] goes barefoot so that’s very important for us.

“We’ve had a good start but there’s still a long way to go. I hope he’s not too flat and it’s important to go clear tomorrow and try and stay in the top eight.”

World number four Ben Maher and Point Break (Action-Breaker x Balou du Rouet) – who’s just returned to Europe after a quick trip to Florida where he won the Adequan WEF Challenge Cup – finished a very close second on 60.43secs.

Ben has earmarked the 11-year-old stallion as his next top horse, and he looked every inch the rising star here, delivering his 13th clear from his last 15 rounds. The performance was smooth and composed throughout, with barely a tense moment – until the final fence, which wobbled in its cup but stayed put.

“He was really confident and relaxed today, which is important for him,” explained Ben, who is riding with a broken foot after a non-horse related accident, and had to trek an unforgiving distance from the warm-up to the press conference.

“I‘m lucky I can ride with the stirrups in a different position so it doesn’t affect me too much when I’m riding.”

Ben Maher and the impressive Point Break finish a close second in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final 2025. (Image credit: FEI/Benjamin Clark)

On his plans for the next two rounds, he added: “I’ll just try to keep the jumps up, but I’m sure that’s everyone else’s plan too! But I’m just happy with the start, he’s a sensitive horse and it was always going to be a risky day today. You can’t win it on the first day, but you can lose it.

“But we’re still in the running and if I do my job, I know Point Break jumps clear rounds, so today was a good sign, but it’s very easy in this sport for things to go wrong.”

As Laura Kraut withdrew her two-time Olympic partner Baloutinue before the competition owing to a minor injury, and Kent Farrington and McLain Ward opted not to travel although they had qualified, the USA arrived in Basel without any of their Olympic combinations.

That left rising star – and World Cup Final debutante – Lillie Keenan to lead the charge. Aboard Kick On – a British-bred stallion by Warrior out of a Caretino Glory mare from Brendon Stud – Lillie delivered a superb round, excelling in the tight turns to secure third place.

“You want to have a strong start, the previous six winners have won on the first day,” said the 28-year-old. “Kick On is quite inexperienced so I was expecting to have to improvise but he proved me wrong and stepped up – I couldn’t be happier.

“He’s a horse with every quality you could dream of, he’s quick, careful, incredibly intelligent and has a very strong character – every time I’ve pushed him to take the next step he’s had no problem doing it, and he loves to do it.

“Just to end up here in Basel was a huge accomplishment, so to be in the top three is pretty surreal. I’m going to enjoy this moment, take it day by day and enjoy the ride.”

How the jumping World Cup Finals played out on day one

Warm spring sunshine set the scene at the St. Jakobshalle, where competitors enjoyed a relaxed build-up. Grooms and horses emerged from the tented stables to hand-graze and mooch in the outdoor spaces just across from astroturf pitches, buzzing with local schoolchildren.

But as the sun dipped and the stands began to fill, the serious business got under way.

Marcus Ehning and Coolio 42 were the first to tackle Gérard Lachat’s course and looked on for a smooth clear until they knocked the ninth.

Fourth into the arena, world number one Henrik von Eckermann – who has held the top spot for an impressive 32 months – began his quest to become the first rider since Rodrigo Pessoa to win three consecutive World Cup titles. Without his Olympic and World Championship partner King Edward, with whom he secured the 2023 and 2024 titles, the Swede still showed his class, guiding the talented 12-year-old mare Iliana to the first clear of the evening to go into the lead at that point on 61.26sec.

For a long time, it looked like their time would be unassailable; the double off the corner at fence five – a triple bar to a vertical – proved a particular nuisance.

Robert Whitaker, 11th of the 39-strong field to go and bidding to emulate his father John who won back-to-back titles in 1990 and 1991 with the great Milton, put in a smooth round on Vermento to go clear on 65.66sec; which was good enough for 14th place in the final reckoning.

Edouard Schmitz and Gamin van’t Naastveldhof were the first Swiss combination of the evening, greeted by a sea of waving flags and cheers from the crowds in the steep-banked stands flanking the arena.

They rose to the occasion – a trailing leg at fence nine caused a gasp, but the pole held, and the pair crossed the finish in 63.47sec to the loudest roar of the evening – rivalling the noise drifting over from across the street, where FC Basel were taking on Grasshopper Club Zürich.

Belgian Pieter Devos added another clear, riding Casual DV Z on 62.64sec, but the margin between them and Henrik showed the scale of the challenge.

After the break, the pace shifted. Sophie Hinners and Iron Dames My Prins lit up the second half, with seven of the eventual top 10 going after the interval.

Henrik ultimately slipped to fourth, and Kevin Staut – eliminated at this stage last year – completed the top five.

The next leg of the FEI World Cup Finals – a 1.60m jump-off class – takes place at 7.15pm (UK time) tomorrow (4 April), the third and final round on Sunday (6 April). The overall World Cup champion will be the rider with the fewest penalties across all three rounds.

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‘I’m going to need time’: Olympic medallist recovering from emergency surgery

Becky Murray — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 13:54:11 +0000

European showjumping champion Steve Guerdat has been ruled out of action as he recovers from emergency surgery for a herniated disc.

Steve was competing at the Gothenburg Horse Show (19-23 February) when he developed back pain. He contested two classes on Thursday (20 February), but a spokesperson for Steve said when he started suffering with back pain that evening he did not compete again until the World Cup qualifier on Sunday to “preserve himself as much as possible”.

Steve and his European and Olympic medallist Dynamix De Belheme finished 14th in the qualifier, and Steve earned his place at the World Cup Final on home soil, in Basel, Switzerland (1-6 April).

But on Tuesday (25 February) Steve needed emergency surgery for a herniated disc.

Yesterday Steve said it is “quite rare that I personally take the time to write but I felt the need to express myself”, adding that he had “plenty of time” from his hospital bed.

“I’ve had some health issues lately, nothing major I can assure you; just before Christmas I had a successful meniscus operation, and this Tuesday I had to have emergency surgery on my back for a hernia,” he said, adding that it was not a new injury, but had “moved and gained a lot of volume in the last few weeks”.

“The urge to ride at the first Grand Slam of the year and qualify for the World Cup Final in my country took over the reason and I tried everything to qualify first, and then yes I dreamed of shining there,” he said. “What could be more beautiful than practising your sport, especially in a World Cup Final, in front of your friends, loved ones, fans and family?”

Steve was told by his medical team that it was “unthinkable” that he would be fit to ride in the Final.

“I’m going to need time to get back on my feet first and especially on horseback. I’m in very good hands and I’m highly motivated to return quickly, but I must take the necessary time,” he said.

“I admit that it’s quite hard for me to accept after all the efforts of this winter and this obsession with qualifying, which lasted until the very last moment in Gothenburg, but the pain and fear of the last few days also made me realise that despite all the passion that I have for my sport, it is of no use if my health is not there.”

Steve thanked everyone for their support.

“My entire team at home who followed me through this difficult period every day, my owners who were fantastic and who showed me all their friendship and presence to support me every second,” he said.

“My sponsors who show me their full trust and support, and obviously my friends and family who, as usual, are always there for me and simply perfect.”

Steve added that he would like to “end on a positive note”.

“I am perfectly aware of being a privileged person in life, I never forget that. My horses, my sport and my family make me the happiest man in the world and I accept this challenge with strength and humility in order to return as quickly as possible for new adventures,” he said.

“Thank you all and see you soon.”

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Nail-biting jump-off secures top rider’s spot in home World Cup final

Gemma Redrup — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:16:19 +0000

Martin Fuchs made his first trip to the 2025 Jumping International De Bordeaux count, winning the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup qualifier (8 February) – garnering a valuable 20 points in the process, which means that he is now qualified for the final on home turf in Basel in April.

The Swiss rider’s victory came with Adolfo Juri’s supremely consistent Conner Jei, who negotiated both rounds of Jean-François Morand’s track with ease.

They were seventh to go in the first round, jumping the second of 12 clear rounds. Martin suspected his jump-off time of 37.45 sec would be beaten, which it was by both Julien Anquetin (Blood Diamond Du Pont) and Julien Épaillard (Donatello D’Auge), who clocked 36.54 sec and 36.91 sec respectively, but both rolled a pole.

“I was a bit stressed because I really needed those points,” said Martin, the world number five. “But it was a perfect jump-off for Conner Jei – fast and big – and my horse has enormous ability. There were a lot of faults in the jump-off, which helped me, but I was nervous until the end especially when Julien Épaillard entered. He was faster, but as luck would have it, he knocked down the last fence.”

Ultimately, Martin won by more than two seconds ahead of Belgian rider Pieter Devos and 10-year-old mare Casual DV Z.

“She was fifth here last year and this year she’s second, so you can say she has progressed,” said Pieter. “I love this mare, she’s really exceptional. She did three World Cups this winter and was double clear each time. I’m going to ride her in the final in Basel.”

Winner in Leipzig, Dutch rider Willem Greve, completed the podium with Grandorado TN NOP, who was first to go in the jump-off.

“My horse jumped beautifully, confirming the great things he had already shown in Leipzig and Amsterdam, but I wasn’t going to take all the risks, because my first goal was to secure the points I needed to book my ticket to Basel and ensure a clear round,” explained Willem.

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Can we bottle this rider’s winning feeling? ‘A moment I’ll never forget’ and 19-year-old horse wins towering six-bar

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 14:07:18 +0000

Much of this week’s international showjumping news centres around the sunnier climes of Florida, Abu Dhabi and Doha, but there was also an electric World Cup victory indoors in Leipzig, Germany.

Our favourite moments, however, were debutant grand prix winner Guido Grimaldi’s gleeful expression on his lap of honour, and we loved Gentlemen VH Veldhof rolling back the years to win a towering six-bar outright at the age of 19 with new rider Robert Whitaker.

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

Showjumping news: “I did my max but Willem was just faster!”

First up in this week’s international showjumping news round-up, we head to Leipzig, Germany where Willem Greve and the mighty 13-year-old stallion Highway TN NOP won the Longines FEI World Cup.

Willem Greve and Highway TN NOP win the World Cup of Leipzig. Photo by FEI / Leanjo de Koster. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Surprisingly, despite his glittering career, this was actually the Dutch rider’s first World Cup success.

In a competitive 13-way jump-off over a tough track set by Frank Rothenberger, Willem carved out a significant advantage over his nearest rivals Simon Delestre (Dexter Fontenis Z) in second, with the in-form Hans-Dieter Dreher of Germany third on another 13-year-old, Elysium.

“Today we were smooth from the first to the last, everything went to plan and we nailed it,” said Willem, who has been riding Highway for six years. “I’m honoured to ride such a horse for Team Nijhof. He’s always searching for the first distance and I just have to follow him. Richie Skillen [Willem’s show groom] gives everything to the horses, so this is for him, the owners and for everyone who helps make my job very easy.”

Simon added, “I did my max today, but Willem was just faster!”

Cousins Donald and Robert Whitaker were the only Brits in contention, both faulting in round one with Millfield Colette and Vermento respectively. However Robert, who sits in third in the overall World Cup standings so far this season, enjoyed success the previous night when he and 19-year-old Gentlemen VH Veldhof won a towering six-bar outright as the only competitors to jump clear in the fifth and final round.

There was further appreciation for the equine golden oldies of the sport when the hugely popular 17-year-old Vitiki took the Championat of Leipzig for Brazilian showjumper Yuri Mansur.

Leipzig results

If only we could bottle this rider’s winning feeling

Guido Grimaldi’s ecstatic winning smile says it all (see main image above) after he won the CSI4*-W World Cup grand prix presented by Longines at the Al Shira’aa Show in Abu Dhabi. Riding the 14-year-old gelding Gentleman, the Italian rider produced the performance of his life to claim his first grand prix success.

“This is my first time here at the Al Shira’aa Show, and it’s a moment I will never forget,” he said. “To be on the podium with such fantastic sportsmen and athletes is an honour. And considering riding is not my full-time job, this is just like I’m living in a dream. I always try to do my best, and this is such a special night.

“From Monday to Wednesday last week, I was in Istanbul for business, so I have to thank Luiz Felipe Cortizo Gonçalves De Azevedo Filho for preparing the horses over the past few days. He’s been training me for many months, and I consider their team a second family. More than anyone, I have to thank my wife for always supporting me.”

Great Britain’s Lily Attwood and Karibou Horta secured a double of victories at the show, heading a 1.45m accumulator and a ranking class.

“This is my first time competing in the UAE, and I’m delighted with the win and placings from last week. It’s nice for them to have the sun on their backs and the facilities here are superb for horses, riders and grooms. Al Shira’aa has put on an amazing event, I hope to come back again next season,” said Lily.

Al Shira’aa Show results

Jessica Mendoza and In The Air win at WEF. (Image credit: Thierry Billet)

Showjumping news: “Mom Club” sees their “unique” horse win with Jessica Mendoza

A week after enjoying an African horseback safari, Jessica Mendoza returned for week two of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) where she won the $32,000 CSI3* Adequan WEF Challenge Cup with a blitzing challenge riding In The Air.

“My horse is the most incredible horse to go in the ring on, let alone a jump-off,” she said of the 12-year-old Air Jordan mare. “She is the most unique horse I’ve had. You can’t jump her at home, she’s horse-shy, people-shy, but you go in the ring and she puts her blinkers on and all she wants to do is win. She’s all business.”

In The Air and her brother Summerhouse were found in the Netherlands where they were being produced by a young rider. A group of Jessica’s clients clubbed together to buy both horses for her to compete.

“All the moms of my clients got involved so we call it the ‘Mom Club’,” she revealed. “We had big plans for her and she’s exceeded them. I’m not sure where she’s going to go but I think she’ll go all the way.

“She has such a positive attitude. I take my time and plan everything for her. I don’t ride how I want to ride, I ride how she needs to be ridden. I think she really appreciates that. She’s so careful that doesn’t need to jump big at home; I train, work on her straightness and then she comes and does her job in the ring.”

WEF Week Two results

All-British podium

Finally in this week’s international showjumping news, we head to the Doha Tour in Qatar, where Portugal’s Duarte Seabra finished the week with CSI4* grand prix glory riding Dourados 2. But it was also a great week for Great Britain’s Millie Allen, who secured a winning double, including topping an all-British podium with Clearround IL Mondo Z on Friday ahead of Ellen Whitaker (Korlenski) and Scott Brash (Hello Folie).

“I have a really lovely team of horses at the moment, so to be able to go to such an excellent venue as Doha and get results like this is a great feeling,” said Millie.

Doha Tour results
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A skilful World Cup win, Ellen Whitaker’s cracking prospect and class sponsor collects rosette from her four-year-old son

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 17:30:37 +0000

The new year is barely a fortnight old, but 2025 is already all systems go for international showjumpers as the sport hits top gear around the globe. Just some of those headlining this week’s showjumping news round-up are winning riders Darragh Kenny and Julien Epaillard, but there were also big grand prix results for the likes of Tim Gredley and Ellen Whitaker. Meanwhile in a touching moment, Nina Barbour received her third-placed rosette in a class she sponsored from her four-year-old son, who stepped up to present the prizes in Abu Dhabi.

Read on for our weekly round up of international showjumping news and results.

Showjumping news: three wins from three shows for Darragh Kenny’s new ride

Week one of the 12-week 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) kicked off with another big win for Ireland’s Darragh Kenny at only his third show with Andrzej Oplatek’s 13-year-old Chaccossini (Chacco-Blue x Cassini II).

“Straight away we clicked,” said Darragh, who had already racked up a five-star win with Chaccossini at the London International and in a CSI2* in Belgium on debut.

The pair’s first win at WEF came in the CSI3* $32,000 Hermès 1.50m classic.

“At our first show we won a ranking class, then his second show I took him to London where he was clear in a 1.55m and won a big 1.50m class [the Christmas Tree Stakes] – and this is my third show with him,” said Darragh, “He’s a cool horse. He’s unbelievably fun and competitive. He also has this huge stride, which makes him fast against the clock.”

Darragh Kenny and Chaccossini win the 1.50m classic at WEF. Photo by Sportfot. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Ten jumped clear in round one for an exciting jump-off where Chaccossini’s “fast stride” came into play, beating second-placed Lillie Keenan (USA) on Opium JW van de Moerhoeve TN, with Charlotte Jacobs third riding Thomascourt Ballypatrick.

Saturday night’s $140,000 Southern Arches CSI3* grand prix was won by Egypt’s Nayel Nassar with ESI Ali, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse by Stakkato Gold, bred at the Hughes’ Ennisnag Stud and produced by Seamus Hughes Kennedy until Evergate Stables bought him in 2023.

“He’s 10, so this is the first year I start to ask them a little bit more,” said Nayel. “I try not to do too much with them as nine-year-olds and hope that it lengthens their career. We’re listening to him telling us what he’s ready for and we’ll keep placing him where we think he can be successful.”

WEF week one results

“McGregor jumped his heart out”

The CSI3* Al Shira’aa grand prix presented by Longines during week one of the Al Shira’aa show in Abu Dhabi, UAE, went to home rider Abdullah Mohammed Al Marri riding crowd favourite BBS McGregor. The pair triumphed with the sole double clear, finishing ahead of Great Britain’s Joe Stockdale with Barbara Hester’s Ebanking, who scorched home with the quickest jump-off round but with a pole down at the final fence.

“I went into the jump-off knowing that a steady clear would guarantee the win,” said Abdullah Mohammed Al Marri. “Of course, it was a risk, but the gamble paid off.

“McGregor jumped his heart out and I’m thrilled. Thank you to the Al Shira’aa team and especially to HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza Al Nahyan for her continued support, not only of the team but for running this incredible show.”

British success also came for Katie Speller and smart youngster Z7 Pink Panther, who landed the seven-year-old final. Meanwhile the biggest smiles of the day came when Bolesworth managing director Nina Barbour finished third in the Bolesworth International-sponsored 1.30m speed class riding Geshia Batilly, receiving her prize from her four-year-old son William, who stepped up to present the prizes for the class.

The prizegiving for the Bolesworth International 1.30m speed class. Photo by Helen Cruden. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Al Shira’aa Show week one results

Showjumping news: Epaillard continues his winning run

Next in this week’s round-up of international showjumping news, French showjumper Julien Epaillard celebrated success in the World Cup of Basel, Switzerland, with prolific winner Donatello D’Auge. The only other double clears came from second-placed Maikel van der Vleuten with Beauville Z NOP and Great Britain’s Tim Gredley riding Imperial HBF, who finished third.

“When I watched Julien go, I thought, if they gave me 100 goes at the jump-off, I wouldn’t be able to beat him!” said Tim. “I know my horse is going to jump clear rounds and the class played into my favour. All the big guys were trying to beat each other, as they should do, and I just stuck to my plan of jumping a clear round. It’s worked out nicely.”

Tim Gredley and Imperial HBF finish third in the Longines World Cup of Basel, Switzerland. Photo by FEI/MARTIN DOKOUPIL (Image credit: FEI/MARTIN DOKOUPIL)

Julien’s strategy had been to earn enough points to qualify for the World Cup Final.

“When I went in the ring, I saw the risk of turning inside fence three to the double was big, so I decided not to,” he said. “Donatello is a really special horse for me and my family. He’s in top shape and this is also why I really want to get to the final.”

Brazilian rider Yuri Mansur and the great Vitiki won the prestigious Golden Drum at the show, and Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden and Iliana triumphed in the grand prix, where Tim and Imperial HBF were again in the ribbons.

CSI5*-W Basel results

Ellen Whitaker’s cracking prospect steps up

Great Britain’s Ellen Whitaker rode the very exciting 10-year-old mare Korlenski to finish on the podium in the CSI4* grand prix on week one of the Doha Tour in Qatar.

Victory went to Austrian rider Gerfried Puck (Equitron Naxcel V) with Abdel Said in the runner-up spot with Arpege Du Ru. But just 0.16sec separated the top three; Ellen slotted into third with Tilly Shaw’s Cornet Obolensky mare, who looks a cracking prospect for the year ahead.

Scott Brash continued the strong performances from the British contingent in fifth with Hello Valentino and Millie Allen secured seventh with her double clear on E-Maitresse TVH Z.

Doha Tour results
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An emerging megastar: why you need to have this mare, who jumps bootless, on your radar

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 13:56:50 +0000

We’re celebrating two exceptional mares carrying the famous De La Roque prefix in this week’s international showjumping news round-up – one who jumps bootless and the other who prefers not to have a bit when she’s in the ring. Interestingly, both will be competed by the same rider in 2025.

Proof, if ever it were needed, that when you find the key to some of these exceptional horses, they really will jump the moon for you.

Read on for this week’s showjumping news round-up from around the world plus results.

Showjumping news: a new star is born

A nine-year-old mare who jumps without front or hind boots helped put Luxembourg on the showjumping map when winning the €1.25m Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) Super Grand Prix at the Riyadh Playoffs, Saudi Arabia.

Victor Bettendorf, 34, has formed a tremendous bond with emerging megastar Foxy De La Roque, and they produced the faster of just two double clears to win the prestigious end-of-season finale to the LGCT series.

“This doesn’t feel real,” said Victor. “The previous winners of this class have been my heroes for my whole career and I can’t believe I have joined them as a winner.”

Victor lost the ride on his potential Olympic horse Mr Tac earlier in the year, so the Armitages Boy x Kannan mare Foxy De La Roque stepped up to the top level. She has now repaid her rider’s trust with an outstanding winning streak, racking up this third five-star grand prix win in a row. News broke this week that the mare will in the future be ridden by US showjumper Karl Cook (see below). He will take the reins after Victor and Foxy enjoy one final appearance together at the CHI Geneva in December.

Finishing runner-up was the cool-headed young Belgian rider Gilles Thomas and the flashy chestnut stallion Ermitage Kalone (Catoki x Kannan), and Ireland’s Michael Duffy finished third with 15-year-old Quirex, who has made a remarkable comeback to the top level after spending four years in the field recuperating from a “career-threatening” injury in 2018. The pair picked up two time-faults in round one, but left all the jumps standing across the two rounds at just their fourth show together.

“The time-faults probably didn’t change the result too much, but it’s still a bit unnecessary on my behalf,” said Michael. “Quirex’s strongest attribute is his head and his heart, he’s so smart and he’s always giving you 100%.”

Michael also enjoyed five-star victory earlier in the day with Claptonn Mouche.

Read the full report from the Riyadh Playoffs in this week’s Horse & Hound, out on Thursday, 28 November.

Riyadh Playoffs results

Stockholm Hearts claim €6.5m Super Cup

The curtain fell on the 2024 LGCT season with the coveted €6.5m Global Champions League (GCL) Super Cup title, which was won by Stockholm Hearts, powered by H&M We Love Horses. Team-mates Malin Baryard-Johnsson (H&M Indiana), Nicola Philippaerts (Katanga VH Dingeshof) and Julien Epaillard with Donatello D’Auge won with a score of just four penalties across two rounds to take the crown from closest rivals Shanghai Swans, winners of the previous day’s semi-finals, represented by Ben Maher (Point Break), Daniel Deusser (Killer Queen VDM) and Max Kuhner (Elektric Blue P). Riesenbeck International finished in third.

“We struggled through the year but we really focused on coming here with the best team and today was unbelievable,” said Nicola, who also took the title with London Knights in 2021.

Karl Cook and Caracole De La Roque win the new Longines FEI World Cup of Los Angeles. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Showjumping news: Olympic silver medallist wins new California event

Finally in this week’s international showjumping news round-up, US rider Karl Cook and the phenomenal mare Caracole De La Roque won the inaugural Longines FEI World Cup of Los Angeles, held at Santa Anita Park, the site of equestrian sport at the 1984 Olympics.

From last draw, the duo came home fastest in an eight-way jump-off under the lights, with Daniel Bluman of Israel finishing second on another exciting mare, the nine-year-old Corbie VV, and Cian O’Connor of Ireland claiming third with relatively new ride Iron Man.

“There’s a huge advantage to going last,” said Karl about winning in his home state. “You get to see everyone go, you get to see how other riders shave time and what mistakes they make. When I watched Daniel, he was crisp, he was smooth. It was a great round. But with Caracole, I have such confidence in her speed and her ability to turn, that it was just about staying on our plan and not trying to get too far out over our skis or about breaking the land speed record. It was just about doing what I know she can.”

Karl was part of the silver medal-winning US team at the Paris 2024 Olympics and swaps the 12-year-old Zandor mare Caracole’s bitted bridle for a hackamore before entering the ring, as “it’s what she likes to jump in”.

“When you go through something really intense, it makes you stronger or it does the opposite in our case, the Olympics made us stronger,” said Karl. “I have complete faith in Caracole.”

At the end of this year, the LGCT Super Grand Prix winner Foxy De La Roque (see above) will join the stable of Karl.

CSI5*-W Santa Anita results

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A stallion with wings and what is this hat-trick winner’s top tip for success? ‘It’s free!’

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 14:28:29 +0000

In this week’s international showjumping news round-up we celebrate big wins for British riders Amanda Derbyshire and Jessica Mendoza. A shout out also to photographer Mackenzie Clark/FEI for capturing this remarkable chestnut stallion in mid-flight (above). There’s no way Ikigai was touching a pole this week! His rider Alex Matz reveals the best advice for aspiring young riders is to “watch and try to learn from the best – it’s free!”. Hats off to you, Alex, a top tip indeed.

Also this week, we are loving the fact Sophie Hinner has just won her first World Cup qualifier a week after her boyfriend Richard Vogel landed the previous leg in Lyon. That’s #couplegoals right there.

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

Showjumping news: hat-trick winner credits “free” tips after last-minute call-up

US showjumper Alex Matz, 28, had a last-minute call to attend this year’s Royal Horse Show in Toronto, Canada, but he was handsomely rewarded with a remarkable five-star winning treble, including his first ever Longines FEI World Cup qualifier with the sensational flying chestnut Ikigai, who certainly wasn’t going to touch a pole this week.

“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” said Alex, who produced the only double clear with the Dutch-bred Elvis Der Putte stallion. “I knew I had to give it my all because I had really fast riders behind me.

Ikigai came from Alex’s former employer Jos Lansink three years ago and their partnership has exceeded all expectations.

“Jos said he had quite a special horse but I didn’t really believe him,” said Alex. “Then I sat on him and he was like nothing I’d ever sat on.”

An injury last year put Ikigai on the sidelines for nearly a year, but in recent months the pair have been producing some of their biggest and most consistent results yet.

“He’s come back better than I could have ever imagined,” said Alex, whose father, US Olympic medallist Michael Matz, won the grand prix at The Royal in 1977. “I’m really proud because I’ve told everybody how good he is, but I think a lot of people didn’t believe me until recently. Now he’s proved it.”

Alex’s other two wins in Toronto came with the “phenomenal” 16-year-old Cashew CR, aka Monkey, whom he said it is a “privilege” to ride.

“You go to big shows and watch better riders to learn from them – it’s one big cycle,” he said. “McLain Ward, King Farrington, Conor Swail… those are three people in the top 10 in the world, why wouldn’t you watch and try to learn from them? It’s free!”

British showjumper Jessica Mendoza produced some eye-catching results at the show, including victory in the Brickenden Trophy on I-Cap CL Z, and Daniel Coyle’s partner Incredible, owned by Ariel Grange, was awarded the All-Canadian Cup for the leading Canadian-owned horse.

CSI5*-W Toronto results

Showjumping boyfriend and girlfriend score back-to-back World Cups #couplegoals

Just a week after Sophie Hinners’ partner Richard Vogel won the Lyon leg of the Longines FEI World Cup, the 26-year-old landed victory of her own in Verona, Italy, riding the 12-year-old gelding Iron Dames My Prins.

“This is really something very special. I had it in my mind after Rich’s win last week how cool it would be if I could win this week, but I didn’t believe it could happen,” she said.

This is Sophie’s debut World Cup season but she beat Olympians Ben Maher (Point Break) and Marcus Ehning (Coolio 42) to the top spot.

While Sophie was in action in Italy, her boyfriend Rich Vogel also continued his winning form, landing the $170,000 Mad Barn Big Ben Challenge riding the eight-year-old Levi Noesar (Zirocco Blue x Baloubet Du Rouet).

CSI5*-W Verona results

Sophie Hinners lands a milestone first Longines FEI World Cup riding Iron Dames My Prins. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Showjumping news: Amanda Derbyshire wins $100,000 grand prix

US-based British showjumper Amanda Derbyshire bookended the grand prix podium on the CSI2* Split Rock Jumping Tour in Aiken, USA. She won with Cornwall BH and tied for third with Zadora, dead-heating with fellow Brit Grace Debney riding Jesprit HS.

Split Rock Jumping Tour results

Arriba Harry Charles! Brit comes close in big money class in Mexico

Flying the British flag far and wide, Harry Charles and Casquo Blue finished third in the CSI5* La Silla grand prix in Mexico. The winner was home rider Andres Azcarraga on Contendros 2 but barely a second separated the top four riders after the 12-way second round.

CSI5* La Silla results

A bucket list win for Smolders

And finally in this week’s international showjumping news round-up, Dutch showjumper Harrie Smolders won the CSI4* grand prix of Maastricht with 12-year-old Toulon gelding Mr Tac. In a thrilling jump-off, he beat Laura Kraut (Bisquetta) and Pieter Devos (Primo DV) to the top of the podium.

“Jumping Indoor Maastricht is one of the most beautiful and atmospheric competitions in the Netherlands,” he said. “It has four-star status but radiates five-star quality.

“Indoor competitions seem to suit Mr Tac well. The length of his stride to the last jump was amazing – he really stretches out.”

Jumping Indoor Maastricht results
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A horse with a penchant for beer and Krispy Kreme donuts, and a 17-year-old stallion lands his biggest win just before he retires

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 16:27:25 +0000

Welcome to this week’s international showjumping news round-up in which we’ve been tickled pink by a winning grey with a penchant for beer and Krispy Kreme donuts and we watched one of our favourite showjumping horses, Classic Touch S, return to his remarkable winning ways. Is he the best horse we’ve ever seen? Only time will tell.

Hats off also to the outstanding 17-year-old stallion VDL Cartello, who landed an emotional milestone victory in Mexico for Irish rider Darragh Kenny on his final farewell tour.

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

Showjumping news: beer, Krispy Kreme donuts and paddock hopping prove a winning formula

At the Royal Horse Show in Canada, held as part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, Kendal Lehari and the well-named gelding Audacious triumphed in the Mad Barn Indoor Eventing Challenge, clearing a combination of cross-country and showjumping fences set by Captain Mark Phillips.

“It’s such a rush having that many people in there cheering you on, as well as my family and supporters,” said the 37-year-old rider, who beat Olympic eventer Boyd Martin (Catarina) of the US into second. “Everyone’s got your back and wants to see you do well.

“This is a really good showcase for our sport. Not a lot of people know much about eventing, so to be able to do it inside is so much fun.”

Audacious is a Canadian Sport Horse gelding owned by Kendal’s mother, former eventer Gwen Lehari, since a three-year-old.

“If you Google the word audacious, that is him to a T,” said Kendal of the 11-year-old. “He jumps out of the paddocks, he loves beer and Krispy Kreme donuts, and he’s a character. Everything is a bit too easy for him, so something like this is fun because it keeps him focused. He likes performing for a crowd, so he has been eating it all up here.”

The five-star showjumping kicks off at the Royal Horse Show this week.

Royal Horse Show results

Richard Vogel and United Touch S after winning the Longines FEI World Cup qualifier at Lyon, France. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Vogel has the Midas touch in World Cup thriller

The Longines FEI World Cup series moved to Lyon, France, this weekend, when Germany’s Richard Vogel soared to victory on the all-conquering stallion United Touch S, signalling to the crowd that it was the 12-year-old son of Untouched who should take all the credit.

“He was exceptional, even from the first round,” said Richard, in which he executed a daring short-cut to an oxer that proved pivotal when many riders were caught out by the tight time allowed. “I’m thrilled we could pull this off today.”

After a high-calibre 10-way jump-off over Grégory Bodo’s track, Richard secured an advantage over Harrie Smolders and his “once in a lifetime horse” Monaco NOP, who settled for second place.

Gregory Wathelet of Belgium now leads the Longines FEI World Cup standings ahead of Yuri Mansur, Kevin Staut and Steve Guerdat, with Great Britain’s Robert Whitaker just a couple of points behind after his win in Helsinki last week.

Friday’s Longines grand prix went to Victor Bettendorf (Foxy De La Roque), and Ben Maher and Point Break produced the only double clear to land Saturday night’s Equita Masters presented by Hermes Sellier.

“It’s a great source of pride to win against such an incredible field of riders,” said Ben.

Longines Equita Lyon results

Richard Vogel celebrates World Cup success with United Touch S. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Showjumping news: Kenny’s veteran stallion secures emotional first grand prix

At the world famous La Silla venue in Monterrey, Mexico, Ireland’s Darragh Kenny secured the GNP Seguros CSI5* grand prix riding 17-year-old Holsteiner stallion VDL Cartello, who will be retired from the sport in Geneva next month. This exceptional grey has notched up so many good results during a glittering career, including earning a berth at the Tokyo Olympics, but surprisingly this is his first five-star grand prix victory.

“Somehow we’ve always missed out on a five-star grand prix win – I’ve never gone this fast with him,” said the world number 22 ranked rider.

Darragh Kenny’s VDL Cartello lands his first five-star grand prix at the age of 17, just a month before his retirement. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“He made so many of my dreams come true at high levels, so to win a five-star grand prix on him towards the end of his career is very cool. He’s been an incredible horse for me and it’s been nothing but fun.”

Italian rider Emanuele Camilli took the runner-up spot with Odense Odeveld and Great Britain’s Sameh El Dahan finished third with WKD Aimez Moi, co-owned by Joanne Sloan-Allen.

This was the seventh leg of the Major League Showjumping (MLSJ) and in the team contest, the Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) Roadrunners extended their lead with victory on Saturday courtesy of Kaitlin Campbell, Erynn Ballard and new squad member Richard Howley of Ireland, who was in action on the nine-year-old Zodiac Du Buisson Z.

Richard Howley (Zodiac Du Buisson) chases victory for the Roadrunners in La Silla during the Major League Showjumping. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

CSI5* La Silla results

Mega showjumping pony lands grand prix double

Finally in this week’s showjumping news round-up we celebrate a mega pony with an insatiable will to win. Having secured victory in the FEI jumping ponies’ trophy at Herning a fortnight ago, 20-year-old Elando Van De Roshoeve and jockey Lieselot Kooremans, 12, of the Netherlands, made it two in a row with a superb performance in the next stage of the ponies’ World Cup in Lyon, France. Nine competitors lined up for the jump-off, including Great Britain’s Katie Bradburne (Westpoint Foreign Affair), who came home with four faults against the clock for fifth.

Elando won individual gold at the pony European championships with Jack Whitaker in 2016 and remains in the form of his life with the Dutch rider, who took over the reins from Noora von Bulow last year; fellow Brit Claudia Moore is another young rider to have enjoyed success with the outstanding gelding.

Elando van de Roshoeve and Lieselot Kooremans win the pony grand prix in Lyon, France. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“In the first round, he was a little over-enthusiastic, too excited to jump perfectly,” said Lieselot, who has now secured her place in the finals in Mechelen. “There are so many spectators here that he lost his head a bit. Then, in the jump-off, he gave it his all.”

She describes Elando as “a sensitive pony at home and in the paddock” and “quite difficult” to ride.

“You have to really hold on to ride him because he can be a bit wild,” she said. “But once he’s on a course, he undergoes a sort of metamorphosis and does everything he can for his rider. We’ve been a genuine team for a year and a few months now, so I know I can ask him to do anything when we’re in the arena.”

Equita Lyon results
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Whitaker wins World Cup and ground control proves the key to Major Tom: ‘His mind was going 200mph’

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 12:58:59 +0000

In this week’s international showjumping news round-up, British showjumper Robert Whitaker kick-starts his World Cup campaign with a scorching victory, and Team Ireland prove invincible in Spain. We also catch up with a speedy mare who lives up to her name “In The Air” while Rodrigo Pessoa reveals the secret to his coming-of-age success with superstar gelding Major Tom.

Read on for our weekly round-up of international showjumping news and results.

Showjumping news: Vermento goes full pelt in Helsinki

Robert Whitaker and the mighty stallion Vermento proved invincible in Helsinki, Finland, landing the Longines FEI World Cup qualifier after an action-packed 13-way decider.

The agile duo followed in the footsteps of a masterful performance by three-time World Cup Final victor Steve Guerdat with Is-Minka, who took an early lead clear in 37.56sec.

Robert and the 11-year-old Argento stallion, bred by his father John Whitaker and owned by Caroline and Stephen Blatchford, pivoted round the tightest bends on Jorge Guilherme’s track, flying home in 36.84sec to take the lead. Robert then had to endure an anxious wait as French rider Kevin Staut (Dialou Blue BS) looked to have gained the advantage with two nippy leaps through the double, but Kevin stopped the clock in 37.11sec for his third runner-up spot in a row.

“I prefer to be second three times than taking a risk and winning one time and then maybe having to miss the next competition,” Kevin said.

Robert, who last won the World Cup qualifier in Helsinki in 2019 with Catwalk IV, said Vermento had been “looking ahead to every fence”.

“Vermento was amazing,” he said. “I think our round yesterday helped him, when we had a fence down. He is a horse that doesn’t want to make mistakes, so I think that made him extra sharp today. He gave me the chance to guide him to victory.”

The previous day’s Helsinki Grand Trophy went the way of Swiss star Martin Fuchs riding L&L Upgrade. Martin also shared the six-bar spoils riding Commissar Pezi alongside Ireland’s Dierdre Reilly (Kafka VD Heffinck) and My Relander for Estonia on Ipsylon.

Helsinki International Horse Show results

Ireland top the podium in the CSIO3* Nations Cup on the Andalucia October Tour. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Irish team victory in Spain

The CSIO3* Nations Cup headlined this week’s action on the Andalucia October Tour in Spain where the Irish team triumphed from a mighty field of 18 countries. The quartet of Mikey Pender (HHS Los Angeles), Jason Foley on Jacksonville Eurohill, Seamus Hughes Kennedy with Esi Rocky and Cian O’Connor riding Iron Man completed on a two-round score of nine, streets ahead of nearest rivals Belgium and USA. Great Britain narrowly missed the cut for round two, finishing in ninth.

Mikey Pender had enjoyed a run of success at this week’s show while Cian O’Connor went on to finish second in the grand prix with Bentley De Sury to winner Mathieu Bourdeaud’Hui (Oscar The Homage).

Andalucia October Tour results

Rodrigo Pessoa and Major Tom land the World Cup qualifier in Washington. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Ground control proves the key to Major Tom with “newfound relaxation and maturity”

Finally in this week’s showjumping news round-up, we head to the US, where Rodrigo Pessoa and Major Tom topped the Longines FEI World Cup qualifier of Washington with a dazzling display. Drawn first of five in the jump-off, the Brazilian Olympic champion conjured up a coming-of-age performance from the 11-year-old gelding by Vagabond De La Pomme.

“Going first is always a bit difficult, but on the other hand, you make your plan and you try to stick to it, and I think I did that pretty well,” said Rodrigo, who attributed this success to a newfound level of relaxation and maturity for Major Tom, who was produced in Great Britain during his early years by Alex Hempleman followed by Ireland’s Michael Duffy.

“He always showed a lot of quality, but he’s very, very sensitive, and so we’ve taken extra time with him and didn’t want to push him as a nine-year-old. We really took it easy. The jump was always there, but his mind was always going 200mph.

“Now he’s taking his time and taking deep breaths everywhere – I can really rely on his quality. He’s one of the best horses I’ve ever had, but he really needed that time to get in his own space and be more comfortable.”

Great Britain’s Jessica Mendoza claimed a win on her debut at the Washington International. She and In The Air sped to glory in the $32,000 two-phase presented by Nissan of Bowie.

“The two phase actually worked in my favour today because I rode her in the costume class yesterday,” said Jessica of “Fly”, an 11-year-old Air Jordan x Indoctro mare. “She went fast, so it was nice to get the first seven or eight jumps just getting her back and not rushing. Then getting to do the last few jumps fast is always fun with her.”

“She’s incredible,” added Jessica, who also owns Fly’s half-brother. “She’s so athletic; she’s like a little cat when she jumps. She’s been great because I can use her for all of the speed classes and she can be used for a big class. She’s very useful to me and so careful and wonderful.”

Ireland’s Conor Swail also upped the pace to claim Friday’s $63,000 FEI speed final on veteran campaigner Count Me In, aka Crosby.

“He’s very careful and a serial winner, so it’s very nice to know that if I give him a good opportunity to do everything right, he normally repays me,” said Conor.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout Pau five-star, London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Why isn’t King Edward wearing a browband at the Paris Olympics?

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 18:50:14 +0000

Global superstars Henrik von Eckermann and the brilliant King Edward continue to take the showjumping world by storm, earlier this year clinching back-to-back World Cup Final titles – the first time for 25 years that a horse has achieved the feat – and this week representing Sweden at the Paris 2024 Olympic showjumping.

But while the all-conquering duo effortlessly scale the greatest heights in the ring, the 14-year-old Belgium-bred gelding (Edward 28 x Feo) is no easy ride and the Swedish rider describes King Edward as “very sensitive”, particularly around his face. Henrik has also revealed that taking off the chestnut’s shoes was a “complete game changer”.

The small but mighty King Edward, who was bred by Wim Impens and has carried Henrik von Eckermann to Olympic and World Championship glory, has been seen in an assortment of different bridles in recent years to help with the gelding’s sensitivity – in Herning there was no throatlash (pictured below), a nose net comes in to use at times, and at both the World Cup Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and here in Paris, they have even dispensed with his browband.

Henrik von Eckermann and the “sensitive” King Edward, pictured without a throatlash en route to gold at the World Championships in Herning, Denmark, in 2022. (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

So H&H caught up with the reigning world number one Henrik von Eckermann to find out more about the unusual tack he’s been using with multi-winning King Edward.

“We tried the nose net because he is extremely sensitive, he doesn’t like anything on his face,” reveals Henrik, 42. “It’s the same with the browband, we’ve tried going without one for a few months because he doesn’t need it and so it’s less on his face.”

Henrik von Eckermann has been riding King Edward without a browband for the past few months. Last week they won back-to-back World Cup titles. (Image credit: FEI/MARTIN DOKOUPIL)

The Swedish showjumper says about their partnership: “It doesn’t help to get nervous or stressed, because the horse feels everything and King Edward is a very, very sensitive horse. We’ve been together so long and know each other so well that I have the biggest confidence in him. He will never disappoint me. It is my main goal to keep my horses happy and motivated and King Edward is definitely a very special horse.”

Equally, King Edward, who is looked after by groom Louise Barraud, clearly has absolute belief in his rider, and we are privileged to be able to watch their relentless clear round performances in this incredible era for the sport.

“He has jumped so many clear rounds and done so many good things – it’s a privilege to ride him,” says Henrik von Eckermann, who also describes him as “such a sweet horse”.

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

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

A team of British first-timers strike gold, a year-long recovery and King Edward joins the ranks of Milton and Shutterfly

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 14:01:59 +0000

The future of British showjumping looks brighter than ever judging by the wealth of talent on show from the victorious Nations Cup pony team in France at the weekend. At the other end of the scale, we were left in awe after global superstars Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward made showjumping news headlines by producing a swathe of faultless performances to be crowned World Cup winners for the second year in a row.

It’s all happening in this week’s round-up of international showjumping news and results.

Showjumping news: British pony team first-timers strike gold

Great Britain fielded a high-calibre quartet, the majority of whom were team debutants, for the pony competition at the FEI Nations Cup Youth in Compiegne, France, where they struck gold, winning on a zero score. Hollie Gerkin with Galaxy V, Sophia Rogers (Neil 55), Cate Kerr on Cindy and Aimee Paxton riding Las Vegas topped the podium ahead of Switzerland on a score of six, with Ireland’s James Derwin (Rincoola Babog), Lauren Adams (Slieve Bloom Bella Rose), Annie Boland (K-Little Hero) and Charlie Flynn (HK Zero) in third.

“They are all team first-timers, and they rode and coped very well,” said Great Britain’s chef d’equipe Clare Whitaker. “It is looking promising for the European Championships this year with a depth of choice.”

British riders filled five of the top seven placings in the grand pix with 15-year-old Aimee Paxton finishing second to Mathilda Hansson (Helga TH O), and team-mate Sophia Rogers in third.

Ireland’s children-on-horses squad of Charlie Flynn (Elia), Ted Fagan on Consol, Robbie Sheehan riding Fubalia and Sam Widger (Jerenice Dysenbeeck Z) won the Nations Cup, where Great Britain’s quartet of Rosie Smith (Fruselli), Honey Bowes on Javas El Cid, Ted Bastian-Mason (Chacco Bay) and Lottie Adams with Khaleesi OL finished equal second.

Henry Squibb (Kimba Kasino), Ella Spencer (Gilton Des Islots) and Rosie Smith on Azolette also flew the British flag with individual victories.

FEI Nations Cup Youth results

Up there with Milton and Shutterfly

Henrik von Eckermann’s superstar partner King Edward was elevated to the ranks of such legends as Milton and Shutterfly when he became the first horse for 25 years to win back-to-back World Cup Finals.

“To be here winning two times is something I could never have dreamed of when I was younger,” said the world number one.

Read the full report from the World Cup Finals in this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, in the shops 25 April.

FEI World Cup Finals results

The brilliant King Edward (Henrik von Eckermann) joins the ranks of Milton and Shutterfly as the first horse for 25 years to win back-to-back World Cup Finals. (Image credit: FEI/MARTIN DOKOUPIL)

Showjumping news: back in the winner’s enclosure after a year-long recovery

Ireland’s Jordan Coyle won the $32,000 Equine Tack & Nutritionals CSI3* 1.45m speed class on the grass Derby field at the Equestrian Village at the Wellington International, Florida, USA – a welcome comeback after a year-long recovery from injury for the mare.

“We’d had Costa for about 10 months with quite high expectations when she got an injury,” said Jordan of the 12-year-old Componist Champblanc x Allegreto mare owned by Elan Farm, who sustained damage to her deep digital flexor tendon.

“Unfortunately, that was it for us. It’s taken exactly one year to get her back to the show ring,” said Jordan of the months of rest, hand-walks and a slow push back to fitness under the watchful eyes of Elan Farm grooms Marketa Churova and Miša Honzova.

“I have to give them 90% of the credit because they did most of the work to get her back and it was a serious job.

“She’s quite easy, so building her back was just about taking our time,” he added. “We did a 1.20m, then a 1.30m and then a 1.40m. I would almost say that she’s a better horse now than she was when we got her.

“We have taken our time because I think she’s a very good horse; she’s mostly careful, but also easy to ride and has enough scope. It’s great to have her back and now we are going to have a bit of fun and not put her under too much pressure.”

Just one Cornetta

And finally in this week’s international showjumping news round-up, we move closer to home and Ireland’s Mikey Pender made his first visit to Chard Equestrian Centre in Somerset a winning one, lifting the CSI2* grand prix with nine-year-old Irish sport horse HHS Cornetta. He beat William Whitaker on Chacco’s Lando into second, with Britain-based Frenchman Gaspard Maksud third on Ballypatrick Tiberius.

“She’s a very talented mare, who wants to do the job as much as I do,” said Mikey.

You can read the full report from the CSI2* Chard in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine.

CSI2* Chard results

King Edward writes his name among showjumping legends with World Cup Final double

Martha Terry — Sat, 20 Apr 2024 19:20:43 +0000

King Edward added yet another jewel to his gleaming crown by successfully defending his showjumping World Cup Final title with Henrik von Eckermann. At the end of three days of jumping in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh, King Edward was the only horse to go through the three classes without lowering a single pole. He won the speed class, he won the jump-off class and on the final night (20 April), he won the two-round decider.

As the only pair to finish on a clean sheet, this valiant chestnut was spared of a jump-off as the outright winner. He is the first horse to win back-to-back World Cups since Shutterfly triumphed in 1998/1999, and joins an illustrious list that also includes Milton and ET.

But it was not plain sailing, as Henrik fell off in the warm-up.

“I’ve been second a few times lately and I am sick of that, and so I thought yesterday in the jump-off I will not be second again, so maybe I exaggerated that and paid the price today because it was not as smooth,” said the world number one. “Once again, King Edward has done a championship jumping clear every day, he is amazing, and felt even better than he did in Omaha last year.

“It was a long week, and I feel empty now, like someone has pulled the plug out! It is pressure but I like to be in pole position so I can focus on myself, and not hope the others have faults.”

France’s Julien Epaillard had a fantastic “dress rehearsal” for his home Olympics, with his chestnut mare Dubai Du Cedre, a daughter of former three-time World Cup winner Baloubet Du Rouet.

“My mare has already done the European Championships, and been great in Prague and Geneva, so I came here with the plan to be on the podium but also to get to know her better before the Olympics,” said Julien, who had four faults in both previous classes. “Today the two rounds were superb, really relaxed. She has a lot of energy, which is good when she is with me, and today she gave me her all.”

Peder Fredricson was a trifle unlucky to be third with Catch Me Not S, the 18-year-old stallion whose appetite for these colossal courses has never wavered. Having been runner-up to Henrik in both the previous classes, they knocked a rail in the first round here which dropped them a place.

“I am really proud of him,” said Peder. “He was in good shape coming here and kept his form really well. I double lunged him this morning and could see he was moving great. The first course tonight didn’t suit him as it started with uprights, but the second course you could pick up a good canter straight away and I knew it would suit him.”

How the showjumping World Cup Final played out

Henrik was in pole position for the decider after winning the first two legs. This meant he’d earned the right to jump last of the 27 forward in the first round, and had a two-fault advantage over his compatriot Peder. Julien was lying third, another four faults behind.

The first two riders into the ring, 19-year-old Zain Shady Samir and 22-year-old Stanford student Sophia Siegel elected to retire after a scattering of poles. Designer Frank Rothenberger had evidently set a test. But Saudi rider Abdullah Alsharbatly brought the partisan crowed to their feet as as he jumped the first clear round of the contest. He did notch a time-fault, and it wasn’t until the 12th rider into the ring – Max Kühner and EIC Up To Jacco Blue – that anyone posted a clean zero. This moved Max up from 16th to ninth for round two.

The three British riders were all sitting in the prize money at this stage, with Scott Brash 11th, Jessica Mendoza 10th and Ben Maher sixth. Scott jumped a super-calm clear on a very keen Hello Valentino, clocking a time-fault but moving up to eighth ahead of the final round. Jessica had two down with I-Cap CL Z to drop three places to 13th, while Ben’s delightfully clean round on Dallas Vegas Batilly kept him in sixth.

“She jumped incredible today, and she’s felt great all week, but I’d been hoping for more,” said Ben. “I took a bit of a risk the first day to try to win, and it didn’t quite pay off. Then in the middle day she had an uncharacteristic fault and I was frustrated with myself. This week has been a bit of a fact-finding mission ahead of the Olympics, and we need to work on a few things.”

Once the in-form riders at the top of the order took to the course, the clears quickly racked up, with only one from the top seven faulting, making 10 in total. This was Catch Me Not S, who lowered his first pole of the week, and slipped from second to joint third with Kent Farrington (Greya).

The 18-year-old Catch Me Not S shows spring-heels en route to third place (Image credit: FEI/MARTIN DOKOUPIL)

There was a brief moment of jeopardy shortly before Henrik’s first round when King Edward refused in the warm-up, dumping his rider on the sand. But after some thorough checks, fiddling with his boots and repositioning the saddle, normality resumed. He jumped his usual clear, although a couple of rubs on the uprights hinted that even this extra-terrestrial may be wearying after a long week.

“Horses feel everything and King Edward is very sensitive, so when that mistake happened, I just had to say, ‘don’t worry, we have to stay calm and not let him feel that everything is not as it should be’,” he said. “We have been together so long, and I have the biggest confidence in him. What happened happened, but it’s the zero on the scoreboard that counts.”

The final round

Frank Rothenburger’s second-round track proved even more taxing than the first, with just six clear, including Saudi Arabian rider Ramzy Al Duhami on Untouchable, who sent the 3,000-strong crowd wild.

“I wanted to do this round for the crowd and my country, but I’m so proud of my mare, as indoor arenas are not her thing,” said the 2012 Olympic team bronze medallist. “This is a good boost for us before the Olympics which was the goal. This is the first time since 2012 that I feel really well mounted. She trusts me and gives me everything.”

Neither Ben nor Scott could capitalise on their first-round clears, knocking down two apiece. However, Ben retained sixth, and Scott dropped from eighth to 11th in the final standings. Jessica Mendoza had just the four faults to seal her first World Cup Final with 12th place.

“I didn’t expect it to go this great, it’s been and up-and-down week for everyone,” said Jessica. “I’ve had this horse since he was five and he’s my pride and joy. I’ve always known he’s had a lot of ability, but to go out and prove it is an incredible feeling.”

Scott said he’ll “take a lot of positives” home after Hello Valentino’s efforts.

“He has all the quality, the jumps are no problem but the rideablity has been a problem since day one, it’s a work in progress,” he said. “He just felt a little bit empty towards the end of the course but he’s never jumped this many big jumps in four days.”

Kent Farrington was lying equal third with Peder, but when Kent hit one and Peder went clear, it was left to Julien to keep the pressure on Henrik. Julien duly went clear, leaving Henrik with nothing in hand. King Edward certainly looked a little tired and again rubbed a couple, but he had his game face on, knuckled down and secured a momentous victory in this the 44th edition of the FEI Longines World Cup Finals.

After Patrik Kittel’s dressage win yesterday (19 April), this is the first time that two Swedes have topped the podiums at the World Cup Finals.

‘Let’s remember him for how he lived’: heartbreak as prize-winning horse dies suddenly at World Cup Final

Martha Terry — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 06:57:52 +0000

There was a devastating postscript to the second leg of the showjumping World Cup Finals when Chromatic BF, the third-placed horse, collapsed and died in the stables shortly afterwards.

The FEI confirmed said: “It is with great sadness that we announce that the US horse Chromatic BF, ridden by Jill Humphrey, has passed away during the FEI World Cup Final.

“Chromatic BF had returned to the stables after competition on the evening of 18 April and later unexpectedly collapsed. He was immediately attended to by the US Equestrian veterinary staff and FEI veterinarians but was unable to be resuscitated.”

There will be a post-mortem in line with FEI veterinary regulations.

“Tears of joy and tears of loss”

Chromatic BF, who had produced a brilliant double clear with Jill Humphrey, in Thursday night’s jump-off class, was taken back to the stables after the prize-giving and lap of honour, where he was calm and settled. He was given “refreshment and a routine shot of electrolytes” by the US team vet and died in his stall. His owner-breeder Katharine Branscomb, who has had the 13-year-old since he was born, called for people to “remember him for how he lived, not how he died”.

She wrote on Facebook: “I am writing this to try to clarify what has already begun to travel as rumours surrounding events that happened here in Riyadh involving Chromatic after tonight’s spectacular performance. After hacking normally after the class, Chromatic returned to the barn happy and calm attended by his lifetime caretaker Pepe Rodriguez and Jill. After resting and refreshment, he was given a routine recovery shot of electrolytes by the USET team veterinarian. Upon returning to his stable to be wrapped, blanketed, and put away for the evening, with me present (Kc Branscomb) the horse began seizured and collapsed in the stall. He was immediately treated and examined by both the USET and FEI veterinarians and was pronounced dead shortly after.

“As owner and breeder, I want it clearly stated that no one was at fault. The horse did not suffer and there is no evidence that his passing was in any way related to his strenuous and spectacular performance with Jill well over an hour earlier or the routine injection by the veterinarian. A full autopsy report will be provided to me at some point. But what I HOPE people will take away from this freak accident and great tragedy is that it was a night of tears – tears of joy and tears of loss. If I would ask anything of those of you that knew or celebrated him, let’s remember him for how he lived and not for how he died.”

Chromatic BF’s brilliant performance at World Cup Finals

Chromatic BF, a black gelding by Connor, was looking like the breakout star of this jumping World Cup Finals. He had not had a pole down in the three rounds from the two classes so far, and last night found only Henrik von Eckermann’s King Edward and Peder Fredericson’s Catch Me Not S too good. He was lying equal fifth in the standings ahead of Saturday’s final class.

Chromatic had only started competing internationally in the autumn of 2023 and enjoyed a meteoric rise up the ranks, having been previously ridden by Daniel Zilla and Branscomb Farms. Jill paid tribute to how well the gelding had been produced.

“I feel so blessed to be able to ride him,” she said, straight after the competition. “He has obviously had a great upbringing so he was ready to compete at this level. I’ve only had the ride a year, and this was his fourth 1.60m class, so he is very impressive.”

“His personality is so special, he’s such a love.”

Tributes have poured in from Jill’s fellow riders and the US equestrian community

Mcclain Ward wrote: “What an incredible story this horse and his people have shared to the top level of the sport. I have always thought Jill was a top rate rider and to see the success she’s had, combined with the genuine love for all the positive aspects of our sport and our life with horses from those around Chromatic is inspirational. All of our hearts break tonight with you and know the entire horse world is with you.”

Is he invincible? Laser-like King Edward tightens grip on World Cup crown

Martha Terry — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 20:37:32 +0000

It was another battle of the Swedes on day two at the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final as Henrik von Eckermann and Peder Fredricson went head-to-head for the second night in a row. Tonight the showjumping World Cup Finals (18 April) featured a 1.60m jump-off class, and Henrik conjured two magical rounds out of the peerless King Edward to pip his compatriot on Catch Me Not S by more than 2sec on 43.38. This pair were in a class of their own, with America’s Jill Humphrey third on Chromatic BF, nearly 3sec adrift.

This means that Henrik sits out in front of the World Cup Finals standings with just one class to go, two faults ahead of Peder in second and four ahead of Julien Epaillard in third. But decent showings from the Brits over both days put them in the top 11. Ben Maher lies seventh, Jessica Mendoza 10th and Scott Brash 11th equal.

The partnership of Henrik and King Edward is extraordinary. After Peder’s fantastic clear to take an easy lead on 45.45sec, Henrik knew he had to push. Low in the saddle, he raced King Edward round like a laser beam, the chestnut’s intelligent ears flicking back and forth, listening to his rider’s instructions at a blistering gallop and answering every call. The crowd were wolf-whistling as they hurtled toward the final fence, but nothing ever looked like falling.

“I couldn’t be happier with the horse, he’s absolutely fantastic – and I actually thought I rode well for once!” said Henrik, who rides King Edward in a nose net and no browband due to him being “extremely sensitive” around his face. “I took my time early on in the course, played a bit safe, and then I was a little dead on the turn back to the [second-last] oxer. So when I landed I was deep and I thought I have to go, so it was a bit of a flyer but he locked on to it.”

Runner-up in bid to turn the tables

The astonishing Catch Me Not S emphasised Peder’s statement that he feels “better than ever” at the age of 18. A contrasting stylist to the more aggressive winner, he conjured the smoothest of rounds, never looking to be hurrying. Peder admitted he “wasn’t taking too many risks, although I was going quick”.

“There had been some really fast rounds but they’d had fences down, so I thought I’d rather do a fairly fast jump-off and be well placed than risk everything and have one or two down. I knew Henrik was behind me, he’d watch me and know what to do.

“I had to start quite slowly as the distances were not long and my horse has a pretty long stride,” added Peder, who elected not to ride the grey in the prize-giving. “He’s a very blood horse and he doesn’t need any more excitement in his life. And yes, I do intend to beat Henrik on Saturday!”

Jill Humphrey said before the jump-off that “tight turns and good gallops are Chromatic’s favourite part”, and the flashy black gelding didn’t let her down, jumping clear in 48.36sec. Jill, 41, last competed at the World Cup Finals in 2007. She rode a stunning, flowing round, with the horse jumping freely and with such ease.

“I feel very blessed to ride Chromatic – I’ve only had the ride a year,” said Jill, who is based in California – 8,000 miles away from Riyadh – and coaches all levels of rider back at home. “This is only his fourth 1.60m class, so he is very impressive to have this kind of performance so early in his career.

“It’s first time on a plane and he just took everything in his stride. I thought yesterday was big, but the jumps were just getting bigger and wider today and he handled it all.

“I haven’t been riding him long, and I don’t ride him all the time, but it was just an instant bond – and he’s had a great upbringing so he was ready to compete at this level,” added Jill, who is now joint fifth in the World Cup Final standings, with Wednesday’s third Hans-Dieter Dreher. Kent Farrington lies fourth, having finished ninth today.

Belgium fielded two in the jump-off, and it was Pieter Devos who laid down the first clear, but left room for manoeuvre with 49.28sec. His Tokyo team-mate Gregory Wathelet (Ace Of Hearts) set out aggressively, clocking 47.27sec but the beige parallel came down. They filled fourth and sixth spots, with Julien Epaillard the fastest four-faulter in fifth on the delightful Dubai Du Cedre, who has a unique kickback with her hindlegs that she spreads wide before flicking up.

How the first round played out at the showjumping World Cup Finals

The draw was in reverse order of the placings from Wednesday’s competition and the early riders in round one found it hard. Two of the first seven didn’t get round and poor Zain Shady Samir, 19, knocked down five fences round the latter part of the course with London Eye, who’d jumped so confidently the previous day. The stretcher came out for Egypt’s Abdelrahman Shousha who fell off when Quincy 230 paddled through the white parallel at fence seven, but he walked out of the arena. There were a handful of early four-faulters, most falling foul of the planks at the final double situated right next to the VIP suite, including Richard Howley (Equine America Consulent Du Prelet Z) and Martin Fuchs (Commissar Pezi).

We had to wait until the 11th rider for the first clear round, and it duly raised the roof, as home rider Ramzy Al Duhami steered Untouchable 32 round this taxing track. The crowd had already enjoyed watching another countryman Abdullah Alsharbatly and Fiumicino Van De Kallevei, make them proud. But he lowered the bogey planks three from the finish when the crowd were already cheering him home. Who knows whether that was a distraction, but they were silent until Ramzy landed safely after the last. He did clock one time-fault, which meant he missed out on the jump-off, though took eighth overall.

Eventual seventh Marcus Ehning and Coolio were sitting 19th after Wednesday’s class, but recorded a beautifully composed first round here. However, this didn’t precipitate a glut of clears. By the halfway stage of the 32 initial competitors, there were only two penalty-free rounds, Marcus and Pieter Dievos (Casual DV Z). With six left to jump, there were still only four, and these in-form riders only produced three more, including the first night’s winner Henrik von Eckermann and runner-up Peder Fredricson.

The Brits were a trifle unlucky not to make the jump-off, all jumping tidy rounds, but each being foiled by a rail. Hello Valentino looked strong for Scott Brash and just tipped the triple bar with a back toe. Jessica Mendoza, jumping in her first World Cup Finals aboard I-Cap CL Z, kept her composure after an early rail at the parallel over water trays at fence four to finish with just the four faults.

“It was a long six strides, and I landed over the wall steep so pulled for seven, and blame myself for it, but he was fantastic,” said Jessica, whose time was nonetheless good enough for 10th.

And Ben Maher, from sixth place on Wednesday, lowered the middle parallel in the treble on Dallas Vegas Batilly.

The third and final class of the showjumping World Cup Finals will take place on Saturday, 20 April, starting at 1.45pm.

‘Mental fitness’ key as showjumping’s king begins defence of World Cup title

Martha Terry — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:24:47 +0000

The king proved he’s still on the throne as world number one Henrik von Eckermann piloted the brilliant King Edward to victory on day one at the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final. The opening event of these showjumping World Cup Finals (17 April), held for the first time in its 44-year-history in Saudi Arabia, was a 1.60m speed class in front of both packed stands and the two-tier VIP suite.

The defending champions had to pull out all the stops to take the €46,000 first prize. Riding second-last of the 34-strong field, the Swede knew what he had to do, and he raced round with pinpoint accuracy for a clear in the fastest time of 66.28sec.

“It was a great round, much better than in Omaha [last year], even if the result was the same after the first day,” said Henrik, riding in his seventh World Cup Final. “The feeling was better, much calmer. King Edward felt amazing jumping, from the first to the last fence, I could do it without chasing, just keep the big strides going, and save him for the jumps, so the course was in my favour.”

Henrik explained how he keeps the 14-year-old in perpetual winning form: “I have a great team behind me and we know him very well, so we know how to plan not too many or too few shows, and to give him breaks before a big occasion. He is an amazing jumper; you just have to keep him mentally fit in the head so he enjoys being in the ring, and feeling fresh.

“For me, too, the first day is a bit of mental game. If I get too hot then King Edward gets hot and that’s not a good combination, so I needed to find the flow over the first two, not get too aggressive and to take my time. Then once he’s confident I can start to go for it. I’m glad it’s over!”

(Image credit: FEI/MARTIN DOKOUPIL)

Fellow Swede Peder Fredericson steered his 18-year-old Catch Me Not S to a smooth clear for second place. Peder was spotted walking the course several times earlier in the day, and his diligence paid off. He never looked to be hurrying the veteran to clock 67.4sec.

“We were lucky to be near the end, as I saw what striding was possible; that’s a big advantage,” Peder said. “You find a horse and rider that’s fairly similar to you and see if they have a good round, copy them and try to do better.”

For an 18-year-old to be in such top form is a credit to those who manage him, and Peder believes the Cardento gelding is “better than ever”.

“I make sure I move him around a lot but still keeping him fresh,” he explained. “I lunged him in the morning, then again at lunch. I don’t do much, just keep the muscles supple. I do it all myself, because at these shows it’s really important to see the horse, know the horse, see whatever you can do to make him feel good. And then I don’t jump much in the warm-up, maybe four jumps so I save him and keep him fresh.

“On a day like today it’s really handy to have an experienced horse and we know each other so well.”

Germany’s Hans-Dieter Dreher jumped clear and fast on Elysium to take the lead two thirds of the way through the competition, at a point when a new leader kept emerging round by round. Hans-Dieter didn’t seem to be hustling, even taking an extra stride to set up for the Liverpool, but the flashy grey’s smooth style belied his speed, clocking 68.49sec.

“I’m really proud of my horse and my round, to lose against Henrik and Peder is not a shame!” said Hans-Dieter. “Normally he’s not so fast but he has a big stride.”

The final 10 riders looked to hold the key to this contest, with the world numbers one, two and three all drawn to play their cards late.

First of that trio was the world number three, the 2012 Olympic champion Steve Guerdat. He set out with intent on the grey mare IS-Minka and hit the planks at fence four to add 3sec, but the Swiss kept the round tidy for eventual ninth.

World number two Ben Maher seemed to be heading for victory until he was scuppered by the penultimate fence. He took a risk on the turn with his mare Dallas Vegas Batilly and she ploughed her back legs through the top pole. But he was third fastest with 67.16, giving him sixth overall.

Ahead of Ben was a tie for fourth place. Speed merchant Julien Epaillard hit a wing midway through the course and the rail fell, yet his time was so quick – 66.69sec – that the Frenchman still took the lead at the halfway stage of the competition even with the three added seconds. He did not waste a centimetre with his chestnut mare, Dubai Du Cedre, and while he left the arena shaking his head at the fallen rail, but he was just a fraction of a second slower than the winner.

US rider Kent Farrington risked everything with another mare, Toulayna, accelerating through the final line to clock exactly the same time as Julien’s time-adjusted score of 69.69 to share fourth spot.

How the jumping World Cup Finals played out on day one

Clear rounds were at a premium, yet both Julien and Ben featured in the top six with a rail down. Britain’s Scott Brash posted one of the early fast clears on the grey Hello Valentino, but was quickly superseded by another clear, from Christian Ahlmann (Mandato Van Der Neerheide). They finished 11th and seventh respectively. Christian said that the course-designer Frank Rothenburger had set a clever challenge.

“You have to work it out so that your horse doesn’t get flat,” he said. “But I’m so happy we had a good start, and that gives us optimism for the next day.”

Other riders to catch the eye included the Czech Republic’s Sara Vingralkova, aged 21, who conjured an impeccable round out of Kas-Sini DC, jumping clear in 74.5sec to finish 13th. And Jessica Mendoza, competing in her her first World Cup Finals, just lowered the first part of the double en route to a decent time of 71.78, good enough for eventual 14th. Prize money went right down to 16th.

World number four Martin Fuchs had a round to forget on Commissar Pezi. They were clearly going for speed, but a slightly ragged round meant an uncharacteristic two down on top of their time of 72.98 put them well out of the reckoning.

Home rider Ramzy Al Duhami, an Olympic bronze medallist who should take much of the credit for putting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the showjumping map, had one down aboard Untouchable 32 for 22nd place.

“It’s great to be at home, with this amazing crowd and amazing facility, but a lot of pressure because we wanted to make the crowd happy,” he said. “My plan for today was to try to be in the top 10. My mare isn’t the fastest but she has a huge stride so I take strides out where I can, and she really jumped well. Tomorrow is another day, and I will try to get closer to the highest spots.”

The next event in the showjumping World Cup Finals, a 1.60m jump-off class, starts at 4.35pm UK time on Thursday, 18 April.

A British first-timer, a horse bred in Scotland and the King defends his title: who’s who in the 2024 World Cup Final?

Jennifer Donald — Sat, 06 Apr 2024 17:30:25 +0000

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 von Eckermann riding King Edward on the way to claiming the 2023 Longines FEI World Cup Showjumping title. (Image credit: Richard Juilliart)

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.”

Richard Howley and Consulent Du Prelet Z, owned by Sarah Borthwick and HK Horses, land their second World Cup qualifier in as many weeks, this time in Helsinki, Finland. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

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.

Incredible by name, incredible by nature: why everyone is talking about this talented grey

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 17:57:37 +0000

Irish showjumper Daniel Coyle has been no stranger to the international showjumping news headlines in recent months and he racked up a tremendous St Patrick’s Day victory at the Live Oak International in USA at only his third show with the aptly named gelding Incredible.

Read on for this week’s round-up of some of the big showjumping news stories from around the world, and results.

Showjumping news: a World Cup hat-trick for Coyle

At the London International in December, Irish showjumper Daniel Coyle began a tremendous winning streak that stretched to his fifth five-star grand prix and third World Cup success, this time riding the aptly named Incredible at Live Oak International in USA in the Longines FEI World Cup of Ocala.

“I’ve had a really, really good experience with the World Cup already, but I think this is the first year I’ve ever won three in one season,” said Daniel, who has been dividing his time between the USA and Europe this winter.

He only began riding 11-year-old Incredible (Clinton x Heartbreaker), previously with Dutch rider Eric Ten Cate, in January after his mentor Jeroen Dubbeldam scouted the gelding for Daniel.

“Every time I go in the ring, I’m finding something new in Incredible,” he said. “It’s great that I can find that out while competing at the top of the sport. He was incredible before I got him and it’s good to know that I was a good rider before, he was a good horse before, and today I can say that we are also very good together.

“Incredible had already done some Nations Cups and some really good things, but his rider didn’t get the chance to go to the big shows every week. Jeroen said, ‘We should try him.’ Immediately we saw that he would fit with us, and he could really help Legacy. He has done that and more. I have somebody like Ariel Grange who can step up and buy the horses and somebody like Jeroen as a mentor who can actually find the horses for me.”

Live Oak International results

Mclain Ward and Contagious win the CSI4* grand prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

A winning double for Ward

US Olympic team gold medallist Mclain Ward secured two big wins at the Winter Equestrian Festival, topping the $215,000 Horseware Ireland CSI4* grand prix with Contagious and the Adequan WEF Challenge Cup riding First Lady.

“Contagious is getting older now [15] and it’s a little more work but he has a huge heart,” said Mclain. “He’s had a bit of four-faultitis here in Florida – two great grands prix with one down – but I felt that he’d jump well tonight. It was a very hot night and a quick turnaround for us. I only jumped three jumps in the schooling area because I didn’t want to let him bottom out. He dug in deep and we were lucky to go last.”

Belgium’s Nicola Phillippaerts and Derby De Riverland was the US rider’s closest challenger, with Harry Charles best of the Brits in fifth on Aralyn Blue.

WEF results

Philip McGuane and the Evergate Stables’ My Lady Van De Krekel win the seven-year-old title. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Showjumping news: young horse titles go to Ireland

Ireland performed a clean sweep of the 2024 young horse finals at WEF, Florida. Philip McGuane and the Evergate Stables’ My Lady Van De Krekel (Aganix du Seigneur x Numero Uno), bred in the Netherlands, won the seven-year-old championship, having been bought at the SLF Horse Auction in Belgium last summer.

“She’s super careful, not very big but she has a lot of qualities,” said Philip. “Harrie Smolders tried her and really liked her so we only saw the videos and ended up buying her. She came over to us in August last year.”

A winning double for Mark Edwards

And finally in this week’s showjumping news round-up, among a string of British wins on the various tours, Mark Edwards celebrated a world ranking class victory double on the La Caccia Garda Tour in Italy, with Flying Tinker II and Tinkers Tale, while Royale Tale also collected the red ribbons.

Borgo La Caccia results

John Whitaker’s new horse goes viral, a teenager clears 1.85m and a warm-up fall doesn’t stop the world number one

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 18:06:33 +0000

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

Daniel Coyle wins the $100,000 grand prix on Farrel. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

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 and Dallas Vegas Batilly are back in the winner’s enclosure. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

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.”

‘I didn’t believe I could ever win again after my injuries’: a welcome comeback and an exciting mare

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 15:36:47 +0000

In a bumper week of international showjumping news, we bring you plenty of top-flight action including Harry Charles securing his ticket to the World Cup Final, and we were thrilled to see Laura Renwick winning her first grand prix since recovering from serious injuries sustained in consecutive falls. Then not a week goes by without mention of Daniel Coyle and his incredible winning streak.

Read on for a round-up of this week’s showjumping news and results from around the world.

Showjumping news: “The beginning of a very successful story”?

Swiss superstar Steve Guerdat landed the penultimate leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Western European League in Bordeaux, France, with exciting 11-year-old mare Is-Minka. He was joined on the podium by 22-year-old Frenchman Jeanne Sadran (Dexter De Kerglenn) in second with young British star, 24-year-old Harry Charles, third on Sherlock, securing his ticket to the World Cup Final in Saudi Arabia in April.

Steve, a three-time World Cup title-holder, described the victory as “so exciting”, on this Mylord Carthago mare who was due to be sold last year, but Steve’s father-in-law stepped in to secure her future with the 2012 Olympic champion.

“We had a bit of bad luck with a lot of four faults in our first five-star grands prix, but today she showed what she’s capable of and it’s only the beginning of a very successful story for her!” he said. “The track was pretty tough – it started with two big jumps and that really backed up the horses, and then the triple combination [fence six] was very difficult but Is-Minka is a very good combination jumper and she showed that today.”

Three riders lost their chances here, including two falls, one from world number one Henrik von Eckermann and Calizi, although he later reported that both he and the mare were none the worse for the experience.

Harry Charles agreed that the first-round track was “relentless” but was delighted with his La Coruna victor Sherlock, whom he hopes to take to the final.

“He should have been clear in the World Cup last week in Amsterdam, he just had a small mistake at the last jump, but I’m happy to have put it right this week and I’m very proud of him,” said Harry. “He’s still very new at this level and he felt pretty at ease around there so I have good hopes for the future.

“I saw Steve’s jump-off round and he made it look a lot easier than it was. I thought maybe I could get him but then I realised quickly after the first three jumps ‘I don’t think I’m actually close’, so I just tried to leave the jumps up. Sherlock needs another few rounds at this height going at that speed to really get it. But I couldn’t have asked for more.”

Harry had earlier won a 1.50m five-star speed class at the show with Stall Zet’s multi-winning Billabong Du Roumois, while Matt Sampson continued his winning form from previous weeks winning Saturday’s 1.45m equivalent with MGH Candy Girl, chased home by Scott Brash on Hello Mr President.

Sunday’s Audi grand prix was won by home rider Julien Epaillard on Donatello D’Auge, with Irish riders Denis Lynch in second on Brooklyn Heights and Jessica Burke third on Nikey HH.

Jumping Bordeaux results

US-based British rider Grace Debney jumped to CSI2* grand prix glory on the grass Derby field at Equestrian Village in Florida riding 13-year-old Diamant De Semilly mare Zarina De Vidau. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Grand prix success for Debney on comeback mare: “I never have to wear spurs”

Also in this week’s showjumping news, US-based British rider Grace Debney jumped to CSI2* grand prix glory in week four of the 2024 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) on the grass Derby field at Equestrian Village in Florida. Riding 13-year-old Diamant De Semilly mare Zarina De Vidau, the 20-year-old US-based rider topped an 11-way jump-off

“My horse is naturally super fast,” she said. “I walked a plan and talked about it with a few people, but I felt like I should stick with it. A couple of people had different ideas but I know my horse really well because I’ve had her for five years.

“I was definitely worried about Tom Wachman and Mark Bluman – Mark had my time, so I was definitely sweating a little. She’s so quick though, I never have to wear spurs on her because she’s always just going and you can’t really beat that footspeed. She actually won this grand prix two years ago and then she was out last WEF, so it’s just really nice to have her back.”

Tom Wachman for Ireland finished nearly two seconds adrift on Coolmore Showjumping’s 15-year-old Lazzaro Delle Schiave.

WEF results

WEF’s $62,500 Hérmes CSI4* 1.50m classic resulted in a one-two for Ireland, led by Shane Sweetnam on new ride Irandole Du Flot. (Image credit: Sportfot)

Irish one-two in Florida

WEF’s $62,500 Hérmes CSI4* 1.50m classic resulted in a one-two for Ireland, led by Shane Sweetnam on new ride Irandole Du Flot (Vivaldi Du Seigneur x Ogano Sitte), ahead of Cian O’Connor with Eve D’Ouilly, after a 14-way jump-off at WEF.

“This horse has had a great week,” said Shane. “She only did her first 1.50m class at the end of last year so to be this competitive already against this standard of horses shows how good she is. It’s a great class because it’s not a grand prix, but it’s a top class. You can really judge where your horse is experienced and where they need more education, whereas a grand prix is a very tough class, so if the horse is inexperienced they can get lost.

“They learn a lot in these 12 weeks of circuit and it’s great to have options like the grass and the international ring throughout the season,” added Shane, who was awarded the Martha Jolicoeur leading international rider award.

WEF results

Showjumping news: Renwick makes winning grand prix return after injury

British rider Laura Renwick accumulated some eye-catching results on home soil last week and transferred that winning form during the first week of the Spring Tour in Valenica, Spain, claiming top spot in the CSI3* grand prix with a typically scorching round aboard the former Ben Maher ride Enjoy CK Z, owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright.

This was a welcome comeback for Laura, who only returned to the ring last summer and has been rebuilding her string after two consecutive falls put her out of action — in the first fall she broke her pelvis and femur, then she later broke her neck and was off for a further three months.

“I’m not sure I believed I would ever be able to win something like this again after my injuries, but this mare has given me everything,” she said of Enjoy. “It was a silly fall on the flat and I didn’t really think I’d hurt myself — I thought I’d hurt my arm and hit my head but when they did an MRI, they found a fractured bone at the top of my neck.”

Moura Tours in Valencia results

Showjumping news: Daniel Coyle wins the $100,000 Wheels Up grand prix at the World Equestrian Center on Ariel Grange’s Quintin. Credit @Andrew Ryback Photography (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Daniel Coyle makes it a big-class hat-trick

No stranger to H&H‘s showjumping news pages at the moment, flying Irishman Daniel Coyle landed his third big win in as many weeks when, now back in the USA, he topped the $100,000 Wheels Up grand prix at the World Equestrian Center, finishing first and second with Farrel and Quintin respectively.

Fresh from claiming back-to-back World Cup victories in Europe with Ariel Grange’s great mare Legacy, he qualified another two of her horses, both 14-year-olds, for the nine-way jump-off and ended up beating his own time to win.

“Leopoldo Palacios is the best course-builder there is,” said Daniel. “The most difficult for sure, but most people like that. I was lucky because I was able to go first on Quintin. He has a bigger stride, but Farrel is fast in a different way – he’s handy, neat and tidy in the way he jumps. I knew I had a good round on Quintin, but I also knew I could do a whole lot more with Farrel.”

The Irishman is hoping to represent Ireland at the forthcoming Longines League of Nations at the same venue.

“Legacy just got back here, so she’ll have a little break and she’ll start to work her way up and hopefully if everything goes well, we can get selected to jump,” he said.

Showjumping news: “I’m grateful for the entire team that makes wins like this possible”

US-based British showjumper Amanda Derbyshire credited her whole team for her four-star win with grass specialist Otto BH at WEF, Florida.

“He’s a great horse and the 1.50m is kind of his level, so I use him when I can,” said Amanda, who also finished fifth in the grand prix riding 16-year-old Cornwall BH.

“I’m grateful for the entire team that makes wins like this possible, and I love riding on this field, so I always save him for this. He’s fast, careful and very catlike and economical in his jump.

“He has a big stride so you can go forward to the fences, especially with this big field on a long run,” she added. “You can really dare him at the jumps, knowing you don’t have to slow up too much because he’s going to try to clear them.”

WEF results

Paul O’Shea and 16-year-old Emerald gelding Imerald Van’t Voorhof lifted the $215,000 MARS Equestrian CSI4* grand prix at WEF, Florida. (Image credit: Sportfot)

Paul O’Shea: “He feels as good as ever” at the age of 16

And finally in this week’s showjumping news round-up, there was further Irish success when Paul O’Shea and 16-year-old Emerald gelding Imerald Van’t Voorhof lifted the $215,000 MARS Equestrian CSI4* grand prix at WEF, Florida. Nineteen-year-old Mimi Gochman finished second with a double clear on Holsteiner mare Celine BH for owner Gochman Sport Horses.

“He’s been a super horse for me; he’s done amazing things over the five years we’ve been together,” said Paul. “We jumped double clear in the Nations Cup at Hickstead which was a big thing for me because I always watched Hickstead growing up. He also won the Queen’s Cup in Spruce Meadows and he won the five-star grand prix at the Palm Beach Masters so he’s done a lot of really good things and he feels as good as ever.”

WEF results

Rider gives up on dry January after winning back-to-back World Cups and William Funnell’s side wins Nations Cup

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 14:13:31 +0000

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 Coyle leads the World Cup prizegiving for the second week. (Image credit: FEI)

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

Australian showjumper Rowan Willis finds winning form with his home-bred Wellington Grey Goose. Photo by Winslow Photography. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

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

Tiffany Foster and Battlecry jump to victory at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo @Sportfot. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

$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

‘Like no other horse I’ve ever ridden’: meet the remarkable mare on a five-star winning streak

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 14:36:45 +0000

“I owe her so much” said Irish showjumper Daniel Coyle of the exceptional 14-year-old mare Legacy, who continued her winning streak this week with World Cup glory in Germany. Their fearless jump-off round drew gasps from the crowd at nearly every fence, and it was fully deserving of the top spot.

In other showjumping news from across the globe this week, we round up some of the action from the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Florida, and there has been two-star competition on home soil with Kelsall Hill’s first international show. Read on for this week’s round-up of international showjumping news and results.

Showjumping news: “Like no other horse I’ve ridden”

Irish showjumper Daniel Coyle was “over the moon” after lifting the 11th leg of the Longines FEI World Cup in the Western European League at Leipzig, Germany, with the outstanding 14-year-old mare Legacy (Chippendale Z x Bon Ami).

The pair had most recently triumphed in the London International grand prix but the World Cup qualifier there had been snatched from their grasp by Scott Brash and Ben Maher. But in Germany, against a world-class field of 12 jump-off rivals, they produced a scorching round that had the crowd gasping. Drawn midway, the duo set off with a daring angle across the first fence which set them up perfectly for a spin round on the right rein over the next two fences, including the crucial double. With that out the way, the 29-year-old pushed Legacy into top gear and she obliged with electric acceleration, gamely taking out strides and flicking her heels to clear the penultimate planks on the tightest of angles.

Daniel then rode a racing finish to the final oxer, scorching across the line clear in 31.70sec, the world number 14 rider punching the air in delight and lifting his hat in response to an appreciative crowd, while Ariel Grange’s exceptional mare earned plenty of pats.

Daniel Coyle says he owes everything to the exceptional 14-year-old mare Legacy. (Image credit: FEI)

Daniel faced some anxious moments, first as Sweden’s Peder Fredricson on rising star SV Vroom De La Pomme Z soared home considerably faster, but just tipped the front rail of the final oxer. Last drawn Martin Fuchs of Switzerland also gave his all in pursuit on Commissar Pezi, but was left shaking his head when the clock stopped 0.43sec off Daniel’s time for the runner-up spot. His team-mate Steve Guerdat took third on the “powerful” but “difficult” Double Jeu D’Honvault, earning the Swiss former Olympic champion a ticket for his 15th World Cup Final.

“Legacy has had an amazing jump-off round once again – with these guys all behind me it’s not so easy. I wanted them to know I’m here to play with them, I’m not just here to compete. But today’s for her,” said Daniel, who has also now qualified for the World Cup Final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in April. “There’s no horse who tries harder than her. She is like no other horse I’ve ridden. Once you ask her to do something, if it’s actually possible she will do it.”

Drawn early in the jump-off, Great Britain’s Robert Whitaker conjured an eye-catching second steadier clear out of Stephen and Caroline Blatchford’s Vermento to finish seventh and pocket a further 10 World Cup points.

The previous day, Ireland had also topped the podium; Michael Duffy headed the six-bar on O’Balou Van De Plataan.

Partner Pferd Leipzig results

Rodrigo Pessoa wins on the former Trevor Breen ride Gonzalo. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Gonzalo versus Gonzalo

In more international showjumping news this week, Trevor Breen’s former stable star Gonzalo found winning form with Rodrigo Pessoa in the $50,000 Palm Beach Equine Clinic Grand Prix at Wellington International, Florida. They were chased home by Ireland’s Darragh Kenny on Eddy Blue, with another Gonzalo, Spanish rider Gonzalo Busca, third on Cristiano Obolensky.

The winning horse’s new owner Rachel Penner is out injured so the ride has been passed to her coach, the 2004 Olympic champion, for the time being.

“I’ve been keeping the horses running until she’s back,” said Rodrigo of the 13-year-old. “He has a lot of experience, so it was no mystery to us what he could do. We wanted to put him under the lights tonight for possibilities later in the season when he goes back to Rachel.”

The $140,000 Keyflow Feeds USA CSI3* grand prix went to Richard Vogel of Germany riding Cydello, and Jordan Coyle of Ireland and For Gold landed the Hermès 1.50m.

WEF results

Showjumping news from Kelsall Hill

There was further Irish success closer to home when Richard Howley claimed top spot in Kelsall Hill’s inaugural CSI2* Cheval Liberte & Windmill Farm Estates 1.45m grand prix riding HK Horses’ nine-year-old Zirocco Blue gelding Zodiak Du Buisson Z, the fastest of three double clears. The runner-up spot went to Jennifer Billington and her great partner Flipper Darco UK Z while Fraser Reed finished third on Westbank Rio.

Kelsall Hill results

‘I wasn’t sure I was the right rider for him’: perseverance pays off for the Olympic champion and a world championship medallist returns

Jennifer Donald — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 11:22:52 +0000

With temperatures plummeting at home, we are ever so slightly envious of all the riders competing somewhere warmer, and judging by this week’s international showjumping news and results, the British showjumping horses are clearly thriving.

So who has been in the ribbons around the world this week? Read on for our weekly round-up of international showjumping news and results.

A win for Stockdale, and Cacharel’s welcome return

Joe Stockdale is making his first visit to the competitive circuit of the United Arab Emirates, but quickly hit winning form with Barbara Hester and his mother Laura’s 10-year-old stallion Ebanking (Etoulon x VDL Sheraton) in a huge 80-starter speed class, the CSI4* Equitrans Logistics Diamond Tour 1.50m at the Al Shira’aa International Horse Show – Equitrans having handled the shipping of his horses from Europe.

The duo beat Ireland’s Shane Breen on Scarteen into second by well over a second. In third was Germany’s Christian Ahlmann on Otterongo Alpha Z.

“That was a super way to start, I was absolutely delighted with him,” Joe told H&H. “It’s very competitive here, there are some good riders and horses. I haven’t done this tour before but it’s great to get going outdoors earlier than normal and the horses are all fresh and loving it.”

After a six-month spell on the sidelines, it was great also great to see Joe’s world championship bronze medal-winning partner Equine America Cacharel back in the ring.

“I was just steady with her this week and we’ll play it by ear,” said Joe. “I came on this tour a bit with her in mind because I wanted to get her going after such a long time off. It wasn’t an injury or a lameness as such, it was just something minor, but enough that we wanted to be very cautious with her and get it right, rather than carry on jumping her and for it to develop into something major. So we decided to do a complete reset and come back when we knew everything was 100%. We played around with her shoeing and did MRIs and worked with the British vets, just to make sure it’s all where it should be. It’s really nice to have her back.”

Joe has also teamed up with a new eight-year-old, Laska JDV (Gaspahr x Namelus R), who was previously ridden by young Slovenian rider Gaj Riossa and caught Joe’s eye in Oliva at the end of last year.

“I literally only had him a couple of weeks before I brought him here, but I thought this tour would be a great start for him in terms of getting to know each other,” said Joe, who will be based in the UAE for the next six weeks and has been picked for the first of the region’s four-star Nations Cups in Sharjah at the end of the month on Ebanking.

“Laska is quite big so he’s got a bit of developing to do, but I have high hopes for him, he’s showed a lot of promise already. He’s a lovely horse to have in the stable, he has a great brain and he’s a joy to work with.

“The shows here so far have been top notch, really well organised, so it’s great to be here and so far, so good.”

The winner of the show’s CSI4*-W Longines Al Shira’aa FEI Jumping World Cup Grand Prix was Sophie Hinners from Germany riding nine-year-old Sinclair.

Al Shira’aa International Horse Show results

Ben Maher wins the CSI3* grand prix on Enjeu De Grisien (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Maher resumes his winning ways

Fresh from their World Cup success at the London International last month, Ben Maher and Enjeu De Grisien (Toulon x Andiamo) wowed the Florida crowd with victory in Saturday’s $140,000 Southern Arches CSI3* grand prix in week one of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Ben co-owns Enjeu with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright and the duo beat US Olympic team gold medallist McLain Ward into second on First Lady.

“Enjeu is 10 now, we bought him when he was seven and he was a difficult young horse – very active and almost too much power for the body he has,” said Ben. “I struggled to get him under control and we were on different paths for a while, he didn’t really understand me and I didn’t understand him, but all of a sudden it just clicked. He was always a very talented horse – I just wasn’t sure I was the right rider for him. But as a rider we have to adapt and we have to understand our horses and change to what they like. We made those changes and one day to the next, it worked and he’s continued on to be in great form.

“At the moment I actually have a group of horses that are all ready to go like this. It’s the best team of horses I’ve ever had here. I’m very fortunate that I have multiple horses at the moment that can do this, so I’m just going to be careful, selective, not overjump them and make sure that we can have the best WEF possible without using the horses too much for the rest of the season.”

WEF results

A winning double for Kenny

Ireland’s Darragh Kenny secured a winning double at WEF, opening with victory on Irwin, an 11-year-old Kannan stallion, whom he describes as “an incredible horse”, then steering nine-year-old Serendepety (Emely x Escudo I) to victory in the $32,000 speed class

“These 1.45m speed classes [at WEF] are incredibly competitive and fast,” he admitted. “With such a large field of high talent it’s a bit of a luck of the draw of who gets the prize that day. That being said, I knew I could count on this mare to be quick and careful, so I followed the planned track and it ended up being enough.

“We bought her when she was five, then trained her until she was seven,” said Darragh, who now owns the mare in partnership with German Olympic champion Ludger Beerbaum. “The idea for her is to continue working towards the highest level, and so far it looks promising. I think she’s quite special. She’s a really careful but quick horse, and so much fun to ride. Over the past several years we’ve taken our time with her; there’s no rush in her success but we would love to step her up possibly into the 1.50m over the next few months and see how it goes.”

Mr President kicks off with a win

Scott Brash and Hello Mr President made a winning start to 2024, taking the CSI2& 1.45m grand prix on Spring MET in Oliva, Spain, after a 10-way jump-off.

“It was a nice class with a well-built course,” said Scott. “In the jump-off, my plan was just to keep it tight and smooth. Hello Mr President is a very fast horse naturally, so if I can let him run and jump, that suits him well. I’m happy with how he’s feeling at the moment.”

Pieter Devos and Mom’s Toupie De La Roque win the World Cup qualifier of Basel, Switzerland. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Teenage mare lands the World Cup of Basel

Belgium’s Pieter Devos and his barefoot 17-year-old mare Mom’s Toupie De La Roque won the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup of Basel, Switzerland. The pair were drawn third and produced one of just two double clears, quicker than Switzerland’s Janika Sprunger with Orelie.

“It’s the first show of the year and this gives a lot of confidence,” said Pieter. “It’s an important year, an Olympic year, and I’m going to do everything to be in the team and to have a fantastic year – like it started!

“She is still very fresh so I think she has a good season in front of her. We will for sure do everything to go to the World Cup Final – we now have to make a good plan for that but also for the season and for Paris this summer.”

Basel results

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

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 17 Dec 2023 18:17:16 +0000

The London International Horse Show crowd was treated to a spectacle of sport such as is rarely witnessed, when Ben Maher and Enjeu De Grisien triumphed in a spectacular Longines World Cup jump-off.

The fact speed merchant Julien Epaillard finished fifth, on Donatello D’Auge, showed how fast the others had gone, and the lead changed hands three times in the last four rounds, with both Daniel Coyle (Legacy) and Scott Brash (Hello Jefferson) briefly powering to the front.

Watch Ben talk about his winning round in the video below

Julien, as is his wont, had put in a round that looked unbeatable on the 10-year-old gelding, and he held his lead despite strong challenges from Matt Sampson (Ebolensky) and Max Kuhner (EIC Up Toon Jacco Blue). Then Daniel came in and set the ring alight, turning the 13-year-old mare tighter and galloping faster than, surely, was possible. He took a second off Julien’s time, and looked set to take the title.

But Scott was to come, and he and his 2021 Olympic ride, back to his brilliant best, put their collective foot down, jumping the vast Agria oxer before the final line at an acute angle, and taking a fifth of a second off Daniel’s time. This must be the round that secured Scott and Jefferson their second London World Cup in a row – but Ben was still to come.

The nine-year-old gelding, owned by Ben, Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright, showed huge maturity, and Ben his superb horsemanship, as the crowd bellowed them down the long gallop to the last. As they finished half a second ahead of Scott, the roof of the ExCeL must have lifted.

“This is the class everyone wants to win,” Ben said. “It’s a great time of year and that’s as good sport as you’ll have seen anywhere in a long time.”

Ben has been riding the horse three years but it took time for the partnership to click.

“He was always a very talented, high-energy horse but we had a bit of a problem taming him,” he said. “He was a bit of a wild beast, a lot of energy in a small package, and I was frustrated with myself as a horseman because I thought he didn’t like me. But we kept going and figured it out, then today – it’s all there and it’s very exciting.”

Scott was delighted with Jefferson; Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham’s 14-year-old had had a break after Spruce Meadows in September, and had lost some muscle.

“It took time to get him back, then he went to Geneva last week and jumped good, but here he feels back on form,” he said. “I’m delighted he’s back where he can be.”

Watch Scott speak to H&H in the video below

Scott added that the electric atmosphere of the ExCeL is something very special.

“I think it brings out the best in the British riders; you want to give it your all,” he said. “I think that brings out the top sport.

“My horse jumped amazing, I’m delighted with him, and fair play to Ben, he jumped a fantastic round to win.”

Daniel and the 13-year-old mare he owns with Ariel Grange were the first to take a stride out between the double and the Liverpool; he said he knew something special would be needed to win the class.

“This time of year she seems to become a different animal, but if you ride her correctly she usually jumps like she did today,” he said. “I’m very lucky to have her. I probably could have cut the turns a little tighter, but after my round I just thought if I win, great, but if not, it’s not meant to be. Ben and Scott were brilliant, and the crowd got to witness the best sport you can get. I have loved my first time competing at the London International Horse Show, and I will certainly be back.”

Watch Daniel chat to H&H

‘There are good horses and great horses – he is one of the greats’: British rider enjoys remarkable weekend

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 17:28:27 +0000

Great Britain’s Harry Charles continued his excellent run of form with two superb victories with rising star Sherlock and speed demon Billabong Du Roumois at the CSI5*-W La Coruna, Spain, this weekend (1-3 December).

Victory with Sherlock in the World Cup qualifier put the Hampshire rider top of the Longines FEI World Cup Western European league standings and he looks all set to contest his third World Cup Final in Saudi Arabia in April.

A huge field of 14 made it through to the jump-off for Sunday’s feature class, the World Cup qualifier. Harry had originally planned to give Sherlock “a building round for the future” rather than go all out for victory with his father Peter’s 10-year-old, who is still new to the level. However the poles kept falling for his rivals round a tricky track set by Javier Trenor and only two had gone clear when last-drawn Harry entered the ring.

“The day before, I’d been in the jump-off with Billabong Du Roumois, who is the fastest horse in the world, and I was really annoyed with myself because I nearly had it won but I just took too much of a risk to the last line and had both jumps down – I ride to win,” explained Harry. “But I said if I get in the jump-off on Sherlock, I need to remember I’m not on Billabong, I just wanted to give him a nice experience.

“He jumped the first round really well, but you could just feel he was a bit cautious, trying to work it out a bit, because it was big. You don’t see jump-offs like that and Jack Whitaker was in the ring helping me and he said, ‘Whatever you do, don’t come out of the ring having knocked a jump down’. I set myself a target and when I saw Willem Greve jump before me and have one down, I said to Georgia Ellwood [Harry’s groom], ‘We’ll win this!’,” said the 24-year-old.

The pair executed some remarkable turns and soared sky-high over the final airy vertical to stop the clock nearly a second faster than Austria’s Max Kuhner on EIC Julius Caesar, with Spain’s Armando Trapote finishing third on Tornado VS.

Harry Charles and Sherlock in action en route to winning the Longines FEI World Cup qualifier of La Coruna, Spain. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Harry Charles on Sherlock: “He’s such an intelligent horse”

The world number 14, who leads a British one-two ahead of Ben Maher in the World Cup standings, punched the air in delight after crossing the line.

“It probably wasn’t the prettiest round I’ve ever ridden – I had to hustle and bustle a little bit and when I finished the emotion came out a bit but I couldn’t really help it because I couldn’t quite believe it!” he said.

“Sherlock is jumping well but he’s not the fastest just yet – but he’s not slow either. You have good horses and great horses, and I never had any doubt that he’d be one of the great ones – I just didn’t think it would be this quick,” said Harry, who finished second in the class last year on Casquo Blue.

“He’s won two of the last three grands prix he’s done. But even from the start of the year when he was doing the three-star grands prix down in Oliva, he was green and spooky and having two down, one down, but I was always delighted with him because he took it all so well. He’s such an intelligent horse, he doesn’t get stressed, he doesn’t worry – he’s actually very lazy to ride until he comes in the ring, then he lights up.”

Harry finishes the year at CHI Geneva this week, then brings Romeo 88, Billabong and Casquo to the London International, saving Sherlock for the World Cup Final.

“He still wants a few more rounds experience-wise, so with the pressure off to qualify for the final, I might take him to one more World Cup just to get a bit more mileage into him,” said Harry, who also achieved the outstanding feat of beating lightning-quick French rider Julien Epaillard to win the 1.50m Caixabank Trophy against the clock with Stall Zet’s Billabong Du Roumois on Friday night.

“That was the first time I’ve ever beaten Julien in any kind of speed class, it’s not easy to do!” said Harry. “But it’s easier when you’re on Billabong.”

‘I’m getting old, but I’m still here!’: A legend wins, a 6ft3in fence and a horse called Coolio

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 12:07:09 +0000

We may be drawing towards the end of the calendar year, but there’s no let-up in the international circuit with this week’s showjumping news round-up focusing on the CSI5-W* show in Madrid, Spain, where two showjumping greats battled it out for top honours, while riders were also in action from as far afield as Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

So who finished in the ribbons this week? Here is your weekly round-up of international showjumping news and results.

Marcus Ehning: ‘I’m getting old, but I’m still here!’

Making the headlines in this week’s showjumping news was the battle between two showjumping greats in the Longines FEI World Cup qualifier of Madrid, Spain. Just 0.25sec separated Marcus Ehning on new ride Coolio 42 and Ben Maher with Enjeu De Grisien, but it was the German master, a three-time winner of the World Cup Final, who took top honours with an exceptional performance against the clock.

“Winning here for the third time means I am getting old, but I’m still here!” said the 49-year-old.

Talking about the eye-catching and brilliantly named 10-year-old son of Casalito, who was produced by Marcel Marschall and who Marcus only started riding three months ago, he said, “It is only his second World Cup, so I am very pleased with him.”

There was drama in the 10-way jump-off when a couple of horse-and-rider combinations veered off the bending line to the final oxer and it resulted in elimination for poor Kevin Staut when Visconti locked on to the wrong fence.

An in-form Ben Maher, who won the Verona leg of the Longines FEI World Cup qualifiers, was competing at just his second five-star grand prix with the nine-year-old, a five-star winner at Spruce Meadows earlier this year.

“I did everything I could, there were one or two places that didn’t go exactly as I wanted but it was a difficult course in the jump-off,” said the Olympic champion. “We saw some amazing riders make mistakes, and Marcus just got me there at the last jump, I think!”

Madrid World Cup results

Ben Maher with Enjeu De Grisien in action in Madrid. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Showjumping news: a quality podium in Rouen

The CSI4* grand prix to conclude Equiseine Rouen in France resulted in a victory for home rider Penelope Leprevost riding 12-year-old Texas, a Swedish-bred son of Tornesch 1042. Chasing her home was Ireland’s Jessica Burke with the speedy Express Trend, while Tim Gredley was back on the podium with his great championship horse Medoc De Toxandria. Robert Whitaker also finished in the ribbons at the show with Caroline Blatchford’s Vermento, and Robert Murphy won Saturday’s speed class with Jos Lansink’s Hulde G.

Equiseine Rouen results

A 6ft3in six-bar thriller

Back at IFEMA Madrid Horse Week, Friday’s six-bar kept the crowds thoroughly entertained and resulted in a high-flying victory for Austrian showjumper Max Kuhner. He and the 10-year-old EIC Cooley Jump The Q were the only pair to clear the final vertical set at a sky-high 1.90m (6ft3in).

IFEMA Madrid Horse Week results

Max Kuhner and EIC Cooley Jump The Q clear 1.90m to win the six-bar in Madrid. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Showjumping news: grand prix success

At Sentower Park, Belgium, Irish showjumper Bertram Allen was the winner of the CSI2* 1.45m Prijs Zangersheide International grand prix riding the 10-year-old stallion Castigo De Amor, while Noora von Bulow and Interstar B were among the other winners for Great Britain, winning a 1.40m speed class. There was further British success on the Barcelona Christmas Tour, where Jessica Hewlett and Ilmar HDC triumphed in the CSI2* grand prix after a six-way jump-off.

Harry Charles enjoys ‘one of the best shows of my career’ and a treble clear helps Great Britain celebrate

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 16:38:58 +0000

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.”

Julien Epaillard and Dubai Du Cedre of France are crowned Longines Super Grand Prix victors 2023. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

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).

Eoin McMahon and Mila jump double clear in the Super Cup Final to help Riesenbeck International secure victory. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“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 Simpson and Cindy R win the CSI3* grand prix at Autumn MET II. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

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.”

Dylan Daly and Cinderella Z win the Wellington International grand prix. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

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!

Luiza Leivas and Novak De Kalvarie en route to winning the national grand prix. © Cassidy Klein (Image credit: creditUnknown)

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

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 08:24:05 +0000

“This is what I’ve been dreaming of,” says young British showjumper Antonia Platt, who has just returned from making her five-star debut at the prestigious Jumping Verona show in Italy.

Not only did the 22-year-old rising star line up against the likes of world number one Henrik von Eckermann and European champion Steve Guerdat for some top tier competitions, but she qualified for her first ever World Cup class, coming home with a very creditable 12 faults on horse of a lifetime Marvin Van De Waterhoeve.

This is a fantastic achievement for a 22-year-old, who is also studying agriculture at Nottingham University and ranked 1,624 in the world. No wonder she’s still on cloud nine.

“It was my first five-star and first World Cup so a double whammy actually,” Antonia told H&H. “I’ve been working with Matteo Guinti, who is part of the CT [Cavalleria Toscana] Academy and it was through them that I got offered the chance to compete at a five-star, in Verona. So I’ve been looking forward to it and working towards it for months!”

Antonia says she felt a bit apprehensive, but was made to feel very welcome by her fellow riders.

“I was a bit worried I was going to get there and feel like an imposter but I didn’t at all, everyone was so nice,” she says. “I was so excited to be there.

“They put all the Brits together, so I was stabled next to Ben Maher and Harry Charles, so that put it all into perspective! What more could you want?”

Coming home with 12 faults in Sunday’s Longines FEI Jumping World Cup of Verona presented by Scuderia 1918, behind winner Ben Maher, is a result to be proud of and she says her 12-year-old Marvin (Falco x Game Boy) gave her an “unbelievable feeling”.

“We’ve had him since he was nine and I’ve always said he’s a five-star horse, but I’m not that experienced – we don’t really have enough horsepower to get the ranking points, so I haven’t really had these kind of opportunities up to now,” explains Antonia. “It’s taken time to get to this point, even though I’ve grabbed every opportunity available to me. But I’ve always believed in him.

“So although we didn’t have a winning weekend, he tried his heart out and proved he could do it and he has all the potential to become a proper five-star horse.”

Antonia Platt: “A learning curve for both of us”

Antonia says of Marvin: “He has the odd quirk, but we have a very special bond.

“He’s incredibly special to us. It was a learning curve for both of us and he made a few green mistakes in the World Cup, but at the start of the year I said to my mum that I wanted to jump a World Cup qualifier, but I never imagined I would qualify for a World Cup at my first five-star.”

Marvin is now set to enjoy a well-deserved holiday after a summer of great results including placings at the CSI2* Longines Global Champions Tour of London and victory in the under-25 grand prix at Royal Windsor Horse Show.

“I’d love to get to some more of these big shows now – it’s literally what I dream of,” says Antonia, who was previously on young rider teams. “Marvin has been amazing though.

“We’ve got a few younger horses, but like everyone we’re just really desperate for some more horsepower. But I’ll focus on the young ones over the winter and take them to MET in January.”

About juggling her studies with top flight showjumping, Antonia says: “I just have to say to myself that anything is possible and I make time for it all. I am very lucky to have such a good team at home though, so I can take some time out to concentrate just on my work, rather than trying to juggle it all.

“Right now, this is beyond my wildest dreams – I’ve always believed I could do it, but for it all to come to reality so soon is just amazing.”

‘She’s the boss, I’m the passenger!’: Ben Maher lifts a World Cup and Vermento resumes his winning ways

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 15:52:53 +0000

With the Longines FEI World Cup series now in full swing, there were two huge British results to celebrate this week, one for Jessica Mendoza in Toronto and the other for Ben Maher in Verona. We were also thrilled to see one of our favourite stallions Vermento back to his grand prix-winning ways in Lier.

Read on for our weekly round-up of international showjumping news and results.

Showjumping news: ‘Dallas gave me everything today’

A week after their third-place finish in the Longines FEI World Cup qualifier in Lyon, France, Ben Maher and uber-mare Dallas Vegas Batilly (Cap Kennedy x L’Arc De Triomphe*Bois Margot) triumphed in this week’s leg in Verona, Italy, presented by Scuderia 1918. A top-class field of eight from 40 starters came through to the jump-off and, from penultimate draw, the reigning Olympic champion and the 10-year-old mare he co-owns with Pamela Wright and Charlotte Rossetter scorched home a fraction ahead of Steve Guerdat with the 14-year-old multi-winning Venard De Cerisy. The Swiss rider injured his shoulder in the first round but he said it didn’t affect his performance against the clock.

Finishing third was Nicola Philippaerts for Belgium riding another super mare, Katanga VH Dingeshof.

“It was a very difficult jump-off – you had to ride the right lines to make it smooth and fast,” said Ben of the track set by Uliano Vezzani. “Dallas gave me everything today, she was really fighting for me and everything went my way – she was incredible!”

Ben revealed he had warmed up the “sensitive” mare away from the main collecting ring because of the incredible atmosphere in the ring.

“I warmed up early so I could watch Steve Guerdat and I picked the right one to watch!” said the Hertfordshire rider. “My horse is a bit like Steve’s – she lands, she turns and everything went my way today, but it was so very close!

“She likes to be the boss and for me to be the passenger!”

The reigning European champion Steve Guerdat paid tribute to his rival: “Ben rode a great jump-off and fully deserves his win.”

British rider and university student Antonia Platt, who turns 22 later this month, made her CSI5* World Cup debut on Marvin Van De Waterhoeve, just coming home with 12 faults.

“Everyone was so nice, I was so excited to be there,” Antonia told H&H. “Marvin gave me an unbelievable feeling.

“I’ve had him since he was nine and he’s now 12 and I’ve always said he was a five-star horse, but we just haven’t had these kind of opportunities up to now,” added Antonia, crediting Matteo Giunti of the CT (Cavalleria Toscana) Academy for the training and the opportunity to compete at her first five-star show.

Ben had also been in the ribbons the previous day, finishing third with Enjeu De Grisien in Saturday’s winning round competition.

Jumping Verona results

Big Ben Challenge goes to Daniel Coyle and Legacy

In other showjumping news, there was plenty of top-class action to enjoy at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, Canada, where Ireland’s Daniel Coyle and Ariel Grange’s great mare Legacy triumphed in the prestigious $150,000 Mad Barn Big Ben International Challenge. Kelvin Bywater was in action as course-designer and seven combinations went through to the jump-off where Daniel drew gasps from the crowd as he set an unbeatable target.

Showjumping news: Daniel Coyle and Legacy win the Big Ben Challenge. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“Legacy now knows how to go very fast,” said Daniel. “I believed she could do it. She’s an amazing horse and I’m delighted to have her. It probably wasn’t the smoothest round I’ve ever had, but she’s such a fighter.”

Royal Horse Show results

Vermento returns to his winning ways

British showjumper Robert Whitaker rode Caroline Blatchford’s King George-winning stallion Vermento to grand prix glory at the CSI2* Azelhof Autumn Tour, a perfect warm-up for their appearance at this week’s CSI5* World Cup show in Stuttgart, Germany.

“I haven’t really jumped him since HOYS but I’m going to Stuttgart this week so I took him there and he jumped good,” Robert told H&H. “He was clear in the other ranking class too, but I didn’t jump off because there were so many clears that day.

“The grand prix was a bit harder – there were only eight clears, which isn’t so many for a two-star. Siebe Leemans, who finished second, was very, very fast but Vermento was just very, very good on the turns and quick.

“These World Cup shows are hard to get into, but luckily I can get into London this year, so I’ll do that, too.”

Azelhof Autumn Tour results

Bluman first, Mendoza second in Toronto World Cup

After finishing second to Daniel Coyle in last year’s Longines FEI World Cup qualifier in Toronto, Daniel Bluman went one better this time to triumph on the lovely grey mare Gemma W (Luidam x Unaniem) after a thrilling five-way jump-off. Finishing second was British rider Jessica Mendoza on I-Cap CL Z, with Kent Farrington of the USA third on rising star, the nine-year-old Greya.

“I don’t know how many chances you get to win a grand prix like this one so when you are given the chance, the minimum you can do is beat the time of the rider that went before you,” explained 33-year-old Daniel. “My goal was to beat Kent’s time. Hopefully the rails would stay up and I could then put the pressure on Jess not to beat me.

Daniel Bluman and Gemma W win the World Cup qualifier in Toronto, Canada. (Image credit: FEI/Simon J Stafford)

“Gemma is all heart. She maybe lacks some of the physical ability to jump the big fences, but she will always give you everything. When I walked the course today, the verticals were big, and we had the triple combination to finish. But I had a good feeling that my mare was feeling good. I haven’t jumped her too big this year and was trying to pick the right places for her. She felt amazing, and sometimes it just goes your way.”

Jess Mendoza, who was competing at The Royal for the first time, describes her 11-year-old I’m Special De Muze gelding as “amazing”.

“I trust him completely,” she said. “I know if I make crazy turns and I’m at a big angle, he’s going to take off, and he’s going to do his best to clear it. This is an incredible show and an unbelievable feeling to be in front of that crowd.”

Showjumping news: Jessica Mendoza and I-Cap CL Z finish second in the World Cup qualifier of Toronto. @Ben Radvanyi Photography (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Course-designer Kelvin Bywater first built at The Royal in 1991 alongside mentor Bob Ellis.

“To come back and design here this week has been something special,” he said.

CSI4*-W Royal Horse Show results

A win for Robert Murphy

British rider Robert Murphy rode the 11-year-old Hulde G to victory in a speed class at the CSI4* Maastricht and finished second in the accumulator. John Whitaker was also in the money at the show with Sharid, and the jumping legend just picked up four faults in the grand prix jump-off on Equine America Unick Du Francport. The feature class was won by Maikel van der Vleuten with Catoki stallion Luigi D’Eclipse.

Showjumping news: Brits hit flying form in Spain

We conclude this week’s showjumping news round-up with the CSI3* grand prix on the Autumn Mediterranean Equestrian Tour, which was won by Spanish rider Mariano Martinez Bastida on Jup, with Donald Whitaker and Nikita Du Roton (Elvis Ter Putte x Chippendale Z) second with the only other double clear of the competition. Among a raft of multi-winning British riders this week was Nicole Lockhead Anderson with I Am A Harley and Christian Street, and Louise Simpson on Dallco Chance and Starouge.

A ‘difficult’ young horse is transformed, a gentle giant wins and there’s a big milestone in a champion’s career

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 17:49:09 +0000

Five years of patience and long-term thinking with what was once a “difficult” young horse has really paid off for British Olympic showjumper Harry Charles as the 10-year-old secured his first grand prix victory in Belgium this week. Meanwhile, flying Dutchman Harrie Smolders claimed the overall title as Longines Global Champions Tour champion of champions for the second time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Read on for our round-up of this week’s international showjumping news and results.

Showjumping news: Sherlock finds all the answers

At Sentower Park, Belgium, the 1.55m CSI3* grand prix was won by Great Britain’s Harry Charles and 10-year-old rising star Sherlock. In a four-way jump-off, Harry went head-to-head with Lorenzo De Luca on F One USA, coming out over half a second faster of the two double clears to secure the 10-year-old stallion’s first grand prix success. The previous day, 24-year-old Harry also won a 1.45m two-phase with the speedy Billabong Du Roumois.

“It was Sherlock’s first grand prix win – he’s not done so many though,” Harry told H&H. “I’ve had him since the start of his five-year-old career so he’s actually the horse I’ve had the longest in the stable.

“As a six- and seven-year-old he was very difficult – he was very sensitive and thought about the job a lot. A lot of times I’ve thought ‘Where am I going with him?’ But his jump was always so amazing – he’s one of the best young horses I’ve ever seen jumping, let alone ridden – then when he put it all together, he was exceptional. So we always knew it was worth keeping going with him.”

The Belgian-bred son of Bisquet Balou VD Mispelaere only jumped his first ranking class as a nine-year-old.

“He’s 10 now, but I still treat him like he’s a year behind the other horses – a lot of 10-year-olds will have been to championships,” said Harry. “But it’s all about doing things in his own time and at the last few shows the results have been amazing. He’s not had many jumps down and the big jumps are very easy to him.”

Harry felt that the track for Sentower’s three-star grand prix was “not far off a five-star”.

“They only got four clears, which says something,” he said. “Sherlock used to be quite a slow horse, but over the past year I’ve been working on trying to pick his speed up a bit. We’ve been doing a lot of turns in the indoor school and getting him to try to follow my hands. Now, he’s actually the easiest horse I ride. He went from the most difficult to the easiest horse I have! He’s so intelligent – you just have to point him at a jump and he does it. You turn him left, he goes left, you turn him right, he goes right, you say ‘Whoa’ and he comes back. He’s the perfect horse actually, very special.”

The next goal for the pair is the World Cup qualifiers of Madrid and La Coruna.

“I’m half thinking about him for the World Cup Finals, then with the Olympics next year we have Balou, but behind him he’s a great horse to have,” said Harry. “The Olympics might just come a little bit early, but he is more than capable of it.

“Then Billabong had a little win too – he’s always chipping in!” said Harry, who is in action later this week at the World Cup show in Lyon, France.

CSI3* Sentower results

British victory in Portugal

In other showjumping news, Lily Attwood took a starring role at the CSI2* Villamoura Champions Tour in Portugal, when landing Sunday’s grand prix with her great partner Cor-Leon VD Vlierbeek Z, sealing a great week for the Brits in which Laura Renwick made a return to the winner’s enclosure and Graham Gillespie triumphed in a jump-off class with Veneno.

CSI2* Villamoura Champions Tour results

Phillip Miller on tour

On his first competitive trip abroad for four years, Phillip Miller helped Great Britain to sixth in the Nations Cup in Vejer, Spain, going on to finish sixth in the CSIO3* Andalucia grand prix with Brendon Stud and Pennie Cornish’s Don Royale, just 2sec off the pace with an eye-catching double clear. Joining him on the British squad for Friday’s Nations Cup, led by Stanny van Paesschen, were Joe Stockdale (Ebanking), Adrian Whiteway (Chacco Volo) and Skye Higgin (Djordania Du Tillard).

CSIO3* Andalucia results

In other showjumping news, Harrie Smolders is crowned LGCT champion of champions after an exciting evening in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

A returning LGCT champion is crowned

Stepping up to be crowned the 17th Longines Global Champions Tour champion of champions was flying Dutchman Harrie Smolders. Following up on his 2017 title, the 43-year-old clinched the crown ahead of nearest rivals Maikel van der Vleuten and Henrik von Eckermann after a battle that rumbled into the final grand prix of the season.

“I know how it feels [to win the championship] and I wanted to feel it again,” said Harrie. “To be the overall champion again is a big marker in my career. All the dedication from my team, my people and my grooms make this a big milestone for all of us.”

Showjumping news: final ticket to the Super Grand Prix is pocketed

Some breathtaking turns and a pulsating finish from last-drawn German Christian Kuker on the 13-year-old Comme Il Faut stallion Checker 47 earned a well-deserved top spot in the Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix of Riyadh by just 0.16sec and he headed home with the hefty £150,000 first prize.

“I had flashbacks because I was last to go in Doha [at the start of the season] and lost it by 0.05sec [to Philipp Weishaupt] to finish second, so I thought, ‘That’s not going to happen today!” said Christian, stable jockey at the Ludger Beerbaum stables. “I felt a little slower over fences one, two and three – I had the strides I wanted, but they were holding strides everywhere – but then I turned very, very tight to the double, which I did yesterday with him in the GCL. He did it very well then, so I thought ‘Why not try it again?’ He did it super again.

“To bring it home and to cross the finish line and see that you’ve won is always an amazing feeling, but that was very, very special for me today.”

Riesenbeck International were crowned GCL 2023 champions, retaining the title from last year. In action in this leg were Philipp Weishaupt on Zineday and Ireland’s Eoin McMahon with Mila, but Christian Kukuk has been key to the success of the squad owned and managed by Ludger Beerbaum.

“It was six wins, leading overall from the first competition – most of the time with a comfortable margin,” said Ludger. “It got tight at the end and Paris Panthers made it really exciting, but we’ve never had a team dominating the season more than we did this year.”

LGCT of Riyadh results

Katie Dinan and her “gentle giant” Brego R’n B win the World Cup qualifier at the Washington International Horse Show. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

A first five-star win after a 10-year wait

And last but certainly not least in this week’s international showjumping news round-up, US rider Katie Dinan and 17-year-old “gentle giant” Brego R’n B posted their first five-star victory together in the $450,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup at the Washington International Horse Show. This win came 10 years after Katie’s last five-star success.

“It’s hard not to love Brego,” she said of the Namelus R gelding owned by Grant Road Partners, who she has ridden for five years. “He’s 17 and he really, really deserves it – I’m thrilled for him. In the jump-off, he showed all of his amazing qualities – he has huge scope, quality, bravery, intelligence and he tries hard. You can’t really ask for more as a rider. I think he knew he won.”

Katie combines top-flight showjumping with a PhD programme studying circadian rhythms in a genetics lab at Rockefeller University.

“Brego has had the same groom, Lou Beudin, since we got him five years ago and he loves her so much – they’re a really great pair,” she said.

Washington International Horse Show results

‘I’ve let the horse gain belief in himself’: patience rewarded with spectacular World Cup double

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:44:06 +0000

There was one stand-out performance making showjumping news this week. Ireland’s Richard Howley found out that sometimes World Cup wins are just like waiting for buses – you land one and then another follows in quick succession. It was an outstanding feat to achieve two on the trot, so hats off to him and the team behind the brilliant gelding Consulent Du Prelet Z.

But he wasn’t the only Irishman in flying form this week, and Great Britain’s Ben Maher was among the grand prix winners. We bring you our weekly round-up of all this week’s international showjumping news and results.

‘I’m not going to put him in a bad situation’

Just a week after claiming his first sensational World Cup qualifier success in Oslo, Norway, Wetherby-based Irishman Richard Howley repeated the feat at the Helsinki International Horse Show, Finland, again with the mighty gelding Consulent De Prelet Z, a 12-year-old son of Consulent Z who Richard has been riding for two years.

Richard, 31, may have had considerably fewer rivals than the 17-way jump-off he topped last week, but from last draw he scorched home a whopping 2.59sec quickest of the eight contenders going against the clock in Finland. Second place went to Germany’s Philipp Schulze Topphoff on the big-striding mare Carla NRW, with world number one and title-holder Henrik von Eckermann third with another quality chestnut, Dzara Dorchival.

“It’s hard to take it in, but I believe in my horse 100 per cent and my team,” Richard told H&H, also crediting advice from his team-mate Mark McAuley for gaining the winning edge. “The horse gives everything every time. But I went in the ring to either win or come eighth – I was never going to be second!”

Richard’s patience in his partnership with the “very careful” Consulent, who is owned by Richard and Morgan Kent’s HK Horses and Sarah Borthwick, is clearly paying off.

“It’s from riding him well consistently, letting the horse gain belief in himself and belief in me that I’m not going to put him in a bad situation,” he explained.

“Apart from that, he’s also growing and developing, with every show he goes to he’s just getting better and better. He’s so clever and he’s so smart, so it makes my job easier because he’s so talented. 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.

“He competed very well at the Global Tour this summer and now he’s come indoors and two out of two [World Cup qualifiers] he has won. I can’t expect more from him but I’m very grateful for what he does for me.”

“I always want to win and, competing against the best riders, you have to give your all,” added Richard, who will spend the next few weeks competing in Portugal.

This season’s World Cup Final is being hosted by Saudi Arabia, and Richard said he is now “very motivated” to build on this opportunity to contest it.

“Obviously I never thought I would win both legs, even if it is always the goal to win,” said Sligo-born Richard, who pocketed €57,500 for this success.

“We’re aiming for April, we’re going to push very hard for that.”

Helsinki World Cup results

Showjumping news: home-bred enjoys more glory

The Helsinki grand prix went to Kevin Staut of France on the 10-year-old Beau De Laubry Z, and Shane Breen finished third on Cuick Star Kervec (Quick Star x Diamant De Semilly) having produced the quickest jump-off round but with four faults added. The Hickstead-based Irishman had triumphed the previous day with his super grey home-bred Scarteen, who he described as the “perfect old man’s horse”, the pair rocketing to top spot in the 1.45m speed class.

Helsinki International Horse Show results

Well, Fancy that

Elsewhere in this week’s showjumping news, in Spain’s Andalucia October Tour, Ben Walker was among the plentiful winners, finishing first and third in Sunday’s 1.35m with Emma Ziff’s Fygo Von D’Ouwe Grint and David Simpson’s Balloon Cruise, who he’d won with earlier in the week. Claudia Moore headed the same day’s 1.25m and the previous day’s 1.30m on the nine-year-old Jadraque P, while Coolmore Showjumping’s eight-year-old stallion Fancy De Kergane (Berdenn De Kergane x Cor De Hus) continues to impress, winning a 1.40m jump-off class under Cian O’Connor in week two of the tour as attention turns to this week’s Nations Cup competition.

Andalucia October Tour Week 2 results

Ben Maher and Ginger-Blue conclude Autumn MET I 2023 with a win in the CSI3 1.50m Grand Prix. (Image credit: MET/1clicphoto)

Ginger-Blue makes it two

Ben Maher and Jane Clark’s 12-year-old Plot Blue mare Ginger-Blue recorded their second grand prix victory on the Autumn Mediterranean Equestrian Tour (MET) in Oliva Nova, Spain. They topped this CSI3* 1.50m feature class after an 11-way jump-off, where they came home nearly a second quicker than Nicola Philippaerts on H&M Luna Van’t Ruytershof Z.

MET results

Showjumping news: champion of champions

Great Britain’s high-flying rider Mark Edwards racked up an outstanding string of placings on the Vilamoura Champions Tour in Portugal, including wins with seven-year-old Casque D’Or and Dillinger NE in the two-phase, and a fourth-place finish with Flying Tinker II in the CSI2* grand prix.

Vilamoura results

A magical win, a missed flight and an Irish pub – this week’s showjumping action

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 17:02:53 +0000

All showjumping eyes turned to the Agria Oslo Horse Show this weekend, as Norway hosted the first western European World Cup leg of the season, and there was plenty of British and Irish success – and celebration

Irish showjumper Richard Howley and Consulent de Prelet Z said it was “what dreams are made of” to take the World Cup leg in Oslo, on Consulent de Prelet Z.

The Irish rider and the 12-year-old gelding, owned by the Howleys and Sarah Borthwick, triumphed in a 17-way jump-off, 0.3sec ahead of Simon Delestre and Dexter Fontenis Z.

“It was fantastic to be able to compete in the qualifier,” Richard told H&H. “I was over the moon with the result. It was a tough course and there were seven of the top 10 riders on the FEI ranking list so the standard was very high and it was fantastic to be able to jump clear.

“It was a very competitive class, obviously, with a lot of good riders and fast riders. Luckily, I got to watch Simon and he had a fantastic round. My plan was to try to execute the same and just stay a bit wider on the second-last oxer so I got one stride less to the last fence and I think that’s where I saved a bit of time that helped us win.

“It’s an amazing achievement for me and a huge result. My family were there too and it was a magical moment for HK Horses.”

Richard said Consulent is very clever and careful, with a fast turn of foot, which helps his speed.

“He’s really quick away from the jump and always looking for the next fence. It makes it much easier for me when I want to try to be competitive, when I know he’s going to be in front of me all the time.

“He’s a real five-star grand prix horse, which you want to have in your string.”

Richard previously worked for Michael Whitaker, whose son Jack picked up third place on Equine America Valmy de la Lande.

Richard said: “Growing up watching the indoor World Cup qualifiers on TV, this is what dreams are made of, what you try to achieve in your career, and I’m very, very grateful to be able to do it!

“It looks like I missed my flight, so we will look for an Irish pub with my mum and dad – and Jack has missed his flight too so he can join us!”

Ben Maher and Exit Remo also scored a win for Britain in Oslo, taking Friday’s (13 October) five-star 1.50m class ahead of Alain Jufer and Dante MM.

‘A privilege to ride on your wings’: top mare retires from competition aged 17

Becky Murray — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 15:39:17 +0000

HH Azur, the phenomenal ride of US showjumper McLain Ward, has retired from competition aged 17.

The announcement came yesterday (2 July) after McLain pulled HH Azur up during the first round of the Rolex grand prix, when the pair knocked down the second and third fences. Going into Aachen, McLain was the live contender for the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping, having scored back-to-back grand prix wins at CHI Geneva and then the Dutch Masters, with “Annie”.

“Dear Annie, I knew this day would come but somehow you always were able to reach deep inside and achieve greatness time and time again,” said McLain.

“We all know there comes a time when your mind and body disagree but it is still hard to let go. You have given all of us so much but it’s time to say goodbye to our sport and retire in good health.”

Annie was bred in Belgium by Nathalie Beaufort, and was competed in young horse classes by Nathalie’s husband Pedro Nolasco. When she was bought by Francois Mathy in 2014, Annie’s international career began with Francois’ rider Perez Bilbao, before she was flown to America in early 2015 to begin her career with McLain, under the co-ownership of Double H Farm.

McLain and Annie’s first international victory together was a CSI5* 1.50m at Spruce Meadows in June 2015. The pair’s first team event was the Rome leg of the Nations Cup the following year, where they won the grand prix and helped Team USA to second place in the team competition. They made their Olympic debut together at Rio that summer, where they won team silver and were ninth individually.

In 2017 Annie and McLain became World Cup champions. Annie was named US Equestrian’s international horse of the year, and McLain won equestrian of the year, after the pair had not a single fault in team competition in 2017. The following year they were fourth in the World Cup final, and had continued to rack up five-star wins and placings around the world since.

“I knew from our beginning you were better than me and that it would take every bit of my ability to not let you down. Your wings carried all of us whose lives you have touched on an incredible journey that is the epitome of why we seek such lofty goals and pursue them with such passion,” said McLain.

“You are the very definition of a queen. It was a privilege to have been the one to ride on your wings, to be your partner and to be part of your life.”

McLain added a “special thank you” to those who had been involved in Annie’s career; Lee, Erica, Virginie, Kirstie, the Mathy family, the Harrison family, and all the “incredible team”.

“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in Annie’s and my journey. Without each and every one of you the story we’ve written would not have been possible,” he said.

“I’m forever grateful for your contributions and I have no doubt Annie has touched your life in a positive way as she has everyone’s. Happy retirement, my Queen.”

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

Nancy Jaffer — Sun, 09 Apr 2023 08:00:41 +0000

World number one-ranked Henrik von Eckermann looked the odds-on favorite to win the 2023 Longines FEI World Cup Showjumping finals in Omaha, Nebraska, but realising his destiny turned out to be no sure thing.

The 2022 world champion won the initial speed leg of the cup on Wednesday 5 April with the marvellous King Edward, but Great Britain’s Scott Brash was right behind him. He and Hello Jefferson finished their round in 59.23 seconds, just missing the leader’s mark of 59.09 seconds.

The victory gave Henrik 41 points, one more than the number of riders in the competition, while Scott had 39. The other British rider, Harry Charles, was 17th overall on Balou du Reventon, after adding three seconds for a downed rail to their original time of 60.21 seconds.

But things changed dramatically on the second day, when King Edward had an uncharacteristic rail and didn’t make the jump-off. In retrospect, Henrik thought jumping one less round turned out to be a blessing, leaving the horse fresher for the final two-round competition two days later.

Germany’s Richard Vogel won the second leg with United Touch S, while Harry made a marvellous comeback with Balou, a stallion he began riding only at the end of last year. Finishing second put him in a tie for seventh overall, within sighting distance of a possible podium finish. It didn’t go as well for Scott, who missed the jump-off with three rails down.

Meanwhile, Henrik had dropped to third place, as Andreas Schou of Denmark (Darc de Lux) and Switzerland’s Pius Schweizer (Vancouver de Lanlore) ended up tied for first in the overall standings.

The top 30 came back on Saturday night (8 April) to determine the placings. The field was cut to 20 after the first round over a clever route designed by Bernardo Costa Cabral and his team, who put together a completely different challenge for the second round. Harry had 12 penalties for the evening, putting him ninth overall, while Scott ended up 11th with a total of eight added to his penalties from the two previous days. Andreas and Pius each had a total of 12 penalties for the evening to take them out of contention for the podium.

It appeared after the first round that Henrik might have to wait another year for his destiny, after dropping a rail, but he went clear in the second round to take the top spot on the podium. The Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders took the second spot after earning only four faults for the evening with Monaco. The USA’s Hunter Holloway had eight faults in the first round of the night with the spicy Pepita con Spita, but went clear over the second course to finish third.

During the presentation, Henrik kissed the trophy as he realised a dream he had had since childhood.

“When I was very young I always went to the Gothenburg Horse Show (in Sweden), and watched the World Cup,” Henrik said. “It was always a big, big goal and a dream for me to have my name on that trophy. So for me, it’s very special.”

Scott Brash sets Britain’s World Cup dreams alight

Becky Murray — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 14:04:26 +0000

Scott Brash is keeping Britain’s World Cup dreams alight as he lies in second place behind world champions Henrik Von Eckermann and King Edward.

Last night (5 April) the opening round of the showjumping World Cup final took place in Omaha, USA. 40 starters from 19 nations tackled Bernardo Costa Cabral’s 13-fence track.

Scott Brash and his Tokyo Olympic and World Championships ride Hello Jefferson were seventh to jump and went into the top spot, with a time of 59.23sec. Germany’s Daniel Deusser and Tobago Z looked like they might threaten Scott’s lead, but the pair had to settle for second place. It was last-in Henrik Von Eckermann and King Edward who closed the evening on top, stopping the clock on 59.09sec.

“I’m very happy with Jefferson, I thought he jumped fantastic”, said Scott of the 14-year-old gelding. “He’s amazing, he’s capable of winning anything. I’ve always believed in him and it’s just about things going right on the day. So far, so good.”

“He’s a quick horse but he gets tense so I try to do the round that’s comfortable for him. I was very happy with the first half and then just at the end he got a little bit keen, he lost his relaxation a bit, but he jumped the last good and hopefully we can keep him settled for tomorrow.”

Henrik made use of being the last rider to jump.

“It was an advantage to watch a little bit to see how much risk you really need to take without getting too crazy,” he said.

“I got my plan done. Scott’s horse is completely different so I just did my plan that suited my horse. To the triple bar [fence 6] I could do one less, he did nine, I did eight, so I knew there I’d have a bit of time, and on the other ones I kept the pace going. We did nine to the last when many did 10. These small things meant that I was in front.”

Harry Charles is the only other Brit competing in the showjumping World Cup final; he lies in 17th on Balou du Reventon. Ireland’s Denis Lynch and Brooklyn Heights are in 18th, and Daniel Coyle and Legacy are 25th. Last year’s winner Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei are 22nd, after having two fences down.

The jump-off class takes place this evening (6 April), and the final two-round competition on Saturday (8 April).

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

Jennifer Donald — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 15:32:14 +0000

At the age of 51, and partnering the lovely 10-year-old mare Cassina Dior, Phillip Steiner will be a happy man when representing New Zealand at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final in Omaha, USA, on Wednesday night (5 April), writes Louise Parkes.

His is a story of horsemanship and hard graft, of opportunities grasped and firm friendships made, of family and commitment, and of following a dream.

Talking from his temporary base in The Netherlands where he stayed for a few weeks in the run up to the World Cup Final, he said he can hardly believe how things have evolved over the last year.

“It’s been a lifetime goal to get to the top of the sport,” he says. “There have been times at home with the young horses when I’d look up at the sky and wonder if one day I might make it to Europe to jump a horse or compete in a big class. And now it has all happened!”

Things began to fall into place when he was selected for the New Zealand team that will battle for a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this summer.

“The first goal was to jump a season at home, and then to come to Europe and be ready for the Olympic qualifier in Valkenswaard in July. Omaha was not so much on the radar, but then High Performance mentioned halfway through the FEI season that the winner [of the FEI Jumping World Cup New Zealand League] might have the chance to go to the Final,” says Phillip.

“That wasn’t really confirmed until the last day of January when our season finished, so I had about three weeks to put some clothes together and sort the horse out and get myself to Europe – it all happened very quickly!

“It was my plan to do three weeks to a month here and then get on the charter plane to Omaha with the big boys. I intended to do Lier, Belgium, which I thought was two indoor shows, but when I arrived I found out it was outdoors so straight away my plan was on the floor!”

But fortunately Phillip is basing himself with Hilary Scott – “she’s an Aussie, a really nice person and she has sorted me out!” he says. His link with Hilary began last August when he went to Australia to get some World Cup experience.

“One of my Kiwi mates is based at The Oaks in Sydney, which is Hilary’s mum’s breeding stud. I stayed there for two months and we did two World Cups and another big show at Wallinga Park,” he reveals.

So it was a logical progression to ask Hilary if he could stay at her facility near Eindhoven in the Netherlands when travelling to Europe this year.

“She’s a five-star rider, so every question I have about how I’m going to get to the plane or where I’m gonna go, or what show I should do, or how much work I should do, she’s just there on the ground and she has been really great,” says Phillip, who is very happy to give some payback. “I’m helping around the yard and riding a couple of horses for her every now and then, and then ride my one. I help keep the place clean and tidy and what-not.”

The route to the World Cup Final: how it all began

Phillip’s strong work ethic is long-established, as is his love of horses. Along with the rest of his family, he hunted as a child. When he saw some children showjumping he decided he wanted to try that, so he bought his own first jumping pony.

“I reared 10 calves and sold them at a sale and then bought myself a B-grade pony. From there I did Pony Club and eventing and then went to work for David Goodin, [legendary New Zealand eventing and jumping rider], Bruce Goodin’s dad,” he explains. “When I went to work for David I didn’t know much about striding, I knew that sometimes there was a deep one, sometimes a long one and sometimes it came up perfect! He taught me the mechanics of riding a related line and things like that.”

Phillip seems to have had a knack for learning from the best, because in 1992 at the age of 20 he went to America to work for 1984 Olympic gold medallists Joe Fargis and Conrad Holmfeld – the latter twice-winner of the World Cup title.

“I did two summers with them and learned all about style, how to bandage horses and how to groom, and I leased a horse off a girl called Debbie Dolan,” he says, casually referring to the athlete who competed for Team USA at the very top of the sport during the peak of her career.

After returning home to New Zealand for a while, Phillip left for Europe in 1998 to work for legendary Swiss horse-dealer Max Hauri.

“I was in Max’s yard for a good year or two on and off and then I went to work for Lesley McNaught,” he says. “I did my time, learning in the dealing yard and riding some quite good horses with Lesley. That was when she had Dulf [the horse with which she won team silver for Switzerland at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games].”

His attraction to Switzerland was no accident as his grandfather emigrated to New Zealand from a little town close to Lucerne at the age of 11. And once again his uncanny knack for associating with the best of the best was triggered.

“When I was there I got to know Pius Schwizer, who was jumping at national shows, and Steve Guerdat was just starting to jump his first grand prix classes – now they are the best in the world!” he says.

He returned home again in 2000 to settle down, buy a property, set up his business, get married and raise a family in Tauranga on the North Island with his wife Sally who, 20 years ago, won the same series that has qualified Phillip for the forthcoming Longines Final. They have an arena, 20 stables and about 80 acres of farmland on which they graze a herd of 100 cattle and exercise their horses. Home life is fairly hectic with three children, plenty of horses and a small trucking business.

“One truck brings Kiwi fruit off the orchards to the factories, and then two trucks go eight months of the year, seven days a week, from the cold store at the back end of the factory and take the fruit to the boats,” he explains of the business that stemmed from frustration with having to sell the good young horses he was producing in order to keep the family afloat.

One that never got sold however is Cassina Dior, who he will proudly ride into the ring when the action gets underway in Omaha. Known at home as Dolly, he bought her from her breeder Pip McCarroll.

“Pip had a horse that was on livery in our place that we were training for Mark Todd,” he says. “She kept telling me about this three-year-old, so we went and had a look, watched her free-jump and ended up buying her.”

He had to promise that he wouldn’t resell Dolly right away, “and by the time she got to about seven years old I realised we had something quite special,” says Phillip. “A lot of people wanted to buy her, but I always said I want to have a couple of years to take this horse as far as I can. At my age I don’t think I’ll probably see another one this good!”

The passage of time has made his arrival at the top of the sport all the more sweet.

“You don’t take things for granted like you would at 25, but going to this World Cup Final is huge really and I want to keep that in check so it doesn’t affect my ability to do my best when we get there,” he says.

Ringside at the World Cup Final in Omaha

Pip will be ringside in Omaha along with all of Phillip’s family. Eldest son, 15-year-old James, is already well into the sport, recently winning three pony grand prix classes in a row, 10-year-old son Oliver “is more interested in motorbikes at the moment but he can ride” and his daughter, Francie, is a horse-crazy five-year-old who recently broke her collarbone in a fall from her 128cm pony. No shortage of drama for Mum to manage while Dad is away…

Asked if, apart from wife Sally, he will have anyone else on the ground to support him in Omaha, Phillip dropped one more phenomenal name.

“Greg Best. I’ve trained a lot with him over the past 15 years,” he reveals of the man who won two silver medals for the USA in the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea riding the fabulous Gem Twist. “He married a New Zealand girl and they live in Hawkes Bay. His kids are the same age as ours, so they all play together and are best friends. I know I’m going to be a bit over-awed when I get there, and he’s someone who has ridden all the biggest championships and he’s pretty amazing!”

At home right now his support system includes his wing-man Marcus who is keeping the business going, “and grandma, who is looking after the kids while Sally is running around doing the farm”. It’s an all-out effort to make a dream come true for one man and his magical mare who will wear the silver fern with enormous pride.

What’s happening when?

The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final kicks off in Omaha, USA, on Wednesday 5 April at 7.15pm local time, six hours later at 1.15am (on Thursday 6 April) UK time, with a world class field of 40 athletes and horses lining up to place their name on the legendary roll of honour.

Course-designer Bernardo Costa Cabral from Portugal will be sure to test them all the way in front of a capacity audience of 18,300. Representing Great Britain are Harry Charles and Scott Brash, who ride Balou Du Reventon and Hello Jefferson respectively in the opening round.

Ireland’s Denis Lynch is drawn first on Brooklyn Heights, with countryman Daniel Coyle coming in later on Legacy. Five-time Olympian McLain Ward, title-defender Martin Fuchs and world number one Henrik von Eckermann have all earned their place on the line-up. There will be an age difference of 42 years spanning the oldest and youngest riders: 60-year-old Swiss rider Pius Schwizer and 18-year-old Elisa Broz from USA.

“I’m very grateful that I could win the World Cup Final once,” says Martin Fuchs. “Obviously I would wish to win it again, but I’m here to do my best – my horse is in great shape so I hope to be able to beat McLain this year!”

The second competition takes place on Thursday 6 April with the top 30 progressing to Saturday’s penultimate round, followed by a battle for the top 20 for the final placings.

You can find out all about the winning performance in the World Cup Final at horseandhound.co.uk with a full report in next week’s magazine, in the shops Thursday 13 April.

Lion-hearted World Cup hero bows out: ‘the biggest fighter I ever rode’

Lucy Elder — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 14:59:46 +0000

The 2022 showjumping World Cup final winner “with a heart like a lion” has retired aged 16 following a dazzling sporting career.

Chaplin, owned by Luigi Baleri, had been ridden by Swiss medallist Martin Fuchs since 2016. Together, they scored three CSI5* Longines Global Champions Tour grands prix wins and tasted victory in four World Cup legs before scooping the final trophy last year. They also represented Switzerland in Nations Cups.

The stallion, by Verdi TN and out of Concorde mare Jaltha B, will now join Team Nijhof and turn his attention to breeding.

“Thank you my Chapi for the most amazing seven years,” said Martin. “Chaplin jumped 13 five-star grands prix and was placed in 12 of them.

“He has the best character and qualities. Scope, careful, fast and a heart like a lion. The biggest fighter I ever rode.”

Martin added he is “for ever grateful” to Mr Baleri for making the partnership possible, to groom Sean Vard, for “travelling the world with this superstar” and to his whole team “for their dedication throughout his career”.

“Looking forward to seeing many outstanding Chaplin babies!” he added.

It is nearly a year since Chaplin’s last international start – the 2022 World Cup final would prove to be his swansong on the world stage, and he already has youngstock on the ground.

“He is just the biggest fighter, he doesn’t have the ability that Clooney [Martin’s retired multiple medal-winning ride] has but at the end he always gives everything,” said Martin after his World Cup win last year, which he described as “a dream come true”.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve run to the last fence like that!’ Ben Maher rides a flyer and a Brit wins 10 classes

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 17:03:00 +0000

The Olympic champion Ben Maher, who celebrates his 40th birthday today (30 January), is in flying form already this year and earned his third big class win of WEF (Winter Equestrian Festival) on Saturday, this time riding top new mare Dallas Vegas Batilly.

There was also grand prix success closer to home for Ireland’s Mikey Pender, and 16-year-old Maisy Williams continues to impress while James Smith racked up an outstanding tally of 10 international victories in one week. Here is H&H’s round-up of this week’s international winners, plus showjumping results.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve run to the last fence like that in a jump-off’

Olympic champion Ben Maher landed Saturday’s NetJets CSI4* grand prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) with top new mare Dallas Vegas Batilly, owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright.

Ben and the 10-year-old Selle Francais mare came home quickest in a 14-way jump-off to beat Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam riding the big-striding Namaste Van Het Eyckeveld and US rider Kent Farrington on rising star Toulayna.

“She’s taken some time to get used to me and my system,” said Ben, who first teamed up with the “sensitive” mare four months ago, taking over from Frenchman Nicolas Delmotte. “She’s jumped some great rounds and was clear in the grand prix in Geneva. But every time we come to the jump-off; we’ve had problems with the steering.

“I’ve learned I have to ask her to do things, not tell her.”

“We’ve only had her for four months and it’s been a bit of a trial and error process, but she’s an incredible horse and finally we managed to figure out the jump-off this evening when the time counts,” explained Ben. “It’s always top competition here, amazing atmosphere, it was packed this evening, and it was a difficult enough course for this early in the year.

“I honestly tried not to watch what the others were doing [in the jump-off] and I don’t have so much experience with Dallas at the minute, sometimes when I’ve turned too short she’s got opinionated on me, but everything came off right tonight and it gives me a lot of confidence for the future. I know she has a huge stride so fortunately I knew I could get there [to the final fence] – it was quite long and it’s been a while since I’ve been running to the last fence like that in a jump-off! But it was good fun and it couldn’t be a better start to the year.”

Ben’s groom Derren Lake won the $500 grooms’ award, presented by Double H Farm.

Ireland’s Bertram Allen was also a winner at Wellington International, topping a 1.45m speed class on the Billy Mexico daughter Emmylou, for owners Ballywalter Stables and Noel Delahunty Connaught Bloodstock.

“I have a very competitive horse and she gave a massive effort,” said Bertram. “She’s just fantastic and I knew that if I rode well that I could have a chance today.”

Winter Equestrian Festival results

Pender’s glory and a 10-class winning streak

Irish rider Mikey Pender and HHS Calais landed the CSI3* grand prix on week one of the Villamoura Atlantic Tour in Portugal, just beating Great Britain’s Olli Fletcher and Hello William after 13 combinations jumped off for the €13,150 top prize. The previous day Mikey had also won the 1.40m jump-off class with the eight-year-old HHS Los Angeles.

British showjumper James Smith enjoyed a phenomenal winning streak of 10 international classes in the opening week, winning everything from young horse classes to a world ranking competition with the Renwicks’ great Arkuga.

“We had a good week!” said James. “I have a few of Laura Renwick’s horses while she’s on her way back. I rode Michelob for them for the first time and he won the six-year-old classes every day, then seven-year-old Dame Diamant Z won two.”

James also made his debut with new ride Juno Rose 23, a 2022 HOYS finalist for previous rider Emma Crawford.

“This was my first show with her and she won every day – three out of three – she’s very nice,” James told H&H.

“John Renwick is known for liking to win, so we were fairly going for it from the start of the tour! But they’re a lovely bunch of horses so they make my job much easier. It was a good week – it’ll be hard to keep it going but we’ll try!”

Among this week’s other big three-star winners were Chloe Aston (Diatendra Von Rocherrath Z) and Guy Williams on the 18-year-old Rouge De Ravel. Guy’s 16-year-old daughter Maisy topped Friday’s 1.30m speed class on new ride Piggle van de Bucxtale, having also won a young horse class with Gold Rush.

Villamoura Atlantic Tour results

Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2023 - Amsterdam (GBR)Julien Epaillard - Donatello d’Auge (Image credit: Arnd Bronkhorst)

Epaillard claims a World Cup hat-trick

Speedy French rider Julien Epaillard enjoyed a remarkable winning streak through 2022 and has started 2023 in the same vein, posting his third victory of the World Cup season in Amsterdam.

He and the 10-year-old mare Donatello D’Auge soared home quicker than runners-up 23-year-old Swiss rider Edouard Schmitz and Quno, with Brazilian Yuri Mansur and the great Vitiki finishing an emotional third after an eight-strong jump-off.

Julien, ranked number three in the world, now heads the Western European League table ahead of the World Cup Final in USA in April.

“It’s my first five-star win with Donatello D’Auge, so it’s really special for the family and the team,” he said.

Edouard Schmitz, who is half the age of the winner, quipped: “Next time I’ll beat the old man!” And Yuri Mansur said of Vitiki, who has returned from a broken leg incurred in a fall in Aachen. “We had such a long and hard story, but the way he’s jumping this season is unbelievable. This horse is always emotional for me.”

Jumping Amsterdam results

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

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 13:57:48 +0000

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum has paid tribute to the incomparable Shutterfly, the “greatest partner anyone could ever have”.

The legendary showjumper, who won three World Cup Finals and individual European gold with Meredith in their stellar career together, died on 28 January, aged 30.

“It is with a very heavy heart that I am sad to announce that we lost Shutterfly this morning,” Meredith said. “He was a unique and irreplaceable part of our lives.”

Meredith spotted the Silvio I gelding as a six-year-old; a “doubtful, unsure youngster” who “blossomed into one of the greatest horses to ever live”.

“He won three World Cup finals, two top ten finals, the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen, amongst many other prestigious titles,” she said. “He brought me to the top of the world ranking list, as the only women ever, where I was able to enjoy #1 for 24 months.”

Meredith and “Petey” finished fourth individually at the 2008 Olympics and won individual and team bronze for Germany at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen. He also jumped – and won – his last class at Aachen in 2011, beating the best in the world to take the Preis von Europa aged 18.

He had since been enjoying his retirement with Meredith at home.

“We will miss the kind and sweet-hearted Petey who stuck his nose in the baby carriage and softly nuzzled my daughter Brianne just days after she was born,” Meredith said. “I am sure that caress gave her the passionate love for horses she has today.

“I will miss you my friend and I appreciate every moment I had with you. You were the greatest partner anyone could ever have. You will never be forgotten Petey. Rest in peace my love.”

‘This means the world’: Whitaker’s thrilling start to 2023 and Ehning versus von Eckermann – who won this week

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 16:53:56 +0000

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

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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

BASEL - Longines CHI Classics 2023VON ECKERMANN Henrik (SWE), King EdwardLONGINES FEI Jumping World Cup™ of Basel presented by J. Safra SarasinInt. jumping competition with jump-off (1.60 m) - CSI5* Competition counts for the LONGINES RANKINGSBasel, St. Jakobshalle15. January 2023© www.sportfotos-lafrentz.de / Stefan Lafrentz (Image credit: Stefan Lafrentz)

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

‘He’s fantastic’: superb World Cup win for Scott Brash in London

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 18 Dec 2022 16:43:00 +0000

Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson took a superb home win in the London Horse Show World Cup leg, from Daniel Duesser and Killer Queen VDM, with Jodie Hall McAteer on Salt ‘N Peppa in third.

Scott and his Tokyo Olympic and 2022 World Championship ride gave a masterclass jump-off display, topped off by a mighty gallop to the last, to finish less than 0.5sec ahead of the German combination, with Jodie just over a third of a second behind.

“Hello Jefferson is fantastic,” said Scott of the Belgian-bred 13-year-old. “He’s so careful and I know I can trust him to ride fast to the last fence.”

Just seven of 37 starters had conquered Bernado Costa Cabral’s testing track in the first round; every fence came down at least once, and just four repeated the feat in the jump-off. Scott and the speedy little gelding had put in an extra stride here and there but a tight roll back to the second-last, and then that gallop, sealed the deal.

“He jumped that vertical forward so the eight [strides] was probably more forward than for the others,” Scott said. “I thought the course was tough; a bit twisty and turny to start with, and some tall verticals that were delicate, but the course-builder has done a fantastic job.”

Daniel praised the Belgian-bred 12-year-old ride, whom he owns with Stephex Stables and whose class jump-off clear came so close to securing the title.

“Of course I’d have liked to win!” he said. “But my horse jumped fantastic. When I saw Scott, I knew his horse is naturally a bit faster than mine and I’d have to leave a stride out here or there, which worked well – maybe if I’d been a bit more motivated after the last, I could have had him! I’d have loved to win but I’m really pleased with my second place.”

It was the first time Jodie had competed at this show in the five-star international classes; having jumped in the 128cm and 148cm pony championships, and having won the national under-25 title twice, she then marked her international debut with third place in the London Horse Show World Cup.

As the last to go in the jump-off, she and her mother Mandy’s 13-year-old jumped a beautiful clear that was also faster than it looked; the crowd let out a huge cheer and then shushed itself as she approached the final line so close to Scott and Jefferson’s time.

“It’s unbelievable,” said an emotional Jodie afterwards. “I’ve been coming here, or Olympia as it was, every year since I was about 10, and to come this year and do this is a dream come true.

“I didn’t think I was as close to Scott’s time as I was; you try to get in the zone and focus but I heard the crowd screaming and thought ‘Oh my god. I could actually get this done.’ I’m a bit annoyed with myself but my horse is amazing.”

Jodie added that she has been training with Ben Schröder as part of the Swiss-based young riders’ academy, and has also had help from Scott.

“I’ve had amazing support all the way,” she said. “I’ll have to come back and try to win it now!”

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(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Meet wonder horse Jefferson, who sealed Olympic GOLD for Britain: ‘We understand each other now – he’s very special’

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘If it saves one life, it’s worth it’: top showjumpers lead the way with body protection

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

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