Latest from Horse & Hound in Georgia-tame

‘A surprise comeback, but what an example he sets’: British team stalwart makes winning return in Nations Cup thriller

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 14:12:09 +0000

Great Britain landed its opening team showjumping contest of 2025, the CSIO4* Sharjah Nations Cup presented by Longines, in the United Arab Emirates yesterday (2 February). The competition marked a return to the British fold for team showjumping stalwart William Funnell, who last jumped in a Nations Cup two years ago, and his exceptional double clear with Equine America Billy Picador proved pivotal to Great Britain’s victory.

“The strength of the team is brilliant, so credit to them all,” said Great Britain’s chef d’equipe Di Lampard.

The British squad was led out by pathfinder Joe Stockdale with Renske Quelhorst’s exciting nine-year-old Billy Santorini, who was jumping in his first Nations Cup. The pair jumped for four faults and a clear.

Georgia Tame, 27, was contesting only her second show with 10-year-old Be Golden, having helped to produce the son of Golden Hawk, out of Shane Breen’s great mare Zarnita, in his younger days for Breen Equestrian. The pair picked up 16 faults in round one but returned for a smashing clear in round two, just picking up one time-fault.

Johnnie Walker, an 11-year-old Harley VDL gelding, was another horse making his team debut having been beautifully produced by Lily Attwood, and the pair posted a crucial clear in the opening round before their eight faults in round two became the drop score.

Having stepped aside from jumping in team competitions while he took the role of chef d’equipe to the UAE showjumping team on their journey to the Paris 2024 Olympics, William Funnell made a welcome return to the British squad, jumping a brilliant double clear on the squad’s second Billy Stud-bred horse, the 13-year-old mare Equine America Billy Picador. Picador, like Santorini, is by Billy Mexico but out of Animo mare Bidorette.

Finishing on a team score of five faults, Great Britain won gold, ahead of the UAE riders in second, three penalties adrift. The three-rider squads of Belgium and Germany took third and fourth respectively, and Ireland finished fifth.

Nations Cup showjumping thriller: great team spirit

Di Lampard told H&H the win was “a fantastic start to the season”.

“It was a real mix of new and old and the fact every rider contributed is great,” she said. “It was fantastic to see Billy Santorini starting his Nations Cup career so well with Joe Stockdale, he looks very promising and Joe is really maturing. The horse hasn’t been competed a lot but has been very carefully produced and it just shows that when you get the foundations right, they can step up.

“Georgia hasn’t been riding Be Golden very long so it was a great show of her horsemanship – it was just towards the end of the first round that it started to unravel, but she was supported well in the second round and she’s a great rider.”

A surprise return to the British team

Di described Lily Attwood’s journey to the top with Johnnie Walker as “a feather in her cap”, adding that there was “no bigger surprise than having William riding for us again”.

“He was fantastic and it just goes to show that he still wants to ride and to do it well, and what an example he sets; I told him what a brilliant performance it was and for all of his pupils to see. To pick things back up at Nations Cups after a couple of years out is amazing, but especially to do it with a double clear. It just looked so good,” she said.

Great Britain wins the Nations Cup of Sharjah. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“I must confess I didn’t ask William initially to ride in the team because last year he had his other commitments and couldn’t do it. But it wasn’t until they were talking among themselves out there in the UAE and Stanny van Paesschen said to me he thought William might ride on the team if asked. So it was a really good team spirit out there that got this team together.”

William Funnell’s last Nations Cup showjumping appearance for Great Britain came two years ago and this time around he was also acting as chef d’equipe to the runners-up UAE, resulting in some friendly rivalry between the top two teams.

“I cantered in for my second round knowing that Great Britain could win, but if I had once fence down, the UAE would win, so it was a bit of a win-win situation!” William told H&H. “It was fantastic to have two Billy Mexico horses on the team – both Santorini and Picador are horses my wife Pippa Funnell produced and I thought Joe did a fantastic job, he’s really come of age as a rider, whether it’s riding his young ones or the horses he knows. He’s doing a sterling job and Santorini looks to have a big future for him.

“It wasn’t my plan to jump the Nations Cup but it was great to be able to support the British team as well as the UAE team – I actually thought having me on the team would egg the UAE riders on a bit, because they didn’t want to get beaten by me!”

Next stop, Longines League Of Nations

The next team contest for Great Britain will be the five-star Longines League of Nations, which kicks off in Abu Dhabi on 15 February. Joe Stockdale will be back in action, this time with Ebanking, and he will be joined by Tim Gredley on Imperial HBF, Donald Whitaker on either Picasso VD Zwartbleshoeve or Millfield Colette, and Robert Murphy riding either Hulde G or Kannem JA Z.

“Hopefully we see some nice partnerships coming through to introduce and hopefully everybody can keep hold of the horses; everything’s looking good,” said Di. “Off the back of the Games, I think it has put a bounce in everybody’s step.”

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

You may also be interested in:

(Image credit: Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves)

‘A new focus’: top British rider steps back to help UAE prepare for Paris 2024

(Image credit: Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves)

‘A rollercoaster of emotions’: the ups and downs of showjumping as new team final serves up thriller

(Image credit: Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves)

A ‘difficult’ young horse is transformed, a gentle giant wins and there’s a big milestone in a champion’s career

(Image credit: Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves)

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

Simply Splendid start as HOYS international jumping gets under way

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 16:03:42 +0000

It’s been a Simply Splendid start to the international showjumping at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) with two great British victories.

Georgia Tame and Z7 Caretina put in a superb performance to win the Grandstand Welcome Stakes, the first HOYS international showjumping class, then James Smith and Simply Splendid won the Stoneleigh Stakes speed class shortly afterwards.

Georgia and Team Z7’s 10-year-old mare had a tough job as speed merchant Guy Williams and Cicero II had set a blistering pace in the two-phase class. But the naturally fast Coltaire Z x Caretino mare put in a deceptively fast round to take almost a second off Guy’s time.

“I don’t think I’ve beaten Guy too often!” laughed Georgia. “When I walked the course, I made a plan, then I watched a few go. I didn’t get to see Guy but I saw his time was a lot quicker than theirs. But she’s a fast horse, and it all worked out.”

Georgia said the mare, whom she has had four years, is quite hot, and “likes to go fast”.

“She’s actually easier when she goes faster,” she said. “She’s great fun, and always tries really hard. She’s got a massive stride, and is so brave; you can just spin her round, and whatever fence is there, she’ll jump it.”

Georgia said it is “great to be back” at HOYS, her first show since her senior championship debut at the European Championships last month.

“And I hope the week carries on as well as it started!” she said. “I learned so much at the Euros, and I’ve had a few weeks to practise what I’ve learned. I’m looking forward to the future.”

James Smith riding Simply Splendid, winner of Class 12, NAEC Stoneleigh Stake, during the Horse of the Year Show held at the NEC in Birmingham in UK between 6 -10th October 2021 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

The Stoneleigh Stakes, a speed class that Georgia won on Quintella in 2019, went to James and Lee Smith’s British-bred 12-year-old, and was the first senior class James had won at HOYS.

“I won the 138 [championship] in 2005, so it’s great to finally win a senior class!” he said.

“He’s naturally a fast horse and everything just came up well today.”

James has been riding the Ustinov gelding for three years, but said he has “really come into his own in the last year or so”.

“He’s not what I’d call the nicest to ride; he does it all in his own way,” he said. “He’s not difficult but he’s a real character who has his moments, and he likes to throw in a buck or two. He’s like a big pony.”

James and Simply Splendid will take on the accumulator tomorrow, and Sunday’s speed horse of the year class.

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Superb Foxhunter final win for British-bred mare — at her first indoor show

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Fences Still Standing as Elton John takes HOYS title

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

‘I owed it to him’: PE teacher and 21-year-old horse take HOYS title

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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

Britain’s pathfinder retires in team medal decider at European Showjumping Championships

Becky Murray — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 12:29:42 +0000

Great Britain’s pathfinder Georgia Tame’s final round in the team competition did not go to plan as she retired at the European Showjumping Championships at Riesenback, Germany, on Friday (3 September).

The 23-year-old, who is competing at her first senior championship with the 10-year-old stallion Z7 Ascot, jumped the first and second of Frank Rothenberger’s track clear, but a refusal at the third, a big wall, led to Georgia putting her hand up and calling it a day.

On the first day of competition (1 September) Georgia picked up four faults with Ascot Z7, co-owned by Breen Equestrian and Team Z7. Yesterday (2 September) the pair had nine faults after a foot in the water and a rail down coming out of the double late on course. They also had a time-fault.

Great Britain’s performance manager Di Lampard has brought a young and relatively inexperienced squad to contest these European Showjumping Championships. Georgia has been based at Hickstead with her trainer Shane Breen since 2015, and yesterday said the stallion felt “more relaxed” going into the arena, but today was not meant to be.

The top 10 teams, out of 15 nations, have come forward in today’s medal deciding round with Britain starting the day in eighth on 33.18. At the start of the day Switzerland were in gold-medal position, Germany in silver, and Sweden in bronze. Defending champions Belgium were in fourth.

Georgia will be followed into the ring at the European Showjumping Championships by her team-mates Emily Moffitt (Winning Good), Joe Stockdale (Equine America Cacharel) and William Whitaker (Galtur).

* More to follow…

What time the Brits are in action in today’s European Championships medal decider

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 09:28:31 +0000

The team competition at the European Showjumping Championships in Riesenbeck, Germany, is to conclude today with one medal-deciding round of jumping.

The young British team is in eighth place going into this afternoon’s competition, with Switzerland, Germany and Sweden in the medal spots, and Ireland in fifth place. The class starts at 1pm local tine (12noon UK time), with those riders only competing as individuals jumping first, then a 20-minute break before the first team combination enters the arena.

European Showjumping Championships approx times: British riders in first competition

Georgia Tame and Z7 Ascot: approx 1.42pm local time; 12.42pm UK time
Emily Moffitt and Winning Good: approx 2.02pm local time; 1.02m UK time
Joe Stockdale and Equine America Cacharel: approx 2.42pm local time; 1.42pm UK time
William Whitaker and Galtur: approx 3.02pm local time; 2.02pm UK time

The first Irish rider will be Daniel Coyle on Legacy, at about 1.48pm (12.48pm), with Michael Duffy and Zilton SL Z in at about 2.08pm (1.08pm). Eoin McMahon and Chacon 2 are due to jump at about 2.48pm (1.48pm) and Mark McAuley on Jasco VD Bisschop at about 3.08pm (2.08pm).

The combinations currently in the individual medal positions are all due to jump about two hours in; third-placed Swede Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, on Ermindo W, at about 2.52pm (1.52pm), Germany’s Christian Kukuk on Mumbai, who are in the silver-medal position, at about 2.54pm (1.54pm) and reigning European champion Martin Fuchs, who is in the lead in the individual competition with Leone Jei, will jump at about 2.56pm (1.56pm).

As well as deciding the team European Showjumping Championships medals, today’s scores also count towards the individual standings. The top 25 combinations at the close of play qualify for Sunday’s medal decider. Britain’s William Whitaker and Galtur are currently in 26th place.

Britain through to team medal decider in nail-biting European Championships

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 15:56:29 +0000

The British team has made it through to tomorrow’s team final at the European Showjumping Championships, after a nail-biting thriller of a competition.

All four combinations — Georgia Tame and Z7 Ascot, Emily Moffitt and Winning Good, Joe Stockdale and Equine America Cacharel and William Whitaker on Galtur — had jumped far better rounds than the score sheets might indicate. And after a tense afternoon in which it was all change in the team order, the Swiss came out on top, with Germany still in silver-medal position and Sweden in third place.

Britain had been in 12th place going into this second competition of the championships but adding today’s 16-fault total to yesterday’s 17.18 gave them a total of 33.18, which was good enough for eighth place overnight.

The top 10 teams go forward to tomorrow’s (3 September) medal decider, which gets under way at 12noon UK time.

The top 25 combinations after tomorrow go through to contest the individual medals on Sunday; William is currently the highest placed British rider in 26th place.

Great Britain’s showjumping performance manager Di Lampard told H&H she was very proud of every member of the young British team.

“My goal was to get them through to Friday, and that’s been achieved,” she said. “I’m delighted that they’ll get another day of this wonderful experience.”

Di said giving these up-and-coming combinations championship experience is the way to build strength in depth for British showjumping in future.

“To think we’ve got three [championship] debutants here, it’s amazing,” she said. “Georgia hasn’t jumped a five-star before on that horse, and he’s a big stallion for her but she rode fantastic, and was unlucky. Joe’s 21, the youngest rider in the competition, and he’s only jumped two five-stars. Emily’s at her first championship, and William’s horse has only jumped two five-stars, and only one with him.

“I hope this is a trampoline for their careers, and I could not be prouder of them all.”

It was Switzerland’s day today though; Elian Baumann on Campari Z, Martin Fuchs on Leone Jei and Steve Guerdat on Albfuehren’s Maddox all jumped clear to give them a team total of 5.47.

Steve came to the championships in a year that has not favoured him so far; he lost his top mare Bianca in June, and had had “a bit of a downer” since.

“I thought today, if everything doesn’t feel as confident and smooth as normally, I have to at least fight and that’s one thing I have control over,” he said, “The spirit. To show the good spirit out there.

“And because I’m not having the best run, I have to fight maybe more than normally. But this is sport and this is what I’m trying to do and my hope is that with luck on my side and that together we can fight through to the best possible results.”

He added that although it is positive to be in the lead, there is still “a long way to go”.

“Everything is still out there,” he said. “The teams are quite close, and we hope that the horses are jumping well to give it another try tomorrow.”

Germany are less than a fence behind, with 8.77 penalties. Andre Thieme on DSP Chakaria, and Christian Kukuk on his Tokyo ride Mumbai, both jumped clear, while yesterday’s winners David Will and C Vier caught the second part of the final double — the downfall of so many today — to finish on four faults.

Sweden are again less than a fence behind the Germans; Peder Fredricson on Catch Me Not S and Douglas Lindelow on Casquo Blue clocked up four faults apiece, while Rolf-Goran Bengtsson on Ermindo W jumped clear for a team total of 11.59 penalties.

Belgium are in fourth place on 17.34 and Ireland pulled up from seventh to fifth place with a total of 20.73.

In the individual European Showjumping Championships standings, reigning champion Martin Fuchs is in the lead on 1.31 penalties, with Christian Kukuk in second on 1.93 and Rolf-Goran Bengtsson in third on 1.96.

Tough start for British pathfinder at European Showjumping Championships

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 12:15:23 +0000

Great Britain’s pathfinder Georgia Tame produced a nine-fault round for the team on day two of the European Showjumping Championships at Riesenbeck, Germany, on Thursday (2 September).

The 23-year-old, who is competing at her first senior championship riding the 10-year-old Non Stop gelding Z7 Ascot, rode a lovely round over Frank Rothenberger’s testing 1.60m track. However their first faults came with a foot in the water jump and they picked up another four faults coming out of the double late on the course. The pair also picked up a time-fault.

The score for Georgia and Z7 Ascot, who is co-owned by Breen Equestrian and Team Z7 and was bred in Ireland by Marion Hughes, after two days of jumping is now 18.98.

Georgia said she had felt “more relaxed” going into the championship arena for the second time.

“He warmed up great, it felt really good. I thought the course would suit him, it was careful and he is really careful,” she said.

“I didn’t realise I was in the water and coming out of the double, I just held him a bit too much and he just chipped it behind — but he jumped unreal and I am so happy with him.

“He’s been like knocking on the door for a while and he deserves to be recognised for what he does.”

Great Britain’s performance manager Di Lampard has brought a young and relatively inexperienced squad to contest these European Showjumping Championships and Georgia will have benefitted hugely from jumping under these tough conditions. The talented young rider has been based at Hickstead in West Sussex with trainer Shane Breen since 2015 and has developed into one of the country’s leading young talents. She has represented Great Britain on senior Nations Cups and is a very competitive individual rider, too.

“It’s been amazing to be here, especially as the horse has only ever jumped one 4*, he’s never even seen a jump this big. At home we only jump him to 1.10m, so it’s a bit of a shock!” she said.

“The atmosphere is great and so is having such a supportive team, with everyone behind you. The whole team is young and we’re learning together, so it’s been a really great experience.”

Georgia will be followed into the ring at the European Showjumping Championships by her team-mates Emily Moffitt (Winning Good), Joe Stockdale (Equine America Cacharel) and William Whitaker (Galtur).

Only the top 10 teams from the 15 nations who set out will continue to Friday’s medal decider. The individual competition concludes on Sunday (5 September) with two rounds to decide which combinations will claim the medals.

What time the Brits are in action at the Europeans today, plus how to watch

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 10:21:27 +0000

The team competition at the European Showjumping Championships continues this afternoon (2 September), with all four British riders in action.

The Nations Cup competition, in which both team and individual riders jump, starts at 1pm German time (12pm BST) with the eight individual riders coming into the ring first. All combinations carry forward penalty points calculated from their finishing positions in yesterday’s speed class.

European Showjumping Championships approx times: British riders

Georgia Tame and Z7 Ascot: approx 1.18pm local time; 12.18pm UK time
Emily Moffitt and Winning Good: approx 1.26pm local time; 12.26am UK time
Joe Stockdale and Equine America Cacharel: approx 1.36pm local time; 12.36pm UK time
William Whitaker and Galtur: approx 13.46pm local time; 12.46pm UK time

Czech rider Vladimir Tretera, on Gangster VH Noddevelt, will be the last rider of the teams in 11th-15th place, then the first rider of the teams in the top 10, Zascha Nygaard Andreasen on Quinn 33, will be in the ring at about 13.50pm (12.50pm).

The first Irish rider will be Daniel Coyle on Legacy, at about 1.56pm (12.56pm), with Michael Duffy and Zilton SL Z in at about 2.31pm (1.31pm). Eoin McMahon and Chacon 2 are due to jump at about 2.51pm (1.51pm) and Mark McAuley on Jasco VD Bisschop at about 3.11pm (2.11pm).

Defending champion Martin Fuchs, on Leone Jei, will jump at about 2.59pm (1.59pm), yesterday’s winners David Will and C Vier go second-last at about 3.21pm (2.21pm) and Olympic silver medallist Peder Fredricson, on Catch Me Not S, rounds off the class at about 3.23pm (2.23pm).

The top 10 teams after today’s competition will go through to tomorrow’s second Nations Cup round, which will decide the team medals. All faults will be carried forward.

The competition is being broadcast and we have all the details on how to watch the European Showjumping Championships live for you via this link.

Solid start for Great Britain at the European Showjumping Championships

Jennifer Donald — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 09:53:01 +0000

Great Britain’s bid for glory in the European Showjumping Championships began this morning with a solid opening round from pathfinder Georgia Tame on Z7 Ascot.

The 23-year-old had the daunting task of jumping first from a field of 65 in the opening leg of this championship in Riesenbeck, Germany, and came home with just four faults at an early oxer to add to her time for a score of 91.62.

The 2021 European Showjumping Championships is Georgia’s senior championship debut and she received some words of advice from her trainer Shane Breen as she entered the ring with Team Z7’s son of Non Stop, bred in Ireland by Marion Hughes.

The pair looked to relish the challenge of Frank Rothenberger’s track – which has been throwing up faults from start to finish – producing a smooth and polished performance with just one rail down, much to the delight of Great Britain’s performance manager Di Lampard and her three team-mates at the European Showjumping Championships.

Georgia Tame is followed into the ring today by Emily Moffitt (Winning Good), Joe Stockdale (Equine America Cacharel) and William Whitaker (Galtur) for today’s opening leg of five rounds. The championship continues on Thursday, with the team medals being decided on Friday before the individual final on Sunday (5 September).

Sweden, who claimed team gold at the Olympics last month, come into these European Showjumping Championships as red hot favourites while Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs arrives in Germany as the reigning individual European champion.

You may also be interested to read…

(Image credit: Hippo Foto)

Britain first into the arena as European Showjumping Championships start

(Image credit: Hippo Foto)

How to watch the European Showjumping Championships live – your full guide for 2021

(Image credit: Hippo Foto)

European Showjumping Championships: medal predictions and ones to watch

(Image credit: Hippo Foto)

Georgia Tame’s jet set showjumper blog: five shows and a Windsor win

Georgia has been flat out competing in the UK and in Europe — here she gives us a tour around

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

Georgia Tame’s jet-set showjumper vlog: Dubai to Paris, via some good old British weather

Georgia Tame — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 10:55:00 +0000

Since my last vlog I have finished up in Dubai and travelled back home. I had an unforgettable time out in the UAE, with all the horses going from strength to strength and giving me some amazing results.

Highlights have to be the three five-star shows I went to. With the incredible eight-year-old Z7 Caretina taking the win in the accumulator at the World Cup show in Dubai, and the legend that is Cash Up was insanely consistent, jumping double clears in two World Cup classes and finishing off the tour with a placing in the five-star grand prix at the Nations Cup show in Abu Dhabi.

Many, many thanks to Sheika Maitha and Team Z7, to Breen Equestrian and to Leo Tierney. I know I mention this a lot, but us riders are nothing without our teams, and the final results are an accumulation of what everybody puts in. The final thank you has to go to all the wonderful horses — never have I had such an exciting group to ride, and what a couple of months they have given me.

I have now been in the UK for a couple of weeks and settled the horses back down to try and cope with the English weather(!). They all felt quite fresh when the wind wouldn’t stop blowing — something I haven’t missed while being out in Dubai. Although it’s nice this week to feel that spring could be on its way and how lucky I am not to have had to battle through a whole English winter!

Last weekend we headed out to Paris and Cash Up delivered once again. I have honestly run out of words for how much I love this horse! He was mega, finishing second in the under-25 grand prix and then we won the team competition along with Amy Inglis. Amy and I have been friends for a long time, so it was great that us Sussex girls picked up the win out in France.

I have to sometimes pinch myself for how much Cash Up has done for me — he is an absolute hero and I love every minute of riding him.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: Future)

Georgia Tame’s jet-set showjumper vlog: sometimes I have to pinch myself

Georgia has enjoyed the biggest win of her career while out in the UAE

2019 marks my first year as a fully-fledged senior in showjumping and it’s always a slightly daunting moment when youth teams are no longer an option. You spend a lot of your junior years with these championships as such huge aims and I can’t quite believe I am now out of them — where does time go?! But what I do know is that I am so hugely fortunate to have the team I’ve got behind me. With the support of Breen Equestrian, I couldn’t be better set up so feel as ready as I can be for the next step — bring it on!

G x

Music: ‘Funday’ from Bensound.com

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

Georgia Tame’s jet-set showjumper blog: a quick trip to Belgium and HGV success

Georgia Tame — Tue, 02 Oct 2018 09:55:21 +0000

It’s been a few weeks since my last blog as we have been non-stop — I’ve barely had time to sit down! Since I last wrote I’ve competed on home turf at the All England Championships at Hickstead, been to and back from Lier for the CSI3*, and just last weekend we were up at Arena UK.

Starting from the beginning of September; we were back home at Hickstead’s September show. This is an amazing event for us as it gives some of the youngsters a chance to have a look around the main arena (although it does mean A LOT of horses to ride in one show — lucky I love it!).

Z7 Crsipen was the star of the week though for me, putting his experience to good use, coming fourth in the grand prix, made only better that my boss, Shane Breen and Clyde VA claimed the win (Shane’s fourth win at Hickstead this year!). Z7 Caretina did brilliantly in the six- and seven-year-olds qualifying for the championships, giving me a lovely round for seventh place.

From Hickstead it was a quick turn around to pack up and head to Belgium for the CSI3* and CSIYH1* where I had Z7 Carentina, Z7 Cash Up, Coquette Chapotiere, Z7 Canya Dance and Z7 Colmar. I got to catch up with the amazing Emily Ward here, who is a fellow showjumper (she makes a very brief appearance in the video — I think she’s a little camera shy!).

We were then home for about a week, which was a chance for some much needed catch up time for me. It was great to have the girls from Stride Management come out to take some pictures and talk through what I’m doing. Stride are my management company who help me with the organisation of my life — most of the time storing all the videos I get so they are ready to show you guys. They even managed to get super groom Leo on camera while he sorted through all our kit and got the tack locker packed up! In between all this I was introduced to the amazing Vicki from Victorious Jewellery and fell in love with everything (for those of you with a beady eye, I’m wearing my some of her pieces in my video).

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Georgie Tame’s jet-set showjumper blog: I’m extremely lucky

Now that I’ve passed my HGV (after much studying and practice — full credit goes to Breen Team’s Chloe Breen for making sure I got there), Leo and I can now head off with a ream of horses on our own. So, the two of us headed to (a very windy!) Arena UK with five horses, where I was hoping to defend the under-25 title that I won with Z7 Cash Up last year. Sadly, this wasn’t our year, even though Z7 Crispen did two great double clears we just weren’t quite fast enough, but we did manage to take fourth place. The young horses jumped well all week placing in a lot of their classes, so overall, a success!

Keep an eye out for my next blog where I’ll be giving you a run through a day in the life of a competitor at the Horse of the Year Show…

Georgia

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Georgia Tame’s jet set showjumper blog: the kind of news that means you have to pinch yourself

Georgia Tame — Tue, 29 May 2018 09:55:13 +0000

This week my competition news comes from France where I had four horses competing at Bethune CSI3*. It was one of those ‘nearly’ weeks.

The horses all felt on great form, but I just had a touch of four-fault-itis. However, there were still some great moments particularly with Z7 Caretina who came fourth in the seven-year-old class. She is a great mare and I’m really excited to see what the future holds. The main man, Z7 Cash Up, put in an incredible effort in the 1.55m to just breathe on a rail and have it down, but I’m still so proud of him and everything he is doing at the moment. We have such a busy schedule and he just keeps on giving me such lovely rounds.

You will see in my vlog that sadly it was my last show with the amazing Rosie. She has been the most vital and brilliant part of my support team. The horses all adore her, they always look amazing and I have loved working with her. Myself and the rest of the Breen Team are so sad to see her go but wish her all the luck in the world with her next adventure.

There have also been two pieces of quite exciting news. Firstly, I am thrilled to announce that I am now a brand ambassador for Kaval International who sell the most amazing riding wear, for both competition and at home. I am so grateful for their support and to Stride Management, who look after all of my PR, marketing and sponsorship, who have guided me through the whole process. Stride will be supporting me with all of my responsibilities as an ambassador, as with my hectic show schedule, I need all the help I can get! I will be wearing Kaval products from now on, so have a look at my Instagram to see the latest equestrian fashion from them.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Georgia Tame’s jet set showjumper blog: five shows and a Windsor win

Georgia has been flat out competing in the UK and in Europe — here she gives us a tour around

Onto the second piece of news — the amazing Z7 Cash Up and I have been selected for the senior nations cup team at the Lisbon CSIO3* next week! This is will be my first appearance on a senior team and I am still pinching myself that I have made the cut. My team mates are Ellen Whitaker, Amy Inglis (a fellow Sussex girl) and Jake Saywell (another former Breen Team member — watch out for an intro from him in my vlog). To say I am excited is an understatement, but I am just trying to treat it as any other show and make sure Cash Up has the best possible preparation.

My next vlog will be all about my experience in Lisbon, Portugal so make sure to check back in to see how the team and I get on!

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

In this week’s edition, out on 24 May, don’t miss our “cob special”, including how to find the perfect cob, meet champion cob Our Cashel Blue and more.

Georgia Tame’s jet set showjumper blog: five shows and a Windsor win

Georgia Tame — Wed, 16 May 2018 09:55:12 +0000

It’s all go! I’ve had a pretty busy time since my last vlog — it’s been non-stop.

This week’s update looks at my preparations with Z7 Cash Up in the lead up to my first appearance for Team GB on the young rider squad in Fontainebleau, and a quick round up from Royal Windsor, which is another amazing show.

It is great in the UK that we have access to so many top national shows, being at Hickstead is always a bonus, but we also have Pyecombe showground just down the road which is an amazing facility that holds some great competitions. I had the perfect prep run with Cash Up here at the end of April — he won both his classes including the grand prix, which was a great boost ahead of our French trip.

Next up was Chepstow International. This is a fairly new international in the UK and a great addition to our calendar. All the horses jumped well and had great week. It was perfect for me to jump around some international courses ahead of going to Europe. The show did a really good job as the weather conditions where not ideal, and although a lot of the jumping was on a surface, they made a huge effort trying to keep the surrounding stabling areas as dry as possible (as shown by the huge amounts of straw around our stables in the video!).

Now onto the big event, which was my first appearance on a GB young rider team in Fontainebleau with Team Z7’s amazing Cash Up. My lovely mum, Karen, was appointed chief groom for the week and off we set to France. I have to say, Fontainebleau has to be one of the most beautiful showgrounds in the world and it was the most amazing setting for showjumping.

We arrived with plenty of time to settle in before our first individual jumping class on the Thursday and it was good to catch up with GB riders Leonie Aitkenhead, Christie Pritchard, Will Fletcher and Emily Ward (two of which — Emily and Will — make cameo appearances in my video).

The first day of jumping was good as Cash Up produced a lovely clear — a great start. We then all got focused for the Nations Cup event the following day. The team order was drawn as Leonie, Christie, Will and then me.

Before I went in, the team had already done a fantastic job in the first round with brilliant clears from Leonie and Will and an unlucky four faults for Christie, which meant we were in a strong position. This on reflection was a blessing as sadly Cash Up and I had an annoying two down and a time fault, meaning I was the drop score.

However, there was no time to dwell, and after more difficult rounds for my team mates (Leonie had eight faults, Christie 12 faults and Will four faults), the pressure was really on as I was in anchor spot. I had a much better round with only one down, but again also a time-fault! Which meant Team GB finished in mid-div in sixth place. Overall it was a great learning curve for our team and there is lots to build on moving forward with the season.

Continued below…

Like this? You might also enjoy reading these:

Georgia Tame’s jet set showjumper blog: take a look around Breen Equestrian, where I am based

It was then onto the beautiful Royal Windsor Horse Show which we have literally just arrived home from. This has to be one of the most scenic UK events and what a back-drop with the castle behind. This show historically has been quite lucky for me (Acoustik Solo Du Baloubet and I took the win in the Land Rover A&B last year), so I was over the moon that the lovely mare Z7 Qamar tried her heart out to give me the win for the second consecutive year.

We are well and truly into show season now and I am loving every minute of all the opportunities I get from being a Breen rider. We’ve got lots of plans for competing in the UK and Europe coming up, so I’ll keep the vlogs coming from all the amazing venues!

G x

Georgia Tame’s jet set showjumper blog: take a look around Breen Equestrian, where I am based

Georgia Tame — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 09:55:05 +0000

I’ve had a good couple of weeks touching base at home after arriving back from Dubai and then heading to Lier in Belgium, where all the horses continued their good form and were really consistent.

While I have got a moment to re-group, I thought it would be a good time to show you guys at bit of an insight into Breen Equestrian and the amazing facilities we have.

I have been based at Hickstead for the past four years with Shane and Chloe Breen, and I still have to pinch myself that I am here and getting such amazing opportunities.

Shane is a true horse genius and you learn so much from just watching him work his horses. I think it is a real bonus in showjumping that top riders take us young riders on to show us the ropes and it is something that Breen does on a great scale. Not only is there the top-class tuition I receive from both Shane and Michael Quirke, but also the whole aspect of managing horses and working with an incredible team (some of who you will meet in my vlog!).

Another huge benefit of being at Breen, is the fantastic facilities we have for the horses which I give you a quick tour of in my video. The relatively recently installed indoor arena in the top yard is such a great space and with the British weather the way it is, we are very lucky to have it to save us being soaked on a regular basis!

Continued below…

Like this? You might also enjoy reading these:

Georgia Tame’s jet set showjumper blog: an eye-opening experience

I also love being able to take the horses around the showground. I grew up very locally to Hickstead, watching from a young age and went from jumping ponies to horses at the show throughout my childhood. To now be able to ride the horses looking over the turf of the famous international arena, is pretty inspirational and gives me great motivation to keep working and improving so I can make my mark in that ring!

I’ve also had some quite exciting news this week. My awesome Team Z7 ride Cash Up and I have been selected to represent Team GB in the young rider Nations Cup team in Fontainebleau at the beginning of May. So in my next blog I will be filling you guys in on all my preparations and fingers crossed it will all be going to plan!

G x

Georgia Tame’s jet set showjumper blog: an eye-opening experience

Georgia Tame — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 10:55:09 +0000

I’m now back from the UAE. I can’t believe how time has absolutely flown by and although I’m so happy to back with the rest of the Breen Team I do already miss it out there.

For my final blog about my time out there, I wanted to talk about the last show I was at. Although the other members of the Breen Team left at the end of February, I was lucky enough to stay on a bit longer so that I could attend the 5TH FBMA International Showjumping Cup in Sharjah, a show that I had been really looking forward to it as it is dedicated to female riders.

This unique show coined the hashtag #FBMA, which stands for Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sport Academy and its mission is to empower women and girls in the UAE through promoting them within the sport.

This event has highlighted to me how I have taken for granted the natural equality I have as a sportsperson in the UK, where equestrian sports sees men and women on a completely level playing field. The whole experience has opened my eyes to how awareness still needs raising in other places around the world — hence this academy, and the fantastic people working to bring to the credit of all sportswomen. I didn’t realise it before, but I feel quite strongly that whether you are a man, woman, girl or boy, we should all be given fair opportunities.

Showjumping is the perfect sport to use as an example. In many countries the sport shows that gender and age provide no barrier to making it to the top, and as we all know it is one of the very few sports where men and women compete at Olympic and championship level in in the same classes against each other. The now viral #thisgirlcan hashtag has never been so true to an industry as more and more women are proving there are no limits, so long as you are willing to work hard, and out here I have met so many hard-working, inspiring women.

For this show I had some of the top Z7 horses come with me, and none of them disappointed. Z7 Caretina and Z7 Qamar both placed well throughout the weekend. But of course my main man, Z7 Cash Up, got to show off and we finished with a third place in the grand prix, a class hotly contested by an impressive field of top female riders. In the video above I chat to the lovely Cecilie Hatteland about how she feels about winning this prestigious class (I think I might be a better rider than I am interviewer, but you get the gist!).

Continued below…

Like this? You might also enjoy reading these:

Georgia Tame’s jet set showjumping blog: there’s no ‘I’ in team

Writing these blogs for you guys to read gives me the opportunity to sit down and reflect on my trip. It really has been awesome, but in particular it has been invaluable experience for both me as a rider and for the horses. They have all excelled themselves when faced with high pressure classes in the blistering heat and all have achieved our goals for them. In my vlog I talk more about the horses and how they have come on and give you a little background as to why I rode one particular course like I did.

I’m now back, but am already packing my bags again as we have a couple of days to turn everything around and then we are off to Belgium for a show in Leir for two weeks (#thisgirlcan!).

Georgia

Georgia Tame’s jet set showjumping blog: there’s no ‘I’ in team

Georgia Tame — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 10:55:32 +0000

It’s been a bit of whirlwind here this since I last blogged. As you all know I was due to take part in my first five-star event out here in Abu Dhabi, which I was so excited for, so I had been training hard to make sure that I was prepared. Sadly due to confusion in the office beyond my control, I was no longer able to attend, which slightly threw off my plans to debut the show on this blog!

In the spirit of onwards and upwards I thought it was high time you met the team out here.

Your team in any sport is so important — we’re all familiar with the cliché ‘there’s no ‘I’ in team’, but this is particularly relevant in the equestrian world. The horses and the riders are what most people see and we are the ones that get the unbelievable feeling of jumping round courses at some of the best shows in the world. But behind all that, there is a key group of amazing people working tirelessly to make this possible.

As equestrian athletes, we have to keep ourselves fit, train hard and make sure we are ready for every competition, but we are nothing without the horses. Everyone featured in my vlog today plays such a big part out here in making sure all horses are happy and healthy and at the top of their game — the riding and training is just one element of this.

It is a real system here that cannot work without everyone, and organising us all (probably the hardest job of all) are Laura and Claire. They are so dedicated to all horses, riders and staff making sure everything is running smoothly and we are all doing what we need to be doing. The best thing about these two is how much they love their job — it lifts everyone to know that while we all have our part to play, they make it possible to enjoy every second of it.

Nasacat has been with the team for so long. He helps make sure the horses are looking and running at their best, which is no easy job — you’ll see on the vlog the care and detail put in during feed time – which is just one piece of honed routine that he follows for the horses. Along with this, Nasacat and Milan exercise the horses to make sure they are kept fit in the blazing heat, which trust me is exhausting!

Our farrier, Alex, shoes all the horses, and with over 90 to be done, he is definitely kept busy continuously making sure that the horses’ feet are 100% healthy and in good nick!

Continued below…

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Georgia Tame’s jet set showjumper blog: I’ve fallen in love with my sport all over again

Georgia has arrived in glorious Dubai where she gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what she has been up to

Being at Breen Equestrian means I am used to working in a team, but it can be hard to leave everyone behind to work with a new set up — you get used to how everyone operates, their personalities, way with the horses and how you gel together. Although I always knew that Z7 has a phenomenal team [Shane Breen took on 30 Team Z7 horses last year] , I was nervous about coming out here and how I would slot in, but they have all been so amazing. It is very easy to work alongside people that you have so much respect for; their knowledge of the horses and the showjumping world is something that I have loved to be around and has taught me so much.

Have a watch and meet the team, what they find are the best and worst parts of the job and who their favourite horses on the yard are.

Georgia

Georgia Tame’s jet set showjumper blog: I’ve fallen in love with my sport all over again

Georgia Tame — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 10:55:21 +0000

I’ve arrived in Dubai and oh my word! Firstly, the heat — not to complain, life isn’t too shabby not having to pull on the thermals and waterproofs in the morning. In fact, I’ll stop there. I feel the chances of getting sympathy because it’s too hot in January might be quite slim!

As you can see in my video, I am based in the most amazing surroundings out here — even the view on my walk to the arena is the stuff of dreams.

The horses aren’t complaining too much either; after a few days in isolation, they joined me here to begin training Team Z7 style — in their school where you have to concentrate really hard not to just sit and look at the view!

Me in action in Dubai (Image credit: NMGH Photography)

Since then we have been non-stop as ‘Breen Team Dubai’ taking on the shows out here with the Z7 horses. Breen Team Dubai is self-coined, that’s not a new name, just Chloe, Shane, myself and a bevy of mini-Breens. But I like it, so from now on out here, we shall be the BTD’s(?)!

The shows are amazingly put together and the courses have been so nice to ride, and if I may say so myself the BTD’s have been giving everyone a run for their money.

I’ve always loved showjumping but at home it is a bit the same everywhere you go as I have been going to the same shows for so long. Out here I have fallen in love with showjumping all over again — the shows are incredible and so are all the people that are in involved in them.

Being presented with my leading rider prize (Image credit: NMGH Photography)

Continued below…

Georgia Tame’s jet set showjumper blog: I don’t believe in dwelling — onwards and upwards

The last show we were at, the Dubai two-star, was a great way to round up the first set of shows here. For me to be leading rider was out of this world and I am just so excited to get to the next one.

In a couple of week’s time I will jumping my first five-star show and I have never felt more ready.

Georgia

Georgia Tame’s jet set showjumper blog: I don’t believe in dwelling — onwards and upwards

Georgia Tame — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 10:55:14 +0000

In my last blog I left you while I was deep in preparation for Olympia Horse Show, a show that I have always wanted to take a horse to, and with the Z7 horses with me I was getting the chance.

In the week running up to Olympia, Cash Up was feeling great and training was going to plan. Shane Breen, my trainer, and I took the small journey over to Scott Brash’s yard for a last training session away from home and I was really pleased with how Cash was feeling. We just jumped a few times round a course with some more technical lines and dog legs to get our eye in without any pressure.

Saturday came, and in true horsey martyr style, we were up at 3am, ready to leave the yard at 4am. You’d think by now I would be a morning person, but I’m not sure these sleeping hours are something anybody gets used to! I travelled in the lorry with Cash Up to make sure he was happy and settled (which he always is — I think he knew where we were headed!).

Cash Up at Olympia (Image credit: creditUnknown)

When we arrived, we headed into the stables to settle my boy in and then I was straight back out to walk the course and what a course it was! It was clear from the tight, technical track built by Bob Ellis that we were going to have to move on if we were to be in with a chance of going clear inside the time.

We were third to go so I only had time to hear about the course from others watching before we went in, rather than having the time to watch for myself. The warm-up arena at Olympia is small, but this posed no problem for us as I could feel Cash Up was ready to go, even if we were both a little nervous about taking on this famous arena.

As with every show, Shane watched the riders before me and came back to give me his words of wisdom before I went in. Both riders before me had time faults so we discussed that I didn’t have any time to waste and would have to ride in a forward rhythm.

Cash Up at Olympia (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Continued below…

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Georgia Tame’s jet set showjumper blog: team Breen, Scott Brash’s, Olympia then Dubai — all in one week NEW

Meet H&H's latest blogger, who has one of the most exciting weeks of her life ahead

Although having eight faults was disappointing, the experience we gained will put us in good stead for future competitions. Shortly after my round the time was extended as it was felt it had been a little too tight. I’ve been asked by a lot of people if I think this would have made a difference for us. Who’s to say? I don’t believe in dwelling. Every round is a learning curve and you have to look forward to your next competition. Onwards, upwards, and off to Dubai!

Georgia