Latest from Horse & Hound in Global-champions-tour

‘Thank you for the moments, my friend’: farewell to Olympic horse, aged 15

Becky Murray — Fri, 29 May 2026 15:11:42 +0000

Legend, the top grand prix horse and former Olympic ride of showjumper Eduardo Alvarez Aznar, has died aged 15.

The Belgian warmblood gelding competed at the highest level around the world and represented Spain at the Tokyo Olympics and the 2021 European Championships and Nations Cup Final.

“Some days ago we had to say goodbye to Legend,” said Eduardo, on 27 May.

“Thank you for all the moments, my friend. Rest in peace.”

Legend began his international career as an eight-year-old with Belgium’s Delphine Goemaere. Eduardo took over the reins in summer 2019 and they competed in the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona in October and the Global Champions League Prague Playoffs in November, where they were third in one of the opening rounds.

As their partnership developed, they competed in World Cup legs at venues including Amsterdam, Bordeaux and Verona, and Global Champions Tour legs in Doha, Paris and Monaco. They finished 31st individually at the Tokyo Olympics and were 16th at the 2021 Europeans, where the Spanish team finished seventh.

In the last two years Eduardo and Legend enjoyed top-10 placings in five-star competitions at Royal Windsor, La Baule, Doha and Cannes. They were third in a 1.50m in Paris last March and third in the 1.60m Shanghai GCT grand prix in May 2025.

Their last competition together was the Rabat leg of the GCT in Marrakech, where they were 10th in the Longines grand prix.

Asia Olsezweska, Eduardo’s groom, described Legend as her “soulmate”.

“You always were and will be more than anyone could ever imagine,” she said.

“I’ll miss you until we meet again somewhere.”

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A wonder of the world: top riders and horses to jump in front of the Pyramids after new deal confirmed

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 17:50:35 +0000

The best horses and riders in the world will jump in front of one of the Great Wonders of the world this season, as the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) announces its latest venue.

Top Egyptian officials including the prime minister and head of the Egyptian military academy were among those at the launch of the Cairo LGCT leg this week. The event will run from 22-24 October this year.

“It is a great honour to be here today to officially announce a new and truly historic chapter for the Longines Global Champions Tour,” said LGCT president and founder Jan Tops.

“Bringing the Longines Global Champions Tour to Cairo is something truly special for all of us. To be jumping in front of the Pyramids, one of the most iconic and historic landmarks in the world, is not just a sporting milestone, but a cultural moment.

“This is where history meets modern sport, where tradition and excellence come together in a way that only this tour can deliver and we are delighted to confirm a five-year agreement of the new event.”

Belief and support

Mr Tops thanked title partner Longines, and Qatar Museums and ACUD, as well as the Egyptian officials, as “without your belief, cooperation, and support, this event would simply not be possible”.

“For our riders, teams, partners, and fans around the world, this is an unforgettable setting,” he said. “It is a stage unlike any other, and one that reflects exactly what the Longines Global Champions Tour stands for: innovation, ambition, and pushing boundaries.

“We are incredibly excited – not just about a new event, but about what this represents. Cairo is a powerful symbol of our continued expansion and our commitment to bringing top-level showjumping to new regions, new audiences and new cultures.

“This is another huge step forward for the tour. Over the years, we have grown into a truly global championship, and today we proudly add Cairo to that journey. It underlines our belief in the future of the sport, in the Middle East and beyond, and in creating moments that inspire the next generation. Thank you all for being part of this historic announcement. We look forward to welcoming the world to Cairo and making history together.”

Including the Cairo LGCT leg, there are 17 events in this year’s series, starting in Doha (4-7 March), including London (7-9 August) and culminating in the season finale playoffs in Riyadh (18-21 November).

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Tickets for the 2026 Global Champions Tour in London are on sale now

georgia.guerin@futurenet.com (Georgia Guerin) — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 09:58:43 +0000

Longines Global Champions Tour London tickets have gone on sale for 2026 and there is currently a discount offering 15% off, which is available for a limited number of tickets – once they’re gone, it’s back to full price.

The London leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour (GCT) is part of a world class showjumping series where you can watch the world’s leading riders and will take place on 7–9 August in 2026.

Longines Global Champions Tour London tickets

There are a range of tickets available, starting at just £20 for adults (not including the limited discount).

Entrance for children aged four and under is free throughout the show, but they must still reserve and show a ticket upon entry.

General admission tickets

These tickets give you to access to the shopping village with kids’ entertainment and unreserved, uncovered seating in the North Tribune overlooking the competition arena on a first come, first served basis.

One-day pass: £20 adult, £15 child (11–17)

Three-day pass: £30 adult, £40 child (11–17)

Grandstand tickets give you access to covered seating. (Image credit: LGCT/Stefano Grasso)

Grandstand seating tickets

This ticket allows you to watch the action from a covered stand, so you’re out of the sun or bad weather, making it ideal for families. It also gives you to access to the general admission area – you do not need an additional ticket.

Concession seats are available with a price reduction for students, those aged 60+ year-old and juniors who would like their own seat.

Friday 7 Aug: £40 adult, £30 child, £35 concessions

Saturday 8 Aug: £45 adult, £35 child and concessions

Sunday 9 Aug: £50 adult, £40 child and concessions

Tickets for the Global Champions Lounge offer a more premium experience. (Image credit: LGCT/Stefano Grasso)

Global Champions Lounge tickets

A limited number of tickets are available each day to the premium Global Champions Lounge. From here you can enjoy superb views of the action with a guaranteed seat in the covered east grandstand. There is a private bar and you get a complimentary drink on arrival.

Families are welcome and children under four are free, but will not have an allocated seat.

Friday 7 Aug: £170 standard

Saturday 8 Aug: £180 standard

Sunday 9 Aug: £190 standard

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Opinion: Why I believe horse sport can learn a thing or two from Formula 1

Becky Murray — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 12:03:21 +0000

Last weekend I refused to leave the house and joined the millions of fans worldwide who were glued to the television watching the Formula 1 world championship decider and season finale at the Abu Dhabi grand prix.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took the chequered flag to win the race, but it was British driver Lando Norris who won the title fight for McLaren, beating his teammate Oscar Piastri and Max on points.

For complete transparency, I’m a Max fan and so I was naturally a little disappointed for him not to win his fifth world title. However, it is always nice to see a Brit come out on top and I’ve been captivated by Lando’s rollercoaster journey throughout the season. I sometimes found myself saying Lando could do with an equestrian mindset coach on his team to inject some self-belief during those tough moments, but when questions rose on whether he had the mentality to survive under the pressure and get the job done, he silenced his critics.

A Formula 1 convert

Now, while I can name every driver and team on the grid, give you a little bit of insight into hard, medium and soft tyre choices, and tell you why pitting under a safety car has huge benefits – I will confess to being a relatively new F1 fan, having been converted by my partner around three years ago.

Initially it took a bit of convincing that I would find engine horsepower as exciting as four-legged, as I watched cars drive round and round a circuit and had flashbacks to my dad hogging the TV at weekends when I was a child. But then I started paying attention, and soon I was hooked.

Formula 1 provides guaranteed drama, pressure and strategy, not forgetting driver rivalry. Dare I say, I get that same feeling watching the first corner of a race as I did watching that epic performance from Scott Brash when he lost his reins with Hello Folie, before coolly clearing that huge combination at the European Championships in the summer.

Scott Brash and Hello Folie provided thrilling action to rival Formula 1 at the European Showjumping Championships. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Aside from drama, F1 and equestrian sport have some other similarities. Both have a huge emphasis on team work – drivers rely on their crews, mechanics, engineers and strategists – as riders rely on their owners, grooms, physios, farriers, vets and sponsors. And both sports have strong women at the forefront; although there are currently no female drivers on the F1 grid, the all-female F1 Academy is developing young drivers and behind the scenes, there are women in key roles, step forward Red Bull’s principal strategy engineer Hannah Schmitz, Haas race engineer Laura Mueller, and Sky Sports strategy analyst Bernie Collins, to name just a few.

Formula 1 global fan survey: the thrill of races top motivator for new fans

What has really stood out to me however when it comes to F1, is how it has grown its fanbase. I was pretty sure I wasn’t the only motor racing convert, and a global fan survey carried out this year confirmed just that.

Of more than 100,000 respondents, 27% were new to the sport in the last five years. These new fans have become interested through friends and family (39%), media coverage (24%), social media (12%), driver interest (12%), and Netflix’s docuseries Drive to Survive (10%). The top motivators for these new fans are: “love the thrill of the races”, “fan of the drivers” and “enjoy the strategy”. The sport’s appeal to women has also grown; one in four survey respondents was female – more than double since the survey was last carried out in 2017. Another stat I found interesting was 48% of all respondents were inspired by an F1 driver or team outside the context of racing.

If you take the above and look at horse sport, the likes of Badminton cross-country or the Hickstead Derby offer thrill and strategy, we have many adored riders such as Carl Hester, Pippa Funnell and John Whitaker who fans can get behind, and equestrianism provides comeback stories and heart-filled inspiration by the bucket load, so what’s missing?

As an F1 fan I love the access you get to the drivers, from the pre- and post-race press conferences, the sometimes tense interactions between the top three in the cooldown room after the race, to the fun extras like a lie detector series Sky Sports held with drivers. Then there are the onboard radios, on which you hear the drivers’ reactions and discussions with their engineers mid-race. These radios make for interesting listening, especially when a driver is informed of a penalty as they concentrate at 200mph. Could you imagine listening to a rider talk to their horse as they are tackling a cross-country course – or hearing their live reaction if they were told by their team during their round that they had received a flag penalty? That would certainly add a different element.

It goes without saying, money and broadcasting obviously play a huge part in global reach. There are continual calls for the BBC to show more horse sport, though F1 is only shown live on Sky Sports – which requires a subscription – so I’m not sure we can blame BBC coverage. Of course, a Netflix series like Drive to Survive is going to bolster any sport, but I don’t think we can put F1’s fan growth all down to that either. And, in my case, I haven’t even seen it.

What about the Longines Global Champions Tour?

You could perhaps draw similarities between F1 and the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) in terms of teams and transfers, glitzy venues like Monaco and Miami, and big money prizes. This year the LGCT has been available to a broader audience thanks to deals with the likes of Warner Bros and ITVX. But even still, I’ve yet to hear someone say, I’m staying in this weekend to watch the showjumping. As already mentioned, the F1 survey found that the biggest introduction of new fans came via friends and family, with that in mind maybe there’s work to be done on our part as horse sport fans to pull in new people. I’ll be grabbing the television remote and informing my non-horsey partner when the new LGCT season kicks off in February!

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(Image credit: Getty/Peter Nixon)

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A British hero, the Olympic champion and a teenager living the dream: meet the 15 contenders for £1m Super Grand Prix

Jennifer Donald — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 17:23:58 +0000

Tonight (Saturday 22 November) the highly anticipated Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix takes place in the O2 Arena in Prague at 20.10 local time (19.10 GMT).

The two-round CSI5* 1.65m showjumping contest is one of the most prestigious in the world, boasting €1.25m (just over £1,000,000) in prize money and held as part of the weekend’s GC Prague Playoffs. Athletes qualify to take part in this season finale by securing a golden ticket from one of the 16 grands prix across the LGCT series, resulting in an exceptionally high-calibre field. After the late withdrawal of an injured Jana Wagers, there will be 15 horses and riders rather than 16 competing in Prague’s O2 Arena.

So who are this year’s entries for the Prague Super Grand Prix?

Prague Super Grand Prix: runners and riders

Christian Kukuk and Chageorge

The Olympic champion qualified with victory in the London leg of the LGCT and he brings the Beerbaum Stables’ 10-year-old Chacco-Blue stallion.

“Whoever has ridden in the LGCT Super Grand Prix once in their live wants to do it again,” says German representative Christian, who will be competing in the class for the fourth time. “Prague is an amazing show, the crowd is amazing and the atmosphere is incredible. It’s a really special show. It is the only indoor show we have in the season, which makes it even more special.”

Scott Brash and Hello Chadora Lady

The sole British representative won two grands prix on this year’s LGCT series, in Shanghai and St Tropez. Both successes came with Hello Chadora Lady, owned by Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Kirkham, and he lines up on the daughter of Chacco-Blue again in Prague. World number two Scott last jumped in the Super Grand Prix in 2021 but he’s enjoyed outstanding success in 2025, including winning two silver medals at the European Championships and heading the sport’s richest ever showjumping class. “It’s incredible to be part of it again,” says Scott, adding of the 12-year-old mare: “She gives you so much confidence. It’s just about containing that energy she has.”

Gilles Thomas and Qalista DN

The Belgian rider arrives in Prague having recently been crowned the youngest ever LGCT series winner, in a year when he also secured team gold and individual bronze at the European Showjumping Championships. The 27-year-old, currently ranked fifth in the world, earned his golden ticket in Paris, following up in New York for a spectacular brace of grand prix wins. In Prague he rides the joint-youngest horse in the field, the nine-year-old daughter of Emerald Van’t Ruytershof.

Anastasia Nielsen and Action Man

Representing Monaco, 19-year-old Anastasia made history in the 15th leg of the season in Rabat, Morocco, by becoming the youngest ever LGCT grand prix winner and she now lines up as the youngest ever contender of the Prague Super Grand Prix. Remarkably she had never even jumped clear in a five-star 1.60m class before her victory in Rabat and she now makes her debut in Prague, where she rides 11-year-old Action Man, a son of Action-Breaker. “This is what dreams are made of,” she says.

Abdel Said and Bonne Amie

Another rider flying the Belgian flag in Prague is Abdel, who qualified for the Prague Super Grand Prix in the first leg of the season in Doha, Qatar for the second consecutive year. The towering Estonian-bred “Bonnie” is one of five mares in the class and Abdel is currently ranked number 12 in the world.

Abdel Saïd and Bonne Amie. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Gregory Cottard and Cocaine Du Val

The Frenchman only finished fourth in the Rome grand prix but qualified for the Super Grand Prix as riders further up the placings had already earned a golden ticket or elected not to contest the final. Gregory is hugely popular for his natural approach both in the saddle and in the management of his horses, keeping his tack as simple as possible. Cocaine Du Val is a 13-year-old daughter of Mylord Carthago HN.

Jerome Guery and Careca LS Elite

One of an incredible five Belgian riders in the Prague Super Grand Prix, Jerome is another rider to have earned a golden ticket despite not finishing on the podium. The 45-year-old won individual silver at the 2022 world showjumping championships and his mount for Saturday night’s competition is the 14-year-old gelding Careca LS Elite (Carusso LS La Silla x Rebozo La Silla).

Marco Kutscher and Catelly

The German rider has enjoyed something of a resurgence this year, qualifying via his runner-up finish in Madrid, Spain, early on in the season. The double Olympic bronze medallist is a championship veteran so no stranger to a high-pressure cauldron such as the Super Grand Prix. He boasts great form with 13-year-old Catelly, who he only started riding a year ago, including Nations Cup success at Hickstead this year.

Nicola Philippaerts and Katanga VH Dingeshof

One of the most successful combinations on the showjumping circuit line up for the Prague Super Grand Prix as a result of their runner-up finish in Valkenswaard behind the already-qualified Harrie Smolders after an unusual two-way jump-off. Nicola has the added opposition of his younger brother Thibault (see below) and will be among the crowd favourites as Katanga is a hugely popular 15-year-old Cardento mare. Nicola’s father Ludo Philippaerts was the inaugural LGCT champion in 2006.

Philipp Weishaupt and Kokomo B

One of four German riders competing in the Super Grand Prix, Philipp won the LGCT grand prix of Vienna. For the final at the GC Prague Playoffs, he rides the nine-year-old Kannan son who is more often ridden by his younger brother Maximillian. “Prague is my favourite week of the year without a doubt,” says Philipp, who was part of the GCL Super Cup-winning team at the venue in 2023.

Gerit Nieberg and Ping Pong Van De Lentamel, winners of the Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix of Riesenbeck, Germany. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Gerrit Nieberg and Ping Pong Van De Lentamel

German star Gerrit and his striking coloured gelding have earned a huge legion of fans as they go from strength to strength in the ring. Their victory came on home soil at the LGCT grand prix of Riesenbeck, earning Gerrit a ticket to his first ever Super Grand Prix. “He’s an amazing horse,” says Gerrit of the 10-year-old Emerald son. “He’s still quite inexperienced at this level. He’s such a cool horse – the easiest character every single day.”

Simon Delestre and Cayman Jolly Jumper

The Frenchman made earning a golden ticket for the Prague Super Grand Prix his target for this season and he achieved his aim with victory in Monaco with the “truly amazing” and highly experienced son of Hickstead, who he also brings to Prague. “Cayman Jolly Jumper is a legend, it’s amazing for me to ride a horse like him,” says Simon of his Olympic partner and Dutch Masters Rolex grand prix winner.

Thibault Philippaerts and Pittman VH Lilleveld

Olympic showjumper Ludo Philippaerts will have split loyalties – not to mention frayed nerves by the end of the evening – with two of his sons in action in the Prague Super Grand Prix on Saturday night. Thibault, 24, is the rising star of the sport and qualified with a breakthrough performance on his debut in New York, finishing runner-up to Gilles Thomas, with the 10-year-old black gelding Pittman (Diamant De Semilly x Toulon), owned by Censtables NV and Team Philippaerts. “The Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix is a very big class,” he says. “I have been watching my brothers compete there for the past few years.”

Emanuele Camilli and Chacareno PS

Italy’s sole representative in Prague may not be a familiar name to many showjumping fans but the Germany-based showjumper stamped his ticket to Prague with an outstanding victory in Mexico. The 43-year-old competed at his first championship in 2022 and is now ranked 31st in the world. He brings Chacareno, one of three Chacco-Blue offspring in the Super Grand Prix.

Harrie Smolders and Monaco B

Last but certainly not least in the running order for Saturday night’s Super Grand Prix is one of the all-time greatest combinations in the sport. Harrie and Monaco have developed from eternal runners-up to racking up a dazzling string of five-star grand prix as they’ve flourished during a golden era. Three of their grand prix successes came on the LGCT circuit and come to Prague as one of the favourites to win. “Monaco feels the atmosphere, it lights him up, it gears him up,” says Harrie, ranked number seven in the world.

President and founder of Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL, Jan Tops, said: “The GC Prague Playoffs represent the highest level of our sport – a week where the best riders and teams in the world come together to compete for titles that define careers. This season has shown remarkable depth and quality across both the Longines Global Champions Tour and the GCL Championship, and it all builds to this moment here in Prague.”

H&H will bring you all the action from the Super Grand Prix and the rest of the GC Prague Playoffs in next week’s Horse & Hound, in the shops Thursday 27 November.

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

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‘Such a cool horse’: why everyone is talking about far-from-average grand prix winner Ping Pong

Jennifer Donald — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 07:37:44 +0000

Gerit Nieberg’s brilliant partner Ping Pong Van De Lentamel has been causing a stir on the showjumping circuit recently. Not only is the 10-year-old gelding an exceptional jumper with a lightning turn of foot, but his distinctive coloured markings ensure he really stands out in the five-star jumping ring.

The pair have been on an upward trajectory since teaming up two years ago and 2025 has been a real breakthrough year. They started by winning a brace of 1.55m CSI4* grands prix in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain, before stepping effortlessly up to five-star level over the summer.

At just their second top tier show – Aachen, no less – Gerit and Ping Pong delivered an eye-catching double clear in the Rolex grand prix, just tipping a rail in the jump-off to finish ninth in the class that Gerit won with Ben 431 in 2022.

The culmination of this partnership’s season came last week in their native Germany when they lifted the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) grand prix of Riesenbeck in sensational style, earning a new legion of fans in the process.

Gerit Nieberg on Ping Pong: “He’s the easiest character every single day”

This tremendous victory in Riesenbeck, close to Gerit’s home town, also marked a milestone first ever LGCT grand prix win for the 32-year-old showjumper, who is the son of Olympian Lars Nieberg.

“He’s such a cool horse,” says Gerit about superstar Ping Pong. “He’s the easiest character every single day.”

Ping Pong was bred by Hulde aan de Bok in Belgium. The gelding is a son of the great stallion Emerald, out of Toulon mare Lieve Vrouwke Van De Lentamel and was produced through his early years by first Kai Schafer followed by Ping Pong’s owner Karin Ernsting.

Gerit is looking at the bigger picture as he slowly and carefully produces the hugely talented Ping Pong – like many riders, but German equestrians in particular, next year’s showjumping world championships in Aachen are the ultimate goal right now.

Gerit Nieberg and Ping Pong Van De Lentamel, winners of the Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix of Riesenbeck, Germany. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

With all the ingredients needed to make it to the top, the scopey, athletic Ping Pong must surely be destined for even greater stardom.

“He’s an amazing horse,” says Gerit, describing the success in Riesenbeck as, “The highlight of the year”.

“He’s only 10 years old, still quite inexperienced at this level,” he continues.

Swedish maestro Peder Fredricson also paid tribute to Gerit Nieberg and Ping Pong in Riesenbeck, saying: “Gerit is a truly fantastic rider and he really brings out the best in the horses he rides.”

With spotted foal C-Bra Van Het Bokt breaking auction records recently and the likes of young stallion High Offley The Colour Of Money making waves in the sport, could these out-of-the-ordinary coloured horses become a more common sight in the jumping ring? Watch this space – Ping Pong looks sure to continue grabbing our attention, in more ways than one.

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

Arise ‘Sir John’! Whitaker surprises fans during 70th birthday celebrations

Jennifer Donald — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 07:30:27 +0000

The showjumping world has been celebrating living legend John Whitaker’s 70th birthday in style.

To mark the much-loved horseman’s “jubilee” year, John was presented with a procession of seven Colin the Caterpillar cakes, all carried by members of the Whitaker family, at Hickstead’s Royal International Horse Show and his family and fellow riders shared touching tributes to the showjumping maestro in H&H.

Then, at last week’s Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) in London (8-10 August), he was not only surprised with a party – complete with puissance-themed cake – he also received a hero’s reception in the ring.

John Whitaker: knight in shining armour

During the second day of the show, John was dressed up as a knight in shining armour and was smuggled into the main arena aboard a grey charger borrowed from the show’s performers, The Knights of Middle England, before being unveiled to huge cheers from the crowd.

“It was a fairly mammoth task getting dressed up – it was also one of the hottest days of the year, so I was a bit warm!” says John.

“Then I really couldn’t see much underneath the helmet, so it was difficult to know where I was going and the horse was a bit spooky with all the jumps in the ring. But I felt safe enough!

“I walked in and stood where they do the prize giving and they gradually introduced me to the spectators and when they revealed my name I took the helmet off and gave them a wave.”

John Whitaker dressed as a knight in shining armour to celebrate his 70th birthday at the Longines Global Champions Tour of London 2025. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“Sir John” canters off into the sunset – avoiding the showjumps

John made his grand exit by cantering round the ring in a lap of honour, to great applause.

“It wasn’t that easy in the outfit, but at least I could see where I was going by this point!” he says.

With his trusty steed still spooking at the showjumping fences as he went, John resisted the temptation to pop over an oxer on his way out, however.

“It did cross my mind, but it would have been a bit embarrassing if he’d stopped and I’d fallen off with all that gear on, so I told myself no!” says John.

LGCT media manager Floss Bish-Jones adds: “At the Longines Global Champions Tour, we wanted to mark John Whitaker’s 70th birthday with something truly unforgettable,” she says, describing John’s transformation into a knight as “a fitting tribute to a man whose courage, honour, and unwavering dedication have defined decades at the top of our sport.

John Whitaker dressed as a knight in shining armour to celebrate his 70th birthday at the Longines Global Champions Tour of London 2025. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“John is, and always will be, a true icon. Just as knights inspired generations in history, John has inspired riders and fans around the globe, and this was our way of celebrating that incredible legacy. John will always be the knight of our sport!”

John thoroughly enjoyed his week of 70th birthday celebrations, saying: “I felt very honoured by it all.”

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

‘A once-in-a-lifetime jump-off’: why you need to watch Olympic champion’s epic performance in London

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 21:04:38 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to watch the London GCT grand prix 2025 live streams and on TV wherever you are

Gemma Redrup — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 14:40:39 +0000

We’re being treated to another showjumping feast of the 2025 season this weekend as the Longines Global Champions Tour swings in to London. So how can you watch the London GCT live?

The show’s feature class, the Longines grand prix, kicks off on Sunday 10 August at 3pm.

GCTV is the only way to watch all the live action of any of the GCT classes globally from anywhere in the world, apart from the main grand prix class, which will be shown live on ITVX for the first time in 2025, If you’re abroad, and trying to watch GCTV or ITVX like you normally would back in the UK, then you can use a VPN. Check out NordVPN, where you can get 72% off, plus a £50 Amazon gift card and a 30-day money back guarantee, and follow the instructions below.

How to watch the London GCT on TV

The Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix, and every other class at the show, is available to watch via either a free or paid subscription – depending on what you want from the service – to GCTV (Global Champions TV). As previously mentioned, you can watch the main LGCT grand prix live on ITVX too.

Keep up with all the action with H&H

H&H’s reporting team are covering the event at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, bringing you stories as they happen. Find all our GCT news at horseandhound.co.uk/global-champions-tour including:

Reports from the classes
Behind-the-scenes news
Reaction from riders

Our magazine report will contain the best photos, analysis and insight from our team and you can read it all in the issue out on Thursday 14 August.

How to watch London GCT on TV from anywhere

Not in the UK right now? You don’t have to miss out on any of the action from the London GCT. ITVX is geo-restricted, meaning it doesn’t usually work outside of the UK, but a VPN is a simple and safe way around this.

A Virtual Private Network will alter your device’s IP address to make it appear to be in a different country, allowing you to access your usual streaming services from anywhere in the world. It’s great for watching racing on the move, and it’s also handy even if you’re watching at home. VPNs are designed with internet security in mind, creating encrypted connections that keep your data safe from third parties and improve streaming speeds by preventing bandwidth ‘throttling’ from your internet service provider.

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, which is the best VPN in the world according to our colleagues at TechRadar.

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We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service)
Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Download and install the VPN of your choice. NordVPN is the one we recommend.

2. Open up the VPN app and choose the location of the service you wish to access – UK for ITV.

3. Then head over to your streaming service on your device and enjoy the live stream.

(Image credit: Jorge Cunhe / LGCT)

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Meet the ‘incredible’ mare conquering the world with Scott Brash, and a 76-year-old legend lands grand prix

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 16:43:05 +0000

In this week’s international showjumping news round-up, we bring you a legendary rider who is still winning grands prix at the age of 76, while Scott Brash reveals why an ‘incredible’ mare – and plenty of patience – have contributed to a remarkable run of success this year.

Read on for some of the highlights from this week’s international showjumping news and results.

Showjumping news: a second LGCT grand prix victory in 2025 for Scott Brash

Scott Brash celebrated another landmark success with the lightning-quick 12-year-old mare Hello Chadora Lady (Chacco-Blue x Nintender) as their superb partnership continues in earnest.

In St Tropez, France, on Saturday (14 June), the pair topped a high-octane eight-way jump-off to land their second Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix of 2025, following up on their success in Shanghai.

“She’s an incredible mare – she’s very fast, so you just have to try to execute a plan and normally she’s quick enough,” Scott told H&H. “I think our partnership has really gelled this year and we feel at one with each other now. And that’s showing with her amazing results.”

Hello Chadora Lady, also known as Dora, is owned by Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham and she’s certainly a mare to have on your radar.

“She’s jumped five five-star grands prix this year and she’s been second twice, won twice and had one down in the other, so she’s fantastic,” said Scott. “She’s sharp and sensitive and you have to ride her with your feeling, but I feel very happy with her.

“She’s always seeing you, she’s always wanting to jump for you, so it’s just about containing that energy and thankfully it paid off.”

As Scott has already qualified for this year’s LGCT Super Grand Prix in Prague, the golden ticket passed to grand prix runner-up Kent Farrington (Toulayna).

Scott started the year with a five-star grand prix victory in Doha with “new star” Hello Folie, and enjoyed a big win with his Olympic star Hello Jefferson at St Gallen, Switzerland, recently, so the Scotsman is clearly enjoying a remarkable run of form this year.

“It’s taken a long time to get here – most of these horses, like Hello Mango and Folie, we got when they were young, we’ve produced them all the way through so they all came up together. But it all seems to be clicking into place right now,” said Scott.

“Jefferson’s been in great form, too. It’s working out well, I’m very happy with where the team is at right now.”

St Tropez results.

Showjumping legend wins CSI3* grand prix at the age of 76

Proving once again in the showjumping world that age is just a number, legendary French rider Michel Robert returned to the winner’s enclosure at the age of 76, topping the CSI3* grand prix in Normandy with Calasto Z. He beat Great Britain’s Jessica Mendoza – 47 years his junior – into second place on Ascadina PP Z.

CSI3* Normandy results

Bronze for Great Britain’s veterans

Talking of longevity, but with a long way to go to catch the great Michel, Great Britain secured team bronze behind Italy and France at the FEI Veteran European Championships in Italy.

“I’m really proud of this team who fought hard in the extreme heat to claim team bronze,” said chef d’equipe Mandy Frost after James Askew (The Lieutenant), Eve Hare (Shadow IV), Karen Gray (Lexus Hof Ter Zeedycke) and Anthony Clark (Toronto) finished on a team score of 18.12.

Showjumping news: youth riders in flying form

Not to be outdone by the older generation, Great Britain’s children-on-horses squad landed the Future Champions Nations Cup at Hagen in Germany in a great week for the youth riders. Charlie Barker (Strides Maureen), Christina Cotton with Chique RV Z, Eleanora Ljungman (Jamaica EBH) and Tabby Morgan Evans (Bermudez BDA) topped the podium while the British pony and young rider teams finished with a runner-up spot behind Ireland and Belgium respectively.

In the young rider grand prix, Olivia Sponer triumphed with Kookie W while Lucy Capper and Oscar Van Der Beekerheide landed the pony equivalent.

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

‘Groundbreaking collaboration’ means top showjumping action on ITV this year

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 13 May 2025 15:45:50 +0000

Showjumping is to return to mainstream television thanks to a deal between ITV and the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT).

The new partnership means ITVX will broadcast the LGCT grand prix of London live this August, “bringing showjumping action to millions of homes”, and show LGCT and Global Champions League (GCL) highlights for UK audiences throughout the 2025 season.

“This groundbreaking collaboration marks the first time LGCT and GCL highlights will be featured on ITVX, making the sport more accessible than ever before to a UK audience,” a Global Champions spokesperson said.

The first action to be shown will be highlights from the Shanghai leg (2-4 May), and all the remaining legs will be covered, from Madrid, Cannes, St Tropez, Paris, Monaco, London, Valkenswaard, Riesenbeck, New York, Vienna, Rome and Riyadh, as well as the season finale in Prague (20-23 November).

Global Champions Founder Jan Tops said: “We are thrilled to bring the Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL to ITVX viewers. This partnership opens up our sport to a wider audience in the UK, where equestrianism has such a passionate and knowledgeable following. It’s a milestone moment for showjumping as we continue to grow our global reach and inspire new fans.”

ITV Sport assistant commissioner Richard Botchway said the team was delighted to secure the coverage.

“With the live grand prix from London included, our viewers will get to experience the drama, precision and elegance of world-class showjumping,” he said. “It’s a thrilling sport that we’re proud to showcase for a free-to-air audience.”

LGCT and GCL highlights will be available on ITVX from this month, and updates will follow each stage of the tour.

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

Olympic champion becomes a father and wins grand prix on same day: ‘A story we’ll remember for the rest of our lives’

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 10:49:55 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rolex US Equestrian Open grand prix results

Wins for Mendoza and Maher

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

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

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

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

WEF results

Grand prix glory for Ryan

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

Toscana Tour results

Emanuele Camilli delivers a milestone first Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) grand prix success with Chacco’s Girlstar. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Showjumping news: a milestone in Mexico

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

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

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

LGCT of Mexico results
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When your whole family visits from Ireland to watch you win in USA: meet a teenage star living the dream

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 16:51:34 +0000

In this week’s international showjumping news round-up we head to Wellington, Florida, where Irish teenage sensation Tim Brennan has everyone talking. There’s also the latest Nations Cup contest to read about and this week the Longines Global Champions Tour of 2025 kicked off in Qatar, where a whizzy mare stole our hearts for the second year running.

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

Showjumping news: Irish teenager is living the US dream

Remember the name, because Tim Brennan is a real rising star of the sport. Having jumped with great success on youth teams in recent years, the Kilkenny 19-year-old has made the trip to Florida to contest his first Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). In this season’s prestigious BrainJuice under-25 series, he’s been in flying form and sealed overall victory by landing the penultimate grand prix riding his own Diadema Della Caccia.

“She has the heart of a lion,” Tim said of the Italian-bred Diamant De Semilly mare he’s been riding for five years.

The pair topped a competitive six-way jump-off and were cheered ringside by Tim’s family who were visiting from Ireland.

“She’s deadly careful,” said Tim of the flying grey mare. “She will jump anything for you once you ask her and I just have to be on the ball. She’s taken me all the way up through the ranks in Ireland and now we’re lucky enough to bring her out [to Florida].

“I was always thinking about coming out here; it’s a great experience to get more mileage under my belt. I’m looking forward to carrying this experience home, hopefully for a good year.”

“A good grey mare will try for you”: Tim Brennan and Diadema Della Caccia winning the BrainJuice under-25 semi-final grand prix at WEF. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Tim is based with John Roche while in the US, who credited his teenage pupil for having “a good eye, a good feel and a strong bond with Diadema Della Caccia”.

“A good grey mare will try for you. He gets on very well with her,” said John, who also credited Tim’s groom Juan Luis “Guicho” Rebollo for his help. “This series brings great development. For juniors or amateurs, it gives great opportunities for team involvement, and there’s no one route to success. I can’t say enough positive things about the division.”

BrainJuice Under 25 Semi-Final Grand Prix results

Nations Cup serves up team thriller

Nine teams came forward for Saturday’s $150,000 CSIO4* Nations Cup at Wellington International’s WEF and it was won by the all-female US team of Natalie Dean (Acota M), Carly Anthony with Heavenly W, Charlotte Jacobs riding Playboy JT Z and Laura Kraut with Tres Bien Z, making her 90th Nations Cup appearance for USA.

“When Robert told me who the team was, I was really pumped,” said Laura. “These three amazing riders have been on fire for a while now, not just recently but for years. The way they rode the first round, it was textbook. I think building towards the Los Angeles Olympics we have three exciting young girls here that I think have a strong chance if things go right.”

Senior team debutante Carly Anthony was full of praise for Heavenly W after jumping a double clear.

“We wouldn’t be here without the horses, so I owe everything to Heavenly and to my team that supports me every day to be able to achieve this incredible opportunity and goal,” she said.

Ireland finished seven penalties behind USA for the runner-up spot. Lining up were Michael Duffy (Cantano 32), Bertram Allen riding Qonquest De Rigo, Cian O’Connor with Belvedere and Daniel Coyle on Incredible.

Great Britain’s three-rider team of Jessica Mendoza (In The Air), Charlie Jones (Capitale 6) and Harry Charles riding Casquo Blue finished sixth.

WEF Nations Cup results

Showjumping news: Kimosa returns to the winner’s enclosure

On the CSI2* Andalucia Sunshine Tour, British riders were in flying form. Among the winners was Jodie Hall McAteer and her 15-year-old mare Kimosa Van Het Kritrahof, who landed the 1.45m ranking class, and Chloe Winchester who topped the 1.40m small grand prix riding eight-year-old stallion Toblerone OS.

Andalucia Sunshine Tour results.

Showjumping news: the podium for the Longines Global Champions Tour of Doha, Qatar, topped by Abdel Said of Belgium. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Global Champions Tour kicks off with remarkable double

Finally in this week’s international showjumping news round up, we head to Doha, Qatar, where the opening grand prix of the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) went to Abdel Said with Bonne Amie for the second year running. The Belgian rider finished ahead of Daniel Deusser (Gangster VH Noddevelt), and Saudi contender Abdulrahman Alrajhi claimed his first LGCT podium finish in third on Ventago.

“When I walked the course, I thought ‘Wow’ – you don’t come across courses like this every week,” said Abdel. “I’m incredibly proud of ‘Bonnie’ today.”

Best of the Irish was Denis Lynch and Brooklyn Heights who jumped clear in round one but tipped the first fence in the jump-off to finish seventh. Great Britain’s Ellen Whitaker (Korlenski) and Scott Brash with recent dual grand prix winner Hello Folie each picked up four faults in round one.

The opening Global Champions League contest went to reigning champions Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames, one of 17 teams in action this year.

LGCT of Doha 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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‘I lay there thinking, this could be it’: rider reveals fight back to fitness after serious fall

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 15:30:29 +0000

Last year, leading German showjumper Christian Ahlmann suffered a fall from his horse Solid Gold Z that he thought could bring his illustrious career to a devastating end.

“I remember lying there, thinking, ‘This could be it’,” he says. “All I could hope was that we would survive.”

The pair were competing in a 1.55m class during the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) of Mexico City in May 2023 when the accident happened at an oxer, with the pair landing steeply and crashing to the ground.

“My horse Solid jumped clear until this fence,” reveals Christian in episode two of LGCT series Rising Above, this segment entitled Bouncing Back, “which reveals his harrowing fall in Mexico City and his triumphant return to the pinnacle of the sport, showcasing the raw power of determination and the unbreakable spirit of a champion.”

“I remember the accident only in vivid flashes,” he says.

Christian Ahlmann: “My hand was not in the right place – I was in shock”

The Olympic medallist says it felt as though time stood still but then he felt the severe pain in his neck, head and arm.

“When I saw my hand it was not in the right place anymore. I was totally in shock,” he recalls.

“Miraculously” the then 12-year-old Stakkato Gold stallion was led away unharmed but Christian was found to have broken his arm and was operated on in Mexico.

“People who have been on top for a while may think they are invincible but life is unpredictable, anything can happen,” he says.

A triumphant return to five-star showjumping

After six weeks of recovery, Christian returned to the saddle, competing in some lower level competitions initally. He made his return to five-star competition at the Paris leg of the LGCT just two months after the fall.

In an extraordinary weekend for the German rider, he ended up winning Saturday’s grand prix after a thrilling seven-way jump-off, having teamed up with his consistent performer, the scopey Mandato Van De Neerheide, who he’s had since a six-year-old.

“It is difficult to explain, the last time I left the Global Tour it was a little different, with one arm in the wrong direction,” said Christian after his victory. “I am really, really happy to be back in the sport. This is the first time I am back in the ‘real sport’, let’s say, and to finish it with a win here, it’s unbelievable.”

As commentator Frederik De Backer sums up, Christian’s remarkable recovery came “from the abyss to the highest peak”.

“If you’re going through the worst period of your life, don’t lose faith,” he says. “Keep fighting, believe in yourself.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the National Dressage Championships, Blenheim Horse Trials, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘My proudest achievement? Holding my own against good young riders’ says John Whitaker, 69, in new TV programme

Jennifer Donald — Sat, 31 Aug 2024 15:30:37 +0000

Legendary British showjumper John Whitaker says his proudest achievement in the sport is holding his own against the younger generation of riders. But we all know that it’s actually the hugely successful and much-loved 69-year-old Yorkshireman who continues to set the bar for his younger rivals.

In “Defying Age”, the fourth instalment of the free content series Rising Above presented by Longines, equestrian icon John Whitaker discusses why age is is just a number when it comes to competing at the top level in showjumping.

“The sport has changed so much, if you want to move up you have to change with the times,” he says in the programme which charts his journey to the top, the secrets behind his enduring success and the mindset that has kept him at the top of his game for five decades.

“In showjumping, there’s no time to dwell on mistakes,” he says.

John Whitaker: “It was a challenge to get back up to the top again after Milton”

The episode begins with John discussing the megastar grey Milton, his “all-time favourite”.

“He wasn’t a very big horse, but when he went into the arena, he grew,” says John, before admitting: “After Milton it was quite difficult. I had a couple of years where I was a bit down. It was a challenge to get back up to the top again. Sometimes the hardest thing is to pull yourself together after a bad day and face the next competition.”

John’s enduring love for the sport and his horses continues to inspire us all.

“People ask me, how long are you going to carry on riding? I say, I’m feeling good. I’m going to keep going longer, because I have a new pair of boots,” he jokes.

“My proudest achievement is to compete against all these good young riders and hold my own. Wait, I haven’t finished yet. I still want to keep going and winning.”

Inspiring the next generation

His advice to the younger generation of riders is, “Get over your obstacles in life as quickly as you can. Try to stay positive, enjoy, and keep going.”

As commentator Frederik De Backer suggests in a clip of John Whitaker competing during the programme, “Like a fine wine, John gets better every year.”

The Longines Global Champions Tour’s Rising Above series, produced in partnership with Longines, is available to stream on YouTube and all social media channels.

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

‘I don’t know if this is a dream or not’: Britain’s Olympic gold medallist follows up with outstanding London grand prix win

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 17:49:34 +0000

Great Britain’s Harry Charles questioned whether he was dreaming when, barely a fortnight after winning Olympic gold in Paris, the 25-year-old won the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) grand prix of London in front of an ecstatic home crowd.

“It was the best day of my life a couple of weeks ago and to do this straight after feels a bit weird,” said Harry, who teamed up with the brilliant Sherlock to win Sunday’s (18 August) five-star thriller at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

“I don’t know whether it’s a dream or not, but for Sherlock that was a big milestone in his career.”

Seizing the advantage of final draw in a pulsating seven-way jump-off, Harry and the 11-year-old Sherlock, who is owned by his father Peter Charles and Stall Zet, flew home just quarter of a second quicker than the lightning quick time set by Paris 2024 Olympic individual gold medallist Christian Kukuk riding the exciting mare Just Be Gentle (Tyson x Ticallux Verte).

“I tried hard enough – Just Be Gentle is naturally quick and I thought we were quick enough, but Harry deserved to win that,” reflected Christian, paying tribute to the British victor after the battle of the Olympic gold medallists. “Harry tried everything, he tried his heart out – it was an unbelievable jump-off. So I’m very happy with my second place.”

The 2021 LGCT London winner Pieter Devos of Belgium took third with the now 17-year-old mare Toupie De La Roque.

Harry Charles: “I didn’t know this little fella could go that fast!”

Sherlock has been with Harry Charles since a five-year-old and the Hampshire rider had considered him as a Paris 2024 contender but opted instead for the more experienced Romeo 88 in Versailles, where Harry followed in the footsteps of his 2012 team gold medal-winning father Peter Charles to claim a gold medal of his own.

He and Sherlock took out a stride between fences one and two, before executing the perfect rollback to fence three which put them up on the clock early on. It was neck-and-neck with the German rider coming into the home straight but, with the crowd urging them on, the brilliant British duo took a flyer to the final oxer, stopping the clock clear in 36.68sec.

Harry revealed he’d heard the roar of the spectators as he crossed the line but was surprised nevertheless to see the number one next to his name on the scoreboard.

“I don’t know how Sherlock did it but he did it – I didn’t know this little fella could go that fast!” Harry reflected.

“The crowds here carried me to the win and thanks to Sherlock too. I’ve always believed the world of him.

Harry Charles takes a moment to thank the brilliant Sherlock after winning the LGCT of London grand prix. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

No better place to win – and a first British success since 2019

“After Paris, there was no better place to come home and have a great reception, especially as the last to go,” added Harry, who had watched his Paris team-mates Scott Brash win this class for the second time in 2018 on Hello Mr President and Ben Maher take the trophy with Explosion W in 2019 – the last time a British rider won the LGCT of London grand prix. “So to add my name to this class is very special.

“To come straight in and win a five star grand prix at home after Paris is pretty crazy. These last few weeks are going to take a lot of processing.”

Harry’s outstanding performance to land his first LGCT grand prix also qualifies him for the Super Grand Prix in Rabat, Morocco, at the end of the season.

Wins like this are certainly worth celebrating but we can all bask in the golden glow of what has truly been a glorious summer for British showjumpers.

You can read the full report and reaction from Sunday’s five-star grand prix, plus all the action from this three-day show in London, in this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, in the shops Thursday 22 August.

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

‘Yesterday, I fell off!’: 14-year-old rider turns luck around to win on LGCT debut

Sarah Radford — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 10:09:52 +0000

Fourteen-year-old Annie Salthouse had the full gambit of experience on her Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) debut in London when she fell off her ride Fame in Saturday’s CSI2* 1.15m class, only to turn her luck around with an accomplished victory in Sunday’s final.

“I had a really bad show to start with, I had poles and I fell off him in the ring, so I needed to redeem myself,” said Annie, who is lives in Hertfordshire but trains with Richard Howley in Yorkshire.

“Yesterday I just didn’t trust him, I can go so negative on him, but he’s incredible. He reminds me of a pet Labrador or something, he’s the sweetest thing.”

Annie started riding the 14-year-old gelding, one of Richard’s former CSI5* speed horses, in September but they didn’t quite gel until this summer, when they claimed a victory in the amateur 1.10m final at Bolesworth.

“It was a bit sticky at the start,” said Annie, who is home schooled so she can be flexible with her riding commitments. “He’s a sensitive horse and difficult at times but when we got to Bolesworth it all clicked.

“He’s a very quick horse but he feels like he has a pony stride.”

‘You don’t get time to think’

This CSI2* 1.15m final was held under the unusual “immediate jump off format” — similar to a two-phase, except there is a gap and a bell between rounds, and the second half of the course is then jumped again.

First-to-go Grace Wallace set a long-standing lead with Eau Claire V, before she was usurped in the final throes by Imogen Beecroft (Chablis).

Four riders from the end of the class, Annie cut a swathe through the leaderboard, storming into a 2sec lead.

“The format isn’t quite as good as a normal jump off but you can jump round and see where you need to go, and then you stop and let them have a breather,” she said. “I was very nervous but the best thing about it is you don’t get time to think about going into a jump off and going fast, you just have to go for it!”

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Former Quorn field master and pair of home-bred hunters dominate lineup at London LGCT

Sarah Radford — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 20:14:55 +0000

All-round horsewoman Nicky Hanbury’s journey from the hunting field to the showjumping ring hit a new level when she finished first and fifth in the Hyde Park Stables CSI2* 1.15m on her London Longines Global Champions Tour debut.

Nicky switched disciplines three years ago with her home-bred hunters Two To Tango and Park Polo, who she says have “always had to be careful jumpers as I cut a dash hopping gates as field master of the Quorn!”

She set an early lead in this table A class on seven-year-old Tango, only for three riders to bump her down the rankings. But she snatched back her advantage jumping from final draw on Tango’s half brother, 12-year-old Park Polo, to beat Ireland’s Aisling Byrne to the win with 0.88sec to spare.

“Tango was born with his neck bent backwards and he later developed arthritis, he throws the most amazing jump and never touches a pole but he’s not so quick at turning, as he’s a bit like riding a plank. He has shockwave, injections, a massage rug, a heat rug and physio once a week and he’s worth it!” Nicky said.

“Polo is out of the same dam but he is very different, he’s like riding a pony, and I knew I could do really tight turns on him.”

‘I wanted a real jumping machine’

Both horses were out of a mare Nicky bought for her husband, who was a field master of the Quorn for 35 years, after he broke his neck on the hunting field.

“I wanted a real jumping machine to make sure he was safe and I found her,” Nicky said. “She was only 15.3hh and he’s 6’3” but he field mastered off her for three years.

“Malcolm Pyrah, who I rode for 20 years ago, said to me one day that he had some semen from Talan I could have if I had a mare who was good enough, which she was as she was a grade A by Quidam. I had to say to my husband that I was taking the mare back!

“These two are what I bred [Tango is by Esteban]. I am a very lucky girl, I love them, they are like my children!”

‘Di Lampard has made a tweak here and there’

Nicky’s transition to the show jumping arena has been made smoother as she’s had some “very good guidance” over the years from both Malcolm and her close neighbour, British team manager Di Lampard.

“I’ve known her all my life and she’s helped me with a tweak here and there,” she said. “I’ve had a message from both of them since winning!”

This year Nicky made her British team debut when she took Tango to Italy as part of the veteran European squad, returning home with a team silver medal.

“We were jumping in 40 degrees and he got heatstroke and I had Covid, although I didn’t know it at the time, we had two down in the final round which was uncharacteristic,” she said.

“He came back quite poorly and it’s taken six weeks to recover, although he’s back on fire now, he nearly smacked me off in the collecting ring!”

Fifty-six-year-old Nicky decided to make the trip from Leicestershire to London for the LGCT on the recommendation of Judy Pyrah.

“She said it’s got your name written all over it, have some fun,” she said. “It’s very beautiful here and a bit surreal!”

British teenagers on unbeatable form at London LGCT

Sarah Radford — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 18:55:46 +0000

Two British teenagers left more experienced riders trailing in their wake when they claimed a CSI2* class apiece on the second day of the London Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT).

Ever-competitive Whitaker brothers James and George had to settle for runner-up spots behind the pair, with James finishing second to 19-year-old Rachel Proudley in the Hunter Woodshavings 1.45m and George being beaten by 15-year-old Noora Von Bulow in the 1.30m Martin Collins London Cup.

London-based Noora was on her second appearance at Chelsea but was claiming her first LGCT victory, riding her partner of three years Interstar B.

Their unhurried and intelligent round, which included a wonderfully economical line from the double to the final oxer, left them 0.81sec ahead of George and his father-in-law Martin Wood’s mare Zirocca Zoom.

“He’s had a few busy weeks as we were jumping [on the junior team] at the Europeans, so I just wanted to give him a really nice round,” Noora said. “He likes a bit of speed and I think he really enjoyed that and I really enjoyed that!

“I’d walked the last line as a seven or an eight and I thought I’d see what I ended up on but going on the inside line on the seven worked really well for me.”

‘We’ve created so many good memories’

Interstar B was a very successful young horse, winning many age finals and the grade C final at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in 2021, before he was sold to the Von Bulows. Noora and the 11-year-old I’m Special De Muze gelding have since become a consistent member of junior European squads.

“The last two years have been really strong years for both of us and we’ve created so many good memories,” Noora said. “We’ve gained experience together and really created a bond.”

The win comes two days before Noora moves from London to Belgium to more effectively juggle her school and competitive commitments.

“School is always a priority and it’s important to my family and me to have a proper balance,” Noora said.

“For the past few years the horses have been 1hr45 away from us [with Tony Newberry and Fiona Dunning], so I only get to ride at the weekends. We’ll be continuing with them in Belgium.”

Rachel Proudley and Petitfour VD Wareslage in the Hunter Woodshavings CSI2* 1.45m (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Yorkshire-based Rachel Proudley capped a month of firsts with new ride Petitfour VD Wareslage when she secured a commanding victory on her LGCT debut.

Jumping from early doors in the Hunter Woodshavings CSI2* 1.45m, Rachel shot more than 10sec into the lead on the zippy nine-year-old gelding, leaving the remaining 34 combinations vying fruitlessly to topple her time.

‘He’s one you can always go in and try for the win on’

Just previous day’s victor James and Just Call Me Henry posed a valid threat, managing to get within 0.61sec, but the remainder of the field trailed more than 5sec behind.

“It wasn’t an ideal draw but it paid off anyway,” said Rachel, who is currently riding both her own string and for Richard Howley’s HK Horses.

“It was a good course today that suited my horse, he’s not very big but he is quick on his turnbacks and he’s quick across the ground.”

Petitfour VD Wareslage was bought by Rachel’s owner John Chadwick from HK Horses in June and since then the pair has chalked up a series of notable wins.

Rachel claimed her first area trial victory with him at Royal Lancs at the end of last month, before heading to Samorin, where she secured two CSI2* wins, including her first rankings class victory.

“It’s nice to have kept the ride on him,” she said. “He’s one you can always go in and try for the win on.”

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‘Nothing beats this’: spectacular British hat-trick launches day one of London LGCT show

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 18:41:30 +0000

The British national anthem rang out three glorious times at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on a sun-drenched opening day of the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) of London (16-18 August).

Great Britain’s newly crowned European young rider champion Olli Fletcher was clearly relishing competing back on home soil and he took the opening five-star class, the Roseblood Wine 1.45m two-phase, with an ambitious ride on Cajus 42. This talented 10-year-old son of Comme Il Faut is just stepping up to this level.

“He tried his heart out, bless him – he’s not used to this kind of atmosphere,” said Olli. “I’ve had him for a year now and I’ve always believed in him – he has so much ability and so much talent, it’s just been about fine-tuning the smaller details.

“Nothing beats hearing the national anthem – especially on home soil.”

LGCT London: “Faster than I thought it would be”

In the earlier CSI2* classes, James Whitaker (Just Call Me Henry) and Simon Crippen (Zeus Valencie) scored an exhilarating victory apiece. James’s success came in the Lemieux 1.40m speed class, with “total nutter” Henry.

“He’s only nine but hopefully he’ll keep stepping up and keep going well,” said James. “I think he’s got a touch of ADHD though and he doesn’t like having a rug on, so he took off with me in the prize-giving!”

Simon Crippen gave spectators plenty to cheer about in the 1.25m two-phase Martin Collins London Cup on his LGCT debut.

“The class was faster than I thought it would be, but Zeus Valencie is always a very quick horse and she’s usually there or thereabouts,” said Simon, whose win in London comes in the wake of a tremendous eighth-place finish in the King George V Gold Cup at the Royal International riding Handsome.

Olympic medallists in action on day one

The opening class of the day, the CSI2* 1.15m GCTV two-phase went to show debutant Ali Hussain Alnowais of the UAE riding the lovely mare Celine 267.

Day one concluded with a French victory for Simon Delestre, fresh from his team bronze medal-winning performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He claimed the €7,050 top prize with Olga Van De Kruishoeve, nearly half a sec clear of the chasing pack. John Whitaker received a hero’s welcome and finished best of the Brits in this class in fourth riding Sharid.

Simon Delestre was up against a raft of recent Olympic medallists at the show, including the newly crowned Olympic champion Christian Kukuk and Britain’s gold medal-winning heroes Harry Charles and Scott Brash. Ben Maher was on team duties in Dublin on Friday, helping Great Britain finish third behind USA and Ireland in the Nations Cup of Ireland by The Underwriting Exchange, before he is set to join his team-mates in London for a celebratory Olympic ceremony on Saturday.

You can follow all the action at the LGCT London with Horse & Hound and we’ll bring you all the news and insight in next week’s magazine, in the shops Thursday 22 August.

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

All four Olympic showjumping gold medallists to be celebrated in London ceremony

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 16:36:25 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

15 Olympians to watch

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

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

Leading British showjumpers

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

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

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

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

Whitaker takes a brave route, an exciting ‘sassy little’ British prospect and former groom lands five-star grand prix

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 14:00:47 +0000

In this week’s international showjumping news round-up, we celebrate some mighty performances, particularly from cousins William Whitaker and Jack Whitaker, in the opening week of Bolesworth’s new international tour.

But we also look further afield to some notable Nations Cup podium finishes, a five-star win for a former groom ranked 1,813th in the world, and a rider winning a jump-off against herself. Read on for this week’s international showjumping news round-up and results.

Showjumping news: the big guns are out for a Bolesworth thriller

William Whitaker and Chacco’s Lando took full advantage of the slivers of opportunity left for the taking by their rivals to secure a British victory in Bolesworth’s high-class LeMieux CSI2* grand prix during week one of the inaugural Bolesworth International Equestrian Summer Festival presented by Al Shira’aa.

Ireland’s Shane Breen “knew the big guns were coming behind me” – setting the standard by taking the brave man’s route with Cato Boy over Rafael Suarez’s jump-off course. But William was braver – as last to go, he had to be – slicing across the oxer at fence five and delivering an all-round masterclass in jump-off riding to power ahead by 0.6sec.

William Whitaker and Chaccos Lando win the CSI2* LeMieux grand prix. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“I was in the best position to know what everybody else did before I went in. Shane set a really good target – I knew that I had to give everything to try to beat him and luckily it paid off,” said William, of Old Lodge Stud’s talented 11-year-old Chacco-Blue son, who is looked after by Mia Allison and Sophie Price. “He’s a great horse and I feel now each month I get to know him a little bit better and exactly how he needs to be managed so that he jumps his best.”

Britain’s Christopher Smith was the first to come close to runner-up Shane’s impressive time on owner/breeder Nicola Barry’s nine-year-old mare Messarado Blue, and their performance earned them a place on the podium. Don’t miss the full report in this week’s H&H magazine, in shops Thursday 10 June.

Bolesworth results

Rider wins five-star jump-off against herself

In Canada, the CSI5* Spruce Meadows Continental meeting presented by Rolex hosted some of the world’s top riders and Erynn Ballard (main image) took the spotlight when achieving the rare feat of a one-two in Friday’s The Mustangs 1.55m grand prix qualifier.

The Olympic hopeful took top spot with Libido Van’t Hofken in a time of 42.86sec, finishing a fraction slower on the former Ben Maher ride Gakhir in 84.53sec. Her closest challenge came from Great Britain’s Matt Sampson on Daniel.

“My first five-star win [at Thunderbird Show Park last month] was the greatest day of my career so far. But everybody that rides a pony, whether you’re a little girl, a little boy, or a teenager, you do this to go to the Olympics. So certainly it’s in the forefront of my mind and I’ve got the horses to do it, but I still have a lot of work to do,” said Erynn, who could be part of Canada’s first-ever all-female Olympic team in Paris. “I’m always hashtagging ‘girl power’ and I think that it would be a great thing for the younger generation of the sport. But at the end of the day, no matter what, we’re all teammates.”

Matt Sampson had turned the tables the previous day, beating the Canadian to victory in the CSI5* AON Cup with new ride One Whisper.

Spruce Meadows results

Showjumping news: “She’s a proper horse,” says Jack Whitaker

Next in this week’s international showjumping news round-up, we’re back to Bolesworth, where a “sassy little” mare got everyone talking when winning the CSIYH1* Al Shira’aa seven-year-old final. It’s part of this sport’s magic to see a prospective future talent score that first significant win. When that success comes in the hands of one of Britain’s top rising stars, that magic is brushed with an extra sparkle. This year’s final was a real jewellery shop window, headed by the super mare Chique Rv Z in the hands of Britain’s Jack Whitaker, with Ireland’s Shane Breen and Konrad Obolensky a close second.

“We think she’s a proper one,” said Jack, who bought the Cicero Z daughter as a four-year-old with Jake Saywell. “She’s like a rubber ball – a real compact, sassy little mare. I don’t think she knows that she’s small! With her, I have to stick to my own plan, as I can’t just copy the strides that everyone else is doing. But I know that she’s quick and I know she can turn tight.”

Bolesworth results

Cian OConnor and Fancy De Kergane help Ireland with a double clear in the Nations Cup of Roeser, Luxembourg. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Nations Cup thrillers: “I am proud of the team”

At the CSIO3* Longines EEF Nations Cup in Luxembourg, winners Belgium topped the podium on a zero score after a jump-off with Ireland. Great Britain finished in third.

Ireland was represented by brothers Max Wachman (Kilkenny) and Tom Wachman with Cathalina S, Michael Duffy on Clitschko 17 and Cian O’Connor producing a double clear with Fancy De Kergane before felling one pole more than Belgium representative Jeroen Appelen on Monte Blue PS against the clock.

“I suppose you could say that’s one that got away,” said Horse Sport Ireland high performance showjumping director Michael Blake. “The lads jumped great for the most part but one or two little mistakes have ultimately cost us. It is still an excellent result and, of course, congratulations to the Belgium team. When Tom and Cian, our final two riders, jumped their clears under pressure to apply pressure on the Belgians, they didn’t wilt to take us to the jump-off, where they got the job done.

“I am proud of the team. A Nations Cup runner-up finish is never to be sniffed at and it highlights the consistency we have in our programme.”

Third-placed Great Britain also secured a place in the semi-final in Deauville later this month.

“I’m delighted, it’s the first time Britain has qualified for the EEF semi-final in Deauville,” said Great Britain’s chef d’equipe Di Lampard, who led Mark Edwards (Flying Tinker II), Adrian Whiteway (Chacco Volo), Olli Fletcher (Hello William) and Robert Murphy on Kannem JA Z to the podium. “All four riders contributed with clear rounds and this squad is going to the four-star Nations Cup in Sopot, Poland, next week.

“I like the format for the EEF, where all the teams get to compete in the second round – unless they are eliminated in round one – and get to put the wrongs right. It’s in the right spirit and they gain valuable experience, whereas the standalone three-star teams only take the top eight [through to round two]. I’m looking forward to the Deauville semi-final and hopefully, the final in Warsaw.”

Great Britain and Ireland also finished fifth and sixth respectively in the Longines EEF series qualifier in Drammen, Norway, where another jump-off decided victory for Poland over hosts Norway, with Sweden third after torrential rain hit the venue during round two. It was the first time for eight years that Poland has won a Nations Cup. Each of the British quartet jumped a clear – Simon Crippen (Handsome), Leo Lamb on Gmail, Faye Sutton with Spider and Phillip Miller riding Don Royale, who went on to finish third in Sunday’s grand prix.

Showjumping news: Cannes success for Brash and Howley

We continue this week’s showjumping news round-up with the opening day of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Cannes, where Ireland’s Richard Howley and Petitfour VD Wareslage won a 1.45m speed class, toppling long-time leaders Ben Maher and Ginger-Blue.

“Heading in to beat Ben Maher always adds to the pressure,” Richard said. “Obviously he is a world-class rider, so it’s an honour to take the win over him today.”

Great Britain’s Scott Brash and Hello Valentino topped the GCL first qualifier by more than two seconds while Saturday night’s grand prix was won by Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann on the appropriately named Messi Van’t Ruytershof in the city’s football stadium Stade Des Hesperides.

“I had a short second of a moment where I thought ‘now you just drop the rein and go’… and he made it, I am so thankful for this horse – what a horse,” she said.

LGCT Cannes results

A winning week for Amanda Derbyshire

US-based British showjumper Amanda Derbyshire sealed a spectacular week at the Tryon International with victory in the $120,000 CSI3* 1.50m grand prix on Cornwall BH. She topped a four-way jump-off to decide the honours, having also sealed victory with Otto BH in the two-phase.

Tryon International results.

A first ever grand prix success for former groom, ranked 1,813th in the world

A 29-year-old rider from Czechia made history with victory in Spruce Meadows’ five-star grand prix. Vaclav Stanek, who just two years ago was working as a groom at the venue, rode Quintin to an unexpected victory over Matt Sampson and Daniel.

“I didn’t even expect to get a clear round, let alone win my first five-star event,” said the 1,813th ranked Czech showjumper who is a former Rolex Young Riders Academy pupil. “I have watched Spruce Meadows since I was a little kid hoping one day I could ride here, but I would never even dream about winning here. I finally got my cooler in the best way possible.”

Spruce Meadows grand prix results

Kent Farrington of USA wins in La Baule riding Greya. (Image credit: Manue Macker)

“I’m determined every day”: Kent Farrington triumphs in La Baule

Finally in this week’s showjumping news round-up, we celebrate US rider Kent Farrington’s brilliant win in the Rolex grand prix Ville de La Baule riding Greya after an exhilarating 11-way jump-off. The duo delivered the quickest of four double clears, beating fellow American Karl Cook (Caracole De La Roque), and Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet (Bond Jamesbond De Hay) took third.

“I’m determined every day,” said Kent. “Our sport has its ups and downs, because horses are animals with their own rhythm and needs. That’s what makes our sport so beautiful. You go from hero to zero very quickly, and that’s the game. I try to stay focused and not think about what might have happened or what might happen. I hadn’t really looked at Karl’s course, and this allowed me to follow my plan and secure the victory.”

Germany won the show’s CSIO5* Nations Cup and while Great Britain wasn’t involved in the team competition, individual representative at the show Lily Attwood and Karibou Horta won Saturday’s accumulator.

CSIO5* La Baule results

A pioneering women-only jumping team triumphs, an F1 star inspires and heavy rain cancels one of year’s biggest contests

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 16:25:35 +0000

In this week’s international showjumping news round-up, there was huge disappointment when prolonged torrential rain brought the St Gallen leg of the Longines League of Nations to a halt. In Saint Tropez, however, the sun was shining brightly for a special celebrity guest from the world of Formula One and a pioneering female-only showjumping team reigns victorious.

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

Max meets Max: F1 hero enjoys front row seats for a spot of showjumping

Austrian showjumper Max Kühner had a congratulatory handshake from Formula One hero Max Verstappen, who was watching the Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix of Ramatuelle, Saint Tropez.

A meeting of the Maxes: showjumping hero Max Kuhner is congratulated by Formula One champion Max Verstappen in Saint Tropez. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Max Kühner and EIC Up Too Jacco Blue triumphed ahead of France’s Simon Delestre on Cayman Jolly Jumper, with championship leader Eduardo Alvarez Aznar third on 19-year-old Rokfeller De Pleville Bois Margot.

“What a day! It’s great to stand on top of a Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix podium again, particularly here in Ramatuelle, Saint Tropez, with Max Verstappen watching us,” said the winning rider.

LGCT Saint Tropez grand prix results

Max Kuhner and EIC Up Too Jacco Blue claim victory in the Longines Global Champions Tour of Ramatuelle, Saint Tropez. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Showjumping news: “challenging circumstances” cause havoc in St Gallen

St Gallen’s Longines League of Nations, due to take place on Friday 31 May, was cancelled owing to prolonged heavy rain. FEI jumping director Todd Hinde said: “Despite extensive planning, the weather conditions made the situation extremely difficult and we very much appreciate the efforts of riders, chefs, grooms, officials and the organiser in trying to find solutions in the challenging circumstances. While this is regrettable, we believe under the circumstances this was the right decision to make.”

The loss of this team competition comes at a crucial point for Paris 2024 Olympic selectors as entries deadlines loom. No points will be allocated for the 2024 series from the St Gallen leg and the league will continue instead in Rotterdam on 21 June, after which the standings for Barcelona will be calculated.

Tim Gredley, who had been picked to represent Great Britain in Friday’s League of Nations competition said, “The League of Nations shows are the pick of the circuit, so to get to that stage and not jump was disappointing, but a lot of people are in the same boat. Imperial HBF is in great form and I was so looking forward to that Nations Cup with him. I gave him a jump the day before and he never felt better.”

Denis Lynch wins at St Gallen riding Vistogrand. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Martin Fuchs and Commissar Pezi won Sunday’s 1.60m Defender grand prix in St Gallen with the sole clear round, and Britain’s sole representative Robert Whitaker and Vermento finished ninth with five faults. Of the few supporting classes to go ahead at the five-star show, two went to Irish riders – Denis Lynch and Vistogrand topped the 1.50m MS Direct Group Prize and Mark McAuley (Fury Nocturne) won the Thommen Recycling Prize.

St Gallen results

Darragh Kenny and Serendepety win at Devon Horse Show. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Showjumping news: speed Derby success for Debney

Great Britain’s Grace Debney won Devon Horse Show’s speed Derby in USA riding Zarina De Vidau while Darragh Kenny and Serendepety flew to victory in the welcome stakes.

Devon Horse Show results

Girl power: the first women-only jumping team triumphs

Finally in this week’s showjumping news round-up, we return to Ramatuelle, Saint Tropez, where the first women-only jumping team Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames triumphed in the latest leg of the GCL. This pioneering project founded by Deborah Mayer of the Iron Dames secured their second win of the year. They were represented by Katrin Eckermann and Kim Emmen; the former describing winning as “an amazing feeling”.

“We won the first stage in Doha and have been very unlucky since,” said Katrin. “In Doha we had different women in our team so it shows how strong we are. We are just women in the sport following our dreams and right now I don’t want to ever stop it.”

Malin Baryard-Johnsson, part of the third-placed GCL team added, “To have four women out of six athletes on the podium shows the girl power within the sport.”

“We love that,” added her team-mate Jessica Springsteen.

GCL results

And let’s hear it for the boys, too!

Great Britain’s Olli Fletcher and Hello William landed the CSI3* 1.50m class in Le Touquet, France, from a field of 77.

“He has so much personality, he’s king of the stable and always will be – he’s my baby and gets treated better than any human,” said Olli of Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham’s 12-year-old. “Even talking about him puts a smile on my face. He has such a big heart and I can’t thank the Harrises and the Kirkhams enough for giving me the opportunity to ride my ‘horse of a lifetime’.”

Not to be outdone, Scotsman Sandy McLean continued his 19-strong winning streak from Sentower Park with a run of eight successes in Lier.

A medal haul for Great Britain in Zuidwolde

In the Youth Nations Cup, there were medals galore for young British riders. The junior squad secured silver, represented by Maisy Williams (Dalton D’Hoyo), Noora von Bulow (Interstar B), Charlie Atkinson on Ballingowan Leia and Olivia Sponer on Equine America Bingo Du Chateau.

“The pressure was on, but they delivered,” said team manager Clare Whitaker.

The young rider quartet of Rachel Proudley (Petitfour VD Wareslage), Jake Myers (J Superstar), Lauren Caroline (Elmira Mail) and Ava Vernon on Volnay De Choc Z took bronze, while Lauren Caroline (Gait L), Olivia Sponer and pony rider Emily Gulliver (Fleur De Nuit 8) all finished on the individual podium during the concluding grands prix.

“Gait L is very naturally quick, has a very big heart and always tries to jump clear,” said Lauren. “I know him well now as we bought him from Shane Breen two and half years ago; he said he was the horse for Junior classes and he was right, it was a very good buy.”

‘This one’s for you, Jack Dodd’: grand prix winner makes emotional dedication

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 12:25:52 +0000

This week’s international showjumping news headlines revolve around Irish rider Michael Duffy dedicating an emotional first five-star grand prix win at Miami Beach, USA, to his friend Jack Dodd, who died in 2018.

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

Showjumping news: ‘This one’s for you, Jack Dodd’

Miami Beach once again pulled out all the stops for the second leg of Longines Global Champions Tour, but emotions ran high after Ireland’s Michael Duffy, the winner of Saturday’s grand prix, dedicated his first five-star grand prix success to his close friend Jack Dodd, who died in a car accident six years ago at the age of 25.

“I won my first five-star grand prix and I want to dedicate this to Trish and David Dodd, parents of my friend at home [Jack Dodd] who passed away,” said Michael.

From nine jump-off contenders, Michael and relatively new ride, the 12-year-old Claptonn Mouche, produced the only double clear to take top honours, ahead of Max Kühner and EIC Cooley Jump, with France’s Julien Anquetin and Blood Diamond Du Pont in third as the fastest of the four-faulters.

“It’s been a while coming now, it’s probably about time we got our fingers out and did something,” said Michael. “It’s amazing, I’m a bit lost for words… I’m not the biggest talker but even more so this time. I have no words.

“It’s tough jumping here, it is so delicate. I wanted to be as quick as I can and leave the jumps up to get the job done.”

LGCT of Miami Beach results

Cian O’Connor, pictured aboard Fancy de Kergane, earned the overall leading international rider award, presented by Martha W. Jolicoeur with Michael and Wendy Smith, following consistent performances throughout the 2024 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida. Photo by Sportfot. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

WEF Leading rider award to Cian O’Connor

Another Irish showjumper was celebrating this week as Cian O’Connor claimed the overall leading international rider award, presented by Martha W Jolicoeur of Douglas Elliman with Michael and Wendy Smith, in recognition of his consistent performances during the 2024 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, Florida.

Margie Goldstein-Engle of USA took second, with another Irish rider, Shane Sweetnam, finishing third in the standings.

“We had an incredible winter in Florida,” said Cian. “The horses performed really well and that is thanks to all of their owners – Sue and John Magnier, Sarah Stoute, Nikki Walker, and Pat Crean. All our horses jumped outstandingly and I was delighted to have won the title of leading international rider of the WEF circuit.

Lorenzo De Luca helps the Rome Gladiators win the GCL of Miami Beach with a clear on Cappuccino 194. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“All credit must go to the brilliant team behind the scenes, from everybody in the stable who puts in the hard work, day in and day out, to all of my support staff, and everybody else who contributes to the Karlswood team. I am extremely grateful to each and every one of them.”

Showjumping news: Rome Gladiators win GCL of Miami

And finally in this week’s international showjumping news round-up, the Global Champions League (GCL) of Miami Beach, held against the stunning backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, was won by the Rome Gladiators squad of Michael Duffy, Laura Kraut and Lorenzo De Luca. The squad climbed the leader board in round two to top the podium.

“We’re both new to the Rome Gladiators this year, although we were former Gladiators, we are back for 2024!” said Laura, who jumped clear with Bisquetta, with team-mate Lorenzo on Cappuccino 194 in round two. “I love being at home and it’s really fun to have the crowd here watching and cheering for me.”

GCL of Miami Beach results

‘My heart was thumping’: an unusual Irish team celebrates, a 14-year-old stallion returns and a coming-of-age performance

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 15:20:13 +0000

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

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

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

Showjumping news: “This team is a little unusual”

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

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

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

David O’Brien of Ireland makes his Irish debut in the Nations Cup at WEF with “fighter” El Balou OLD. (Image credit: Sportfot)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Darragh Kenny and Eddy Blue in action for Ireland in the WEF Nations Cup. (Image credit: Sportfot)

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

“We saw a bit of everything in the course tonight,” said Cian. “Obviously, it plays a part with one round in the daytime then one at night. Both rounds were light, delicate and the plank was difficult to judge.

“This horse is only nine, so he’s just stepping up to this level. There aren’t many nine-year-olds able to do this, so I’m very happy with him. There’s something very special about the night classes here. So many people were here tonight and it’s one that everyone wants to win.”

Shane Sweetnam and the mare RR Combella jumped for four faults in each round.

“That’s the purpose of giving her a chance in this – you really do learn a lot,” he revealed. “She showed her character and how good a horse she is. I think the rider could have done better, but I was very happy with her, especially at the end to go and give a solid round to make sure that we did win.”

Irish chef d’equipe Michael Blake said: “This team is a little unusual. In 100 and something Nations Cups that I’ve been involved in, I’ve never had a full team where none of the horses ever jumped a Nations Cup before. That shows true depth in that we could put out a team of new horses, very good horses, but still new horses.

“On paper we didn’t look like the favourites, but I knew we’d be hard to beat. Canada looked strong, the US looked very strong, but we had a lot of experience, and we know how to dig deep.

“We love to come here because the atmosphere is amazing. To see a full house, that’s what lifts you, it’s very special.”

WEF Nations Cup results

Olli Fletcher and BP Pocahontas land a memorable win in Doha, Qatar. (Image credit: LGCT)

“A big day in the office” for 20-year-old Olli Fletcher

British rising star Olli Fletcher described winning his first five-star class, at the LGCT of Doha, Qatar, as “a big day in the office” and he couldn’t have been happier with Alison Walton’s 12-year-old BP Pocahontas after winning the opening tw0-phase.

“It was an amazing show – the stadium and the arena are beyond anything I’d ever jumped in, so I’m happy the horses enjoyed it with some good results,” Olli told H&H. “Winning my first five-star is definitely a memory that won’t be forgotten, that’s for sure. It was very special.

“My mum and owners Alison and John Walton had come from South Africa to watch, which was lovely because they’ve been instrumental in my career,” added Olli, who also made his debut for GCL team Monaco Aces on Hello William. “Both the horse and I learnt a lot and we’re looking forward to the season ahead.”

Another five-star winner at the show was Ireland’s Denis Lynch with the mighty stallion Vistogrand.

LGCT Doha results

Holly Smith and Fruselli win the grand prix on the Andalucia Sunshine Tour. (Image credit: Mackenzie Clark/Andalucia Sunshine Tour)

Holly Smith’s 14-year-old stallion makes sensational comeback

Making a welcome return to the showjumping news headlines this week was Holly Smith’s 14-year-old stallion Fruselli, who jumped to a victory double after a year on the sidelines.

The flying duo landed the ClipMyHorse.TV grand prix on the CSI2* Andalucia Sunshine Tour in Spain, having topped the Vejer Trophy speed class on Thursday, where she beat Tabitha Kyle on last week’s six-bar winner Desterly. Holly described it as “a bit of an emotional” result after “a long road back from injury” for the stunning chestnut.

Guy Williams was among the other British winners this week on the tour, landing the 1.45m ranking class on 12-year-old stallion Ernie Of Greenhill Z.

Andalucia Sunshine Tour results

Abdel Said lands the LGCT grand prix of Doha, Qatar, with “big, sensible lady” Bonne Amie. (Image credit: LGCT)

Showjumping news: an emotional victory as LGCT season kicks off

The first Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) crown of the new season was earned by Belgium’s Abdel Saïd riding Bonne Amie in the €375,000 grand prix of Doha, Qatar, after a 10-way jump-off. The winning duo edged out Ireland’s LGCT grand prix first-timer Harry Allen on Calculatus by less than a quarter of a second, with Marcus Ehning third on relatively new ride Coolio 42.

“Bonne Amie is incredible, but she’s a big, sensitive lady and I struggled a little in the jump-offs last year,” said Abdel after securing his first LGCT grand prix victory. “I would maybe over-ride her a little, or not ride with enough feeling. But today it felt as though she matured and grew with some small changes and I’m thrilled it all came together. She truly deserves this win.”

Abdel has qualified for the new-look LGCT Super Grand Prix at the GC Playoffs in Riyadh this year.

LGCT grand prix of Doha results

Tom Wachman and Cathalina S find winning form at WEF. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Tom Wachman and 15-year-old mare soar to glory

Next in this week’s showjumping news round-up is young Irish rider Tom Wachman, who teamed up with his European team gold and individual silver-winning 15-year-old mare Cathalina S (Salt N Pepa S x Sandro) to win a 1.45m speed class at WEF.

“I think I was the only one in the class to do five strides to the double of verticals,” said the 19-year-old. “Cathalina has a huge stride and that’s one of the big things for her, how she can be very quick in the speed classes. I think that’s where I probably won. She’s super.”

WEF results

Ben Maher and Point Break land the grand prix at CSIO4* WEF. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

A winning streak for Ben Maher and a coming-of-age performance

And finally in this week’s international showjumping news round-up, the reigning Olympic champion Ben Maher celebrated a coming-of-age performance from rising star Point Break in the $200,000 CSIO4* grand prix at WEF, Florida.

The 10-year-old Swedish warmblood Action-Breaker x Balou Du Rouet stallion, owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright, produced the only double clear after a five-way jump-off.

“This is probably the biggest grand prix he’s won,” said Ben, who acquired the stallion as a six-year-old. “He’s just an incredible horse. He started at WEF in the seven-year-old jumpers. It wasn’t so long ago he was spooking off every golf cart and we were in the back arenas; I kept switching arenas trying to get the groundwork in. But he was always a very talented horse and he’s progressed very nicely.

“He’s a stallion and he’s had quite a few very nice foals now, but he’s like a pet when you’re not on him. But his athleticism is what separates him from the other horses. The way he can bend his body and move his shoulder allows my job to become much easier. I can ride at the jumps and trust that he can do the job for me.”

Earlier in the week, Ben had triumphed with Jane Clark’s 13-year-old mare Ginger-Blue in the WEF Challenge Cup, who also made her Nations Cup debut with Ben this week.

“It’s always special to win any FEI competition, especially here in Wellington; there’s a lot of good horse and rider combinations any week,” said Ben. “But there’s a lot of people that fly in especially for this week, so to start it like this is a confidence boost.

“There’s strength and depth in my team, both horses and people. It’s a great time to be able to ride right now,” added Ben, whose groom Kirsty Bond won the groom’s award in the grand prix.

WEF results

‘Global followers and unique locations’: new showing tour boats €17m prize fund

Sarah Radford — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 19:21:47 +0000

A new showing tour with an unprecedented prize fund has been launched under Jan Tops’ Global Champions banner. The Arabian Global Champions Tour, which was announced at the World Arabian Horse Championships in Doha, Qatar, will offer an incredible €17m in prize money.

The tour will incorporate seven events, launching in February 2024 in the Middle East in Doha, before visiting Abu Dhabi and Muscat. There will be a further four European dates between July and December: Cannes, Valkenswaard, Rome and Paris.

The Qatari-backed initiative is seeking to promote the Arabian horse, following the model of Jan’s hugely successful Longines Global Champions showjumping tour (LGCT), which was founded in 2006.

The LGCT attracts the world’s top competitors and was expanded in 2018 to incorporate a second, team championship, the Global Champions League.

At a press conference in Doha announcing the initiative, GCTV presenter Marc Lewis said: “We have created a unique Arabian horse tour that will bring the sport to the next level, connecting people and culture through a common passion.

“One of the tour goals is to further develop and professionalise Arabian sports attract new fans. We want to use the platform of Global Champions to assist and grow. We want to create new opportunities for the stakeholders and most importantly, we want to ensure consistent, fair and balanced competition.”

The Arabian Global Champions will follow a standard Arabian in-hand showing format, but competitors will accumulate points for top 10 placings throughout the tour, and there will be awards for both horses and handlers. While some horses will compete throughout the series, others can contest individual legs.

More than €1m in prize money is available for each stage, with additional €5.5m available in bonuses in Doha and Abi Dhabi, plus an overall €4m championship bonus.

At each event, the top performers in each of the three main categories — yearlings, junior and senior — will be able to win an individual top prize of €50,000.

Jan said: “When people love horses in general, they will always respect the horse and I think the beauty horses also deserve a format similar to what we did with the Global Champions Tour, where they get global followers and unique locations [to show in].

“They already have special locations in the Middle East but we will also get some new ones in Europe and they will be connected into a platform where the best horses in the world can be followed and get constant media attention.”

Joanne Lowe, chairman of the UK’s Arab Horse Society, told H&H the tour could be a “great shot in the arm for the Arab horse”.

“Currently, a small percentage of the prize money from the major Middle Eastern shows is used by the European Conference of Arab Horse Organizations (ECAHO) to award prize money to the first three places in ECAHO in-hand and performance classes at national shows around Europe and the Middle East. It would be nice if some of the funds from this tour could filter down to the grassroots end of the business in the same way,” she added.

Jodie Hall McAteer: ‘The glitz and glamour of elite showjumping may appeal on Instagram, but logistically it can prove exhausting’

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 10:38:18 +0000

British showjumper Jodie Hall McAteer is a young star of the sport, regularly competing at five-star level. She rides for GCL team New York Empire. In her latest H&H column, she discusses rider mental health and a change of base for her and her horses

I have just returned from competing in the Global Champions League (GCL) Super Cup Final at the Global Champions Prague Playoffs, where I was the under-25s rider for Georgina Bloomberg’s New York Empire team.

It’s one of the calendar’s most spectacular events, held in a sold-out O2 Arena, and the atmosphere is one of a kind. Being part of the “Walk of Champions” parade alongside some of the best riders in the world is an unforgettable feeling and although I can still feel out of place besides them, it’s remarkable.

It was my third year at the playoffs – I guess you could say I am becoming a veteran! The competition did not quite go our way as my team was knocked out in the quarter finals but I was delighted to take second in Saturday’s feature class with Hardessa, who continued her strong form from Horse of the Year Show.

It’s a rewarding feeling when it all comes together on one of the most prestigious stages in the world and even more so when a partnership starts to be consistent.

It’s not all glitz and glamour

Equestrianism is an all-consuming lifestyle and in showjumping there is no off season. It is not as simple as just putting the racket away. In the last month alone I have travelled to seven different countries, competed at three international shows, two national shows and had about one day to myself to recover from it all!

The glitz and glamour may appeal on Instagram, but logistically it can prove exhausting, not only for me but for everyone else helping to keep the show on the road.

As showjumpers the most common question we ask one another is, “Where are you off to next?” The majority will then reel off a long list of shows they’ve lined up. Sometimes I feel myself getting caught up in the hustle culture of the industry, worrying about where I should be rather than appreciating where I am.

Equestrians can have a long career if we look after ourselves, it is a marathon not a sprint, so it’s essential to go at your own pace.

I was interviewed recently by Horse & Country TV for the Mollie Summerland: Mental Health Awareness programme to discuss how I handle the sport’s inevitable highs and lows. Mental wellbeing is extremely important, and it is refreshing to see more riders sharing their own experience of setbacks and how they overcome them.

In my calendar I like to have some breathing space to train without a countdown to a start bell for a particular class on a particular day. Spending so much time constantly travelling can also induce a severe case of “show sickness”, so it’s nice to refresh and live a life with more to it than just horses.

No place like home

With GCL commitments finished for the year and no World Cups to target, I have made the decision to move my horses back to the UK and work more closely with my family’s stables.

I’ve spent the past three years based with my trainer Ben Schröder at BWG Stables in the Netherlands, and while we’ll continue working together, I’m excited to take on the challenge of thinking for myself more. Alongside learning a system, management and riding, I’ve come away from BWG with the knowledge that it’s more than acceptable to eat cake for breakfast, especially when someone has won or fallen off!

Many British riders have moved to Europe in recent years to work, train and compete overseas but speaking from experience there really is no place like home. Britain is a horse-orientated country with strong professional and upcoming riders. It’s unfortunate that many feel obliged to leave their lives here in attempts to better themselves. I hope this is something that can change and the opportunity to develop becomes more accessible on home soil, but that is a subject for next time!

● Do you think riders are doing enough to maintain their mental wellbeing? Let us know at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your thoughts published in a future edition of Horse & Hound magazine

This exclusive column will also be available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 30 November, 2023

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)

Jodie Hall McAteer: ‘All the top riders were once boys and girls on ponies’

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 09:15:44 +0000

Jodie Hall McAteer, who competes regularly at five-star level, discusses opportunities for young riders and keeping up with ever-changing rules

I was competing in the London leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) for the third time – it’s crazy how quickly time flies. The Global shows were overwhelming in the beginning but you find your feet, get used to the cameras and atmosphere and don’t feel so completely out of place in the warm-up.

The opportunities the Global Champions League (GCL) teams give to under-25 riders have been a great contribution to the sport. In my first season, with the Cascais Charms, I was able to get into 10 five-star shows in six months. It was a bit of a shock but I learnt so much from the experience. There is no way, as a young rider, I could have stepped up without this format.

For the past two years Georgina Bloomberg has had me jumping with New York Empire and the team is filled with good riders. Being alongside people you look up to is a great support for someone coming into the sport. It’s a good opportunity to jump with riders from other nations and you get to know their systems as you ride together.

Just before I went in to jump one of the classes in London, I had a reminder of how as a rider you need to keep checking the rules, which are often updated. When I was in hind boot control, the steward noticed that I had vetwrap round my bit, which is no longer allowed, only latex. The rule was brought in only two weeks ago.

The round went well, but we had to change the bit and it did cause a bit of stress!

The hamster wheel of shows

You miss spending time with family and friends when you’re on the hamster wheel of international shows – it’s probably the biggest sacrifice you make, and when you’re not having a good time you can feel very far from home.

So it was nice to be back in England with everyone’s support – and there were a lot of familiar faces in London. My sister Ellie was jumping the two-star, while Hyde Park Stables, which my mum, Mandy Hall, runs, was sponsoring some classes and providing the pony rides.

As the stables are busy with tourists at this time of year, they didn’t have enough ponies to spare, so we brought my first pony, Rosie Lee, who is now 29. She loved it and was really well behaved, although that wasn’t always the case.

I have a scar on my eye from when I fell off her trying to win a memorial trophy that was being presented at our riding school for points accumulated over 10 shows. I had Rosie in the first class and my other pony in the second.

After I cut my eye open, my dad took me to hospital but I still wanted to jump, as I had to compete in the next class to win. There was a four-hour wait, so I screamed in A&E until he relented and took me to Boots to get a butterfly plaster so I could go back to the show.

I still have the trophy at home, and we still have Rosie. Having her here was a nice reminder of how it all started. You can get caught up in results, but at the end of the day all of the top-level riders were once boys and girls riding round on their ponies.

● What does your first pony mean to you? Let us know at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your views published in a future edition of Horse & Hound magazine

This exclusive column will also be available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 17 August, 2023

Springsteen wows in LGCT London grand prix thriller: ‘This is special, this means a lot’

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 19:13:24 +0000

US showjumper Jessica Springsteen topped a thrilling 10-way jump-off to land the five-star grand prix at the London leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT London) on Sunday 13 August.

Riding the charismatic 14-year-old Don Juan Van De Donkhoeve, Jessica rocketed round Uliano Vezzani’s towering jump-off track to win nearly a second clear of her closest challenger Olivier Philippaerts of Belgium on H&M Miro to record her first LGCT grand prix win for nearly four years.

“The crowd here in London is unbelievable, it’s such a special atmosphere and they give you so much motivation. It was so much fun!” said Jessica, daughter of Bruce Springsteen, who has represented her country at the Olympic Games , winning team silver with this same horse, and the 31-year-old enjoys plenty of success at the top level of the sport.

“Don Juan always gets really excited when he hears the clapping and everything like that – it really winds him up, so he’s quite a handful! But this was really special, it means a lot.”

LGCT London: ‘You’re not going to get a podium unless you go for it’

The final line from an airy vertical on a sharp bend to the final Longines oxer proved a real conundrum, with most riders opting to hold rather than gamble with taking a stride out, but Jessica’s round was determined and quick from start to finish.

“With 10 of the fastest riders in the jump-off, I knew it was going to be really quick and you’re not going to get a podium unless you really go for it. I saw one less stride to the last fence and I was like, ‘Should I?’ revealed Jessica Springsteen. “But when you’re going so fast, it’s hard – you can’t really keep pushing. So I said, ‘No, reel it in!’ Because I had the last jump down in the Paris grand prix, so I was thinking about that a bit. But Don Juan was incredible.”

When Jessica’s nippy jump-off round is compared with Olivier’s in the head-to-head below, you can see how much time she makes up on a staggeringly quick turn back to the double, midway on course.

Finishing third in front of the imposing Royal Hospital Chelsea on the final day of the LGCT London, and claiming an astounding 24th LGCT grand prix podium, was Dutch showjumper Harrie Smolders on the great Monaco NOP.

Best of the British riders was a delighted fifth-placed Olli Fletcher riding Hello William in his first ever five-star grand prix jump-off, on a horse who has made a remarkable comeback after colic surgery.

Jessica’s victory in the LGCT London grand prix earns her a ticket to the LGCT Super Grand Prix in Prague in November. In the overall LGCT Championship standings, Maikel van der Vleuten still leads on 238 points, nine points ahead of Harrie Smolders, with Christian Kukuk sitting in third.

‘The vet gave him zero chance’: young British rider and miracle horse deliver ‘fairytale’ grand prix performance

Sarah Radford — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 17:59:03 +0000

Olli Fletcher had a “fairytale” weekend at the London Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT London), jumping an inspiring double clear to finish fifth in his first 5* grand prix, riding Hello William — a horse who six months earlier, hadn’t been expected to survive.

Twenty-year-old Olli has a special bond with Lady Harris and Lady Kirkhams’ 11-year-old, who he has produced from his first show, but in February this year, he thought he would lose him when he needed colic surgery.

“I don’t know how he survived to be honest,” Olli said. “The vet gave him zero chance. So to come back from that is incredible. It’s why I got so emotional after the first round. This was his first proper show back.”

The exquisitely careful Waldo Van Dungen x Stakkato gelding had only jumped a couple of 1.45m rounds in Germany and Denmark before heading to Chelsea to jump his first 1.60m tracks at 5* level. His performance was impressive, not touching a pole in either Saturday’s grand prix qualifier, the Global Champions League individual competition, where he finished 12th, or Sunday’s main event.

“It wasn’t the weekend I was expecting but it was the weekend I’ll take,” Olli said.

“We’ve always had faith in him though, he’s always been king of the yard. I’ve never ridden a horse like him and I doubt I ever will.

“I really, truly believes he loves me and he was trying his heart out for me. Every time I walk to his stable he screams his head off. He’s adorable.”

LGCT London: ‘the course was massive, I’ve never seen anything like it’

Olli was one of seven British riders to make the field of 38 through to the grand prix, which featured 18 of the top 50 riders in the world.

He was one of 10 riders and two Brits to make the jump off, where he delivered a thrilling clear to fly the flag as top performer for the home side.

“I had him at a 5* last year but only to jump the 1.50m,” Olli said. “That was his first big track and back to back he didn’t disappoint.

“The course was massive for the grand prix, I’ve never seen anything like it. I was delighted with how he went yesterday and I just thought if I had a nice round today then I’d be happy.

“I wasn’t expecting a clear but I was delighted to have one and to have a go in the jump off. Neither of us have the experience that some of these riders have, a lot of these riders are on their last run out before Milan and the calibre in the jump off was incredible.”

The horse will now have a well-deserved break before hopefully being targeted at a few more top shows at the back end of the year.

“We’ve proved to everyone we can do it, so we’ll just keep tight and see if we get a call up. I truly think he’s good enough to go all the way,” Olli added on the final day of the LGCT London.

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‘It’s great to feel that adrenalin kick again’: Olympic medallist wins two months after neck injury

Sarah Radford — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 11:43:30 +0000

Peder Fredricson made a winning return to top competition, heading the Global Champions League leg alongside Stockholm Heart’s team mate Olivier Philippaerts in London.

The Swedish Olympic gold medallist was sidelined for two months with a neck injury sustained in a fall at the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) in Stockholm (16-18 June), while he was warming up for a seven-year-old class on H&M Que Sera.

He was held in hospital for three days following the accident, which damaged blood vessels in his neck.

“It was a great feeling being back, I missed everybody and it’s great to feel that adrenalin kick again,” said Peder, who helped dominate both rounds of the 1.60m team contest.

“I feel good but I will probably go and put something round my neck now.”

The H&M-backed duo were one of five teams to remain clear in the first round, where Peder rode 15-year-old Hansson WL — who returned to competition himself two months ago after a lay off — and Olivier the 12-year-old Le Blue Diamond Van’t Ruyteshof.

“I’m really happy to have him back, he’s a fantastic horse,” Peder said. “He was off for a while and came back a couple of months ago. Stockholm was his first big show and then here.”

The pair switched horses for the third round, where all of the top three teams added four faults.

Olivier delivered a sensible clear on H&M Miro, while Peder switched to 17-year-old Catch Me Not S, who has a strong track record in this ring, having won the grand prix in London two years ago.

With pressure on Peder to make up the time, he took a risk with a tight turn into the double which meant the second element fell, but the gamble still paid as the Swede crossed the line more than 6sec faster than any other combination in the top three.

“[The horse and I] try not to think too much about our age and today it went pretty good!” Peder said.

The win elevated the Stockholm Hearts to fourth in the Global Champions League, which will qualify them for the semi-final if they can maintain their position.

“All year round we have been struggling for enough horses and riders to compete at the max level, now Peder is ready to go and he performed,” Olivier added.

‘It’s nice to complete the collection!’: rider claims winner’s rug at home LGCT show

Sarah Radford — Sat, 12 Aug 2023 13:00:40 +0000

Izac Ketteridge and the talented stallion Galerius put a spell of “bad luck” behind them to take the Hunter Woodshaving’s CSI2* 1.40m speed class by a convincing 2sec at the London Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT).

“Today was what we’ve been waiting for,” said 21-year-old Izac, who rides for Elisha Simmons. “I’ve let him down a couple of times recently and we just haven’t had the best of luck.”

Last year the combination took wins on both of their other LGCT appearances in Rome and Valkenswaard but finished second on their home soil in a 2* 1.30m.

“It was funny because this was our home show and we won a rug at all the others,” Izac said. “It’s quite nice to complete the collection!”

Izac has been riding the 12-year-old Diamant De Semilly x Sandro Boy stallion for just over a year and has been successful both internationally and on the county circuit, as well as jumping on the young rider nations cup team in Compiègne.

“He’s been a great horse for me, we go here, there and everywhere,” he said. “He’s had a little holiday, as he’d done quite a lot since last year, and this was his first win since he’s been back.”

The class was the opening 2* of Saturday’s schedule and was dominated by strong performances from the Brits, who seized the top six places.

Freshly-crowned national champions Adrian Speight and Millfield Baloney were the first to show them how it’s done, initially forging a 9.27sec advantage from 18th-to-go.

Another 25 riders jumped before he was overtaken by a great forward performance from Izac and Galerius, who stormed the final line to thrust 4.22sec into the lead.

In the final throes, Sally Goding managed to slot into second place with her very consistent homebred nine-year-old mare Spring Willow, but couldn’t quite challenge Izac’s time. It was the second runner-up spot of the show for the pair, who also finished second in Thursday’s Waddesdon Rothschild 1.40m.

‘No time for bucking today!’: speedy LGCT London winner thanks her mare, who is ‘totally in tune with my thinking’

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 12:51:49 +0000

The Longines Global Champions Tour of London (LGCT London) is a lucky venue for Irish showjumper Aisling Byrne and on Friday (11 August) she followed up on last year’s “emotional” victory to win again, this time riding her super long-time partner, the 15-year-old mare Celeste SPB Z.

“This show is incredible, so to win here is an absolute honour,” said a delighted Aisling after the CSI2* GC Store 1.15m speed class held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

“There’s some very tough competition here, so it’s nice to get a win. We’ve been very lucky and we had a very good show two weeks ago in Dinard, in France, then here as well. So she’s in great form – she’s pulling it out of the bag for us!”

But while Aisling is flying high in the international ring at the LGCT London, just five years ago she was told she would never be able to walk again, after a horror fall from a horse on the Sunshine Tour, and she is still feeling the effects of her injuries.

“I’m still doing a lot of rehab – I have to compensate for different things at different times,” says Aisling. “Sometimes walking the course really leaves my legs fatigued, so I have to be careful how much walking I do because it affects me when I get on the horse.”

LGCT London: ‘It’s like the horses know – they totally help me out’

“But the horses are so good – it’s like they know and they totally help me out,” explains Aisling. “Especially Celeste, she’s so in tune with what I’m thinking, I only have to think to turn and she’s already on it.

“She felt like she was really on it and ready to do well today – she loves a jump-off and she’s so competitive. She’s got a great brain, so every time she does a turn she’s seeing where the next fence is – she’s a really good partner to have. The crowd are fantastic – she loves it and gets a bit spicy when she hears them!

“Sometimes she bucks when she’s in the ring but I said to her today ‘We have no time for that – you can play tomorrow!’ It was super fun.”

Aisling said she “ran away and hid” until she heard the end result and realised she’d won, but has every confidence in the Zangersheide-bred 15-year-old mare.

“I’ve had her since she was a young horse, then she had a big break when I was off with my accident,” said Aisling. “So she did nothing for quite a few years. I just kept her ticking over on the flat, then she came back jumping and she absolutely loves the shows. Her breeders get in touch regularly and they can’t believe how well she looks for her age. I’m glad we’re doing her justice! She is spoiled though!”

Finishing second in the CSI2* GC Store 1.15m speed class at the LGCT London was yesterday’s victors Isabella Beecroft-Luckett and Dahar, with Michaela Whitaker third on Lingala.

Olympic eventer-turned-showjumper lands LGCT London win on exciting seven-year-old mare

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 10:36:06 +0000

Friday’s opening CSI2* class at the Longines Global Champions Tour of London (LGCT London) was won by Olympic bronze medal-winning eventer-turned-showjumper Chris Burton of Australia riding a very exciting young mare.

A hefty field of 63 lined up for the Martin Collins London Cup against the clock on 11 August and Chris, who has been pursuing purely a showjumping career for the past couple of years, set a flying target of 62.26sec with Ellie Guy’s seven-year-old Chedington Azzurra. He then faced a long wait as the remaining competitors tried their best to catch him, but the poles kept on falling – in particular the final line of oxer-vertical double to the red post box vertical to finish, and in fact his time proved completely unbeatable.

“It’s so exciting just to be here, what an amazing show – we’re very grateful to the owners for letting me ride here,” said Chris. “I came here last year and it’s lovely to have a win on Geoffrey and Elli Guy’s lovely mare.”

LGCT London: ‘A future grand prix horse’, says Chris Burton

Dutch-bred Azzurra is by Arezzo VDL x Contendro II and was previously ridden by Ireland’s Adam Morgan. Chris rides a lot of the Guys’ horses under their Chedington prefix and he took the reins on Azzurra last year, contesting the six-year-old world championships and has produced her through a string of young horse classes this year. But the LGCT London marked her first CSI2* success and she’s clearly one for the future.

“She’s very brave, very clever and we think a lot of her – she’s going to be a grand prix horse, no question, she’s amazing,” said Chris. “When you go early and you’re in the lead, you have an anxious wait watching everyone go, but it was fun sitting watching with the owners.”

Taking the runner-up spot in Friday’s Martin Collins London Cup at the LGCT London was young British rider Claudia Moore, who finished a second behind the winner riding a horse on the other end of the age scale, the 15-year-old Ultrachic De Charmois. Tallulah Mackenzie-Smith finished third on Karaibes, while yesterday’s winner Nicole Lockhead-Anderson completed a British two-three-four on another seven-year-old, Actavarina PS.

Third time lucky: how brilliant mare finally earned the ‘win she deserved’ at LGCT London

Sarah Radford — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 08:12:30 +0000

Nicole Lockhead Anderson and Christian Street have been knocking on the door of win for the past few weeks and finally laid claim to a winner’s rug when they headed the Waddesdon Rothschild 2* 1.40m speed class by a masterly 2sec at the London Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT London).

Nicole and the 10-year-old mare have been together since June and recently delivered a superb performance on their 5* debut at the Royal International, finishing runners-up in the speed classic. A week later, they claimed second place in the British Showjumping national speed horse final.

“She was due a win, bless her, she’s been so consistent,” Nicole said. “It’s great to win here in London on a horse like her, who I think a lot of. It’s only the first day here but there’s still a real buzz the in the arena.”

Nicole spearheaded a British one-two-three in this closing class of the day, overtaking an early lead set by Max Routledge and Janeiro 4.13sec. Her round from 14th-to-go of 47 starters held on to its advantage, deflecting a late bid from Sally Goding and Spring Willow, which fell 2sec short of target.

“She likes going fast and I just got into a rhythm. She naturally travels and covers the ground and luckily everything came up really nicely. She’s so careful I never have to worry about the fences,” Nicole said on day one of the LGCT London.

“She likes a speed class as she naturally suits going forward. She’s a lovely horse to ride and do everything with. We’re very lucky to have her.

“She is my cup of tea — really blood, really careful and likes going fast, so it works well!”

Nicole is based with Tom Williams and the Christian x Poker mare, who is owned by Berger Sportpferde, was sent to them by Schockemöhle.

“They send us the odd older one,” Nicole explained. “We sold [her British young riders’ team horse] Chatondo just after the Europeans, and then she arrived.”

Nicole won the 2* grand prix here last year on another staggeringly quick grey mare, Chilli, and is aiming to repeat the feat with Christian Street later this week.

“It would be nice to do it again! She is very like Chilli, she likes to leave the jumps up and go fast.”

Teenage rider and her ‘feisty’ chestnut mare beat their senior rivals to win LGCT London opener

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 14:59:13 +0000

The Longines Global Champions Tour of London (LGCT London) kicked off on Thursday (10 August) with a brilliant British win for teenage rider Isabella Beecroft-Luckett with her “feisty” chestnut mare Dahar. The 15-year-old racked up a string of top placings at the show last year, but said it “felt amazing” to claim a winner’s rug and lead the lap of honour for the opening CSI2* 1.15mIG Equine Boutique two-phase.

Drawn late with the second of her two rides, Isabella steered the mare accurately round the tight bends and forward down the lines during the final section, just holding to the final oxer to nip home a whisker – 0.03sec to be precise – in front of long-time leader Tara Dow-Rein of Canada riding Hokyra Fortuna.

“Dahar is really good at turning and sitting up at the end to wait for the final fence which we did on that final line,” explained Isabella of her mother Claire Beecroft’s Dutch-bred Quasimodo Van De Molendreef x Voltaire mare, who previously jumped on children-on-horses with Olli Fletcher.

“She’s quite strong, but she makes up for it because she’s fast. She’s also so bouncy that she’s not great to ride on the flat – all she wants to do is get in the ring and jump fences.”

LGCT London: receiving instructions over the phone

Isabella’s mother Claire was in sole trainer mode while Isabella’s father Geoff Luckett was stuck at home watching the livestream – and phoning through instructions. The former international showjumper is on the sidelines after breaking his leg in a motorbike accident at home. It certainly paid off for Isabella, a former England mounted games team rider, who is in flying form at the moment.

Dahar was given to her when Isabella was 11 and moving from ponies to horses. The mare wasn’t necessarily the obvious choice with her fiery nature, but the pair have formed an incredible bond.

“I know her the best out of all of my group of horses, and it’s really nice to have a horse I know how to ride like her,” said Isabella.

Taking third in the opening class of the LGCT London was Ireland’s Aisling Byrne, a regular winner at this show, riding Celeste SPB Z, while Isabella’s aunt Imogen Beecroft took fourth on Chablis.

Top showjumper dies from colic on way to major show

Becky Murray — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 11:53:28 +0000

An international showjumping stallion has died aged 13 from colic on his way to a competition.

El Torreo de Muze, owned by Brazilian Olympic showjumper Bernardo Alves and Joris De Brabander of the Belgian Stal De Muze stud, developed colic while travelling to Monaco on 27 June.

“It is with a heavy heart that we write this message. This morning El Torreo de Muze sadly passed away,” read a Stal De Muze statement yesterday (28 June).

“The 13-year-old grey stallion was on his way to the Global Champions Tour in Monaco to compete in the five-star competition, but a severe colic attack decided otherwise.

“With his passing, we bid farewell to one of our biggest stars. Rest in peace, El Torreo. We will miss you.”

El Torreo de Muze was by Taran De La Pomme and out of Funky Music. He was competed at grand prix level by Bernardo, and the pair were third at their last international competition, a CSI4* at Geesteren, the Netherlands, on 11 June, which counted as a Paris 2024 qualifying result.

Bernardo, who has competed at a number of championships including the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, took over the ride of El Torreo from Belgian rider Lelie Walter in 2017. They soon worked their way up the ranks, with consistent results all over Europe at 1.50m level. In 2021 Bernardo and El Torreo competed at the Nations Cup final in Barcelona, where Brazil finished seventh.

Bernardo paid tribute to El Torreo following the “sad news”.

“El Torreo had been with me since he was six years old. With him I had the opportunity to be back at the highest level of the sport. Together we won many grands prix such as Bourg en Bresse, Rabat, Arezzo, Opglabbeek, Lier,” he said.

“He won more than 10 FEI Longines rankings classes and was placed among the top three in 26. With El Torreo I returned to represent Brazil at Aachen in 2021 having scored a clear round in the Nations Cup, and qualification for the grand prix.”

Bernardo thanked the Stal De Muze family and team for giving him the opportunity to ride El Torreo

“Rest in peace my beloved partner. You will be very missed,” he said.

‘Not a dry eye in the house’: British teenager wins her first grand prix and wildfires threaten five-star jumping

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 16:44:59 +0000

To win an international grand prix at the age of 18 is an amazing achievement, but to do so when you’re still new to the sport is even more remarkable, so hats off to British teenager Keira Stoute for an understandably emotional victory in Cannes at the weekend.

Meanwhile, wildfires threatened to halt proceedings at the five-star Continental tournament at Spruce Meadows, Canada, but there was certainly no stopping British rider Matt Sampson who, with two wins already under his belt, looks well on his way to matching his streak of 17 victories at the venue last summer. Read on for this week’s round-up of international showjumping news and results.

Pony Clubber steps up for emotional grand prix victory

The CSI2* grand prix at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Cannes, France, resulted in an emotional victory for 18-year-old Keira Stoute with a new ride of barely four months, the 12-year-old Cassini Gold gelding KI Guru. Five combinations jumped clear in round one, three of whom were flying the British flag, but Keira won with the quickest double clear in 41.45sec, over four seconds faster than runner-up Genene Burnett for South Africa riding Vanda Phantom, with fellow Brit Tess Carmichael third riding Luke Lemon. Joe Clayton posted the fastest time but with faults on the great mare Belinda.

Keira is only just stepping up to CSI2* grands prix, having only jumped internationally for the first time two years ago, and the teenager comes from a Pony Club background so is still relatively new to the sport of showjumping.

“We are all absolutely delighted,” Keira’s trainer Tom Plaster told H&H of her win on the Riviera. “What Keira has achieved with her level of experience is amazing.

“She rode the jump-off absolutely to plan. It was only her second ranking class and to go in there, do all the turns and win by four seconds is fantastic. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house – it was a very proud moment for Keira’s parents, Richard and Sarah, her sister Lauren and myself, and for the whole team at Keysoe. Keira’s got a really strong team behind her.

“She deserves it though – she really puts the work in and we train hard every day.”

Tom describes Guru as a “lovely, gentle horse, really kind”.

“He’s a great teacher for Keira, he helps her along the way, but Keira puts the work in too,” he explained. “She makes sure she keeps it all together. He’s a big horse, so it’s amazing for an 18-year-old with her level of experience to manoeuvre him round and she does so very well. All her training paid off to guide him round in Cannes.”

According to Tom, he and Keira are now “back to the drawing board” and hoping for some more good results this year.

“She’s showjumping full time now and she and I are out there training every day,” said Tom, who began working with Keira five months ago.

Kiera Stoute and KI Guru in action en route to winning the CSI2* grand prix at the LGCT of Cannes (Image credit: Stefano Grasso)

“At the moment we’re just concentrating on what we’re doing but her aim is to go all the way to the top. Short-term we’re aiming for young riders and under-25 competitions, to represent her country, that would be the main goal.”

Keira added: “I’m absolutely delighted to have won my first two-star grand prix world ranking class. I couldn’t have asked Guru to give me more than he did. He’s an exceptional horse with the biggest heart who just wants to deliver his best for you every time. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my head coach, Tom Plaster who really helps me develop as an athlete every day. I would also like to thank Gerry Mullins for his intense monthly boot camps and Cian O’Connor for his coaching and support on my journey to be the best I can be.”

Allen scores a ‘perfect ending’

Belgium-based British showjumper Millie Allen landed the CSI2* grand prix at CSI2* Peelbergen, the Netherlands, riding the nine-year-old Odarco Van D’Abelendreef. She described the win as a “perfect ending” after she also posted a 1.40m win with new mare Homey and her other horses all jumped well at the show.

“I was over the moon with Odarco and it was a really good day because nearly all the horses jumped clear that day in their finals,” Millie told H&H. “So to top it off with Odarco winning the grand prix was the perfect ending. He did everything he needed to do, and went fast.

“He’s quite a big horse. But he really listens to me, and he’s good at turning.

“Homey is a speedy little horse – pretty small but she has a massive stride,” she added. “I have a nice string at the moment and we’ve been slowly working away so it was nice to show what they’re made of.”

Fantastic 14-way jump-off for Rolex grand prix

An electric 14-combination jump-off for the Rolex grand prix of La Baule, France, resulted in a hard-fought win for Nicola Philippaerts of Belgium riding the 13-year-old mare Katanga VH Dingeshof. He had an anxious wait as final rider Jens Fredricson of Sweden rocketed home from final draw to come close to Nicola’s leading time, but stopped the clock just 0.3sec slower.

“It’s my first five-star win on Katanga and she really deserves it,” said Nicola. “She has often been very close to winning in major grands prix and she gave her all today. I am very proud of her. I saw the round by Henrik von Eckermann [the leader at the time, eventual third on Iliana] and I knew it would be hard because I don’t always have complete control over her. Then, when Jens set off, I was a bit stressed because we’ve known each other for a long time, we’re friends and I must confess that I was very happy when I saw the timer stop.”

Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z NOP win the CSI5* LGCT grand prix of Cannes (Image credit: creditUnknown)

‘I may as well throw the kitchen sink at it’

Dutch showjumper Maikel van der Vleuten triumphed in the CSI5* Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix of Cannes with his Olympic medallist Beauville Z NOP. He was last to go and stopped the clock 0.5sec quicker than Belgium’s Pieter Devos on Mom’s Toupie De La Roque, with Michael Duffy third with Cinca 3.

“I made a plan with my father [Eric van der Vleuten] and it’s a fantastic feeling when it works out that well,” said Maikel, who also heads the LGCT overall standings. “My family was here today as well as the owner of Beauville, Marta Ortega Pérez with her husband, so it was a fantastic moment for me today.”

Pieter Devos paid tribute to the winner: “I’m super, super happy of course, but it was so close it also feels a bit bitter. Maikel is one of the best, so I knew he was very dangerous to me and I thought OK, I do my round and hopefully he goes a bit slower or has one down – but he didn’t because he’s the best.”

Ireland’s Michael Duffy added: “When there were 13 clears I said ‘I’m not going to leave it behind me, I may as well throw the kitchen sink at it and see what happens’. She jumped great, she jumped amazing – and she deserved it as well.”

Wildfires fail to halt Spruce Meadows’ five-star tournament

The final day of the Spruce Meadows Continental tournament presented by Rolex looked under threat when winds brought smoke from the Alberta wildfires. Immediate attention was “brought to the situation in consultation sport federation guidelines, the FEI veterinary commission, health experts and data analysis of both the air quality index and air particulate concentration. The data, and the experts, agreed that competition could continue with no additional health risks to either human or equine athlete.”

Although the FEI does not have a formal poor air quality guideline, the government of Canada (AQHI), Sport Canada (NF) and Equine Canada have guidelines in place for this type of environmental factor and the competition was determined with the OC, veterinary commission and the FEI officials that it could be given the green light.

Gamble bows to the judges at Spruce Meadows with Conor Swail in the saddle (Image credit: creditUnknown)

The Spruce Meadows grand prix was won by Colombian rider John Perez riding Gigi-Carmen, while Conor Swail of Ireland won the CSI2* equivalent on Gamble and Great Britain’s Matt Sampson kicked off what could be another successful summer at the venue, adding two wins to his tally with Lord Of London and MGH Candy Girl. Could he beat his record run of 17 wins from last year?

Grand prix ends with a barefoot one-two, 60 clear rounds, British team success and a ‘whaaaat!’ moment

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 16:33:59 +0000

Sun, sea and showjumping… Saint-Tropez tops the list as one of the most glamorous sporting locations and we were treated to an epic grand prix jump-off there, on Saturday (3 June) for the Longines Global Champions Tour, which was topped by two barefoot horses.

But action continued across the globe, including top league Nations Cup events in Switzerland and Canada, while junior riders also flew the British flag in style. Here is your round-up of all this week’s international showjumping news and results.

A barefoot one-two in grand prix

At the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of St Tropez, Ramatuelle, a duo of barefoot horses battled it out for top honours against the clock with French showjumper Julien Epaillard snatching victory aboard Donatello D’Auge, and Christian Kukuk claiming second on Mumbai, just 0.44sec adrift. Both horses have had their shoes removed and are proving incredibly successful.

“This horse is just fantastic, the atmosphere at this show is amazing and this is one of my best victories I think,” said Julien, who qualified for the LGCT Super Grand Prix.

“It’s not so easy to win a Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix and we work every day for this, so when this happens we can enjoy it.”

Christian added: “It is not a shame to be beaten by Julien Epaillard; he is one of the fastest riders on our circuit and I was very close.”

Great Britain’s Scott Brash took fifth, having hit the final fence in the five-way jump-off riding Hello Jefferson, while Lily Attwood finished runner-up in a five-star class on day one riding Karibou Horta.

“Of course, I would have liked to have won but I’m super pleased with how Horton’s feeling,” she said.

LGCT Saint Tropez results

The colourful prizegiving for the Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix of Saint Tropez (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Victory for Harry Charles

At the CSI5* St Gallen, Switzerland, the British team of Donald Whitaker (Millfield Colette), Tim Gredley (Medoc De Toxandria), Joe Stockdale (Equine America Cacharel) and Harry Charles on Casquo Blue finished a valiant fourth to winners Switzerland in the Nations Cup. Harry had started the show with a 1.50m win on Ann Thompson’s Aralyn Blue and the in-form rider went on to finish third in the grand prix riding Romeo 88, who just lost his footing on a turn during an electric jump-off, where victory went to Harrie Smolders riding Uricas VD Kattevennen for the Netherlands.

CSI5* St Gallen results

Showjumping news: Ireland beats home nation at Thunderbird

In Canada, Ireland came out top in the Longines FEI Nations Cup at Thunderbird Show Park. A win would have qualified Canada for the Nations Cup final in Barcelona in October but they had to settle for second. The Irish squad of Shane Sweetnam (James Kann Cruz), David Blake (Claude), Daniel Coyle (Gisborne VDL) and Conor Swail (Nadal Hero & DB) won with a score of four.

“It was a sweet victory, because we knew Canada had a really strong team,” said Irish chef d’equipe Michael Blake. “The luck went our way and it all worked out.”

There were only two double clears, from Shane Sweetnam and Erynn Ballard of Canada riding Gakhir.

“This is tough sport. It’s difficult and you’re always putting your best foot forward,” said Shane, who was trying a new bit with the 10-year-old gelding. “You’re trying your best for the team. We have a great team spirit and we wanted to win.”

CSIO5* Thunderbird Show Park results

Conor Swail(IRL) and Nadal Hero & DB, for Team Ireland, winners of the CSIO5* LONGINES FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Canada (CAN) (Image credit: creditUnknown)

‘He was faster and I said ‘whaaat’!

When Brazil and Switzerland tied for top spot after two rounds of the Nations Cup in the St Gallen, Switzerland, a thrilling jump-off ensued between home hero Martin Fuchs riding Leoni Jei and Brazil rider Yuri Mansur on Miss Blue-Sain Blue Farm QH. Martin sealed Switzerland’s second win in a row on home soil with a clear round in 42.14sec while Yuri rocketed round quicker, only to hit the final fence, finishing in 41.84sec – although the Swiss rider hadn’t seen the fence fall.

“I couldn’t even watch the last fence because I was looking at the time on the clock hoping Yuri would be slower,” said Martin. “The clock stopped and he was faster and I was ‘whaaaat’!

“I have to say congrats to team Brazil and Yuri Mansur for really making it so exciting for everyone.”

Martin was joined by Edouard Schmitz, Bryan Balsiger and Steve Guerdat on top of the podium.

CSI5* St Gallen results

British podium finishes

Claudia Moore led a brilliant succession of British grand prix placings over the weekend, winning the CSI2* at Sancourt, France, riding Hardesther. Joe Clayton and Belinda finished runners-up in the equivalent grand prix in Saint Tropez, while William Funnell and Equine America Billy Marmite finished third in the CSI3* grand prix of Cabourg, France, and Robert Murphy also secured a grand prix podium finish riding Comme Cornet in the Netherlands.

Scott Brash on Hello Jefferson (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Scott Brash helps GCL team triumph

Global Champions League Team New York Empire won the Saint-Tropez leg of the series, courtesy of a lightning quick finish from Scott Brash on Hello Jefferson, and US team-mate Spencer Smith riding Theodore Manciais. This was the team’s first success since 2019.

“This is fantastic for the whole team, we are delighted for Georgina Bloomberg, she’s really backed the GCL for many years so it is brilliant to get a win for the New York Empire,” said Scott. “Both rounds were big, and both rounds were tough, as we saw with no teams on double clear. “

In another noteworthy moment, Great Britain’s Ben Maher notched up an incredible 60th clear round in the GCL series.

Juniors jump to victory

And finally in this week’s showjumping news round-up, Great Britain’s junior Nations Cup team triumphed at the Youth Festival in the Netherlands. The squad of Lauren Caroline, Tabitha Kyle, Olivia Banks and Noora Von Bulow won after a four-way jump-off against Sweden, Germany and Belgium. Ireland’s pony squad of Abbie Oakey, Annie Boland, Chloe Hughes Kennedy and Emily Moloney also found the winning formula. Also on ponies, Harriet Hodge of Great Britain went on to win the grand prix riding Little Charlie, with Madison Seedhouse second with Vaughann De Vuzit.

CHIO Youth results

John Whitaker ‘never gets used to winning’, Bosty takes a sideways approach and Scott Brash wins a cake

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 16:21:24 +0000

This week, we enjoyed five-star showjumping as far afield as Mexico City, where the Longines Global Champions Tour rolled into town, and there were sombreros galore. Meanwhile back on home soil, some of Great Britain’s top riders gathered to contest the CSI2* show at Chard, Somerset.

Flying Frenchman Roger Yves Bost performed his trademark acrobatics to win a grand prix on home soil and Scott Brash was last seen digging into a chocolate cake won in a five-star class. Here is your weekly round-up of all the international showjumping news highlights and results from across the world.

‘He’s going faster by the day’

Leading French showjumper Roger Yves Bost won the GL Events grand prix at the CSI4* Fontainebleau with the 13-year-old Cassius Clay VDV Z, who he describes as “13 years old but getting faster by the day!” “Bosty” topped the 1.55m 14-strong jump-off by well over a second, performing his trademark acrobatics in the saddle – appearing to almost ride sideways over the towering vertical (pictured top) – to slice the shortest route home in front of a thrilled home crowd. “Cassius has been in good form over the past few shows, but it is not often he goes so fast in a jump-off,” he said of their first win together.

Fontainebleau grand prix results

Win your cake and eat it

At the 5* Longines Global Champions Tour of Mexico, British rider Scott Brash won a competitive 1.50m two-phase on Lady Harris’ and Lady Kirkham’s 14-year-old Hello Mr President. As well as the €13,050 prize-money he picked up for his success, Scott was presented with a fabulous equine-themed cake back at the hotel.

Trofeo Mercedes Benz results

John Whitaker and Equine America Unick Du Francport winning in Fontainebleau, (Image credit: PSV – J.Morel)

‘You never get too used to winning’

British jumping legend John Whitaker, who turns 68 this year, won the Prix CWD 1.50m jump-off class at the CSI4* Fontainebleau on his great campaigner Equine America Unick Du Francport, who is back from a break. “Despite my age, you never get too used to winning, because in this sport, you lose more often than you win,” said John, who was first to go against the clock in a six-way jump-off. “Today’s course was tough – only six combinations finished clear out of 70 starters, which is not very many. It was a technical course, which also had to be completed in a short time, which means you have to take risks.

“It’s quite difficult to win from first position, so I had a plan in my mind but I was worried about [second-placed] Max Kuhner because he’s been in top form this year. But it was one of those rounds where everything went to plan; it was smooth, quick and controlled. It’s a nice feeling when it goes to plan!”

When asked if he’d made plans around next year’s Olympic Games in Paris, John said: “I don’t know yet. This year I’m 68 and if someone had told me 10 years ago that I still had the chance to go to the Olympics, I wouldn’t have believed it. So it’s not really in my mind. But if the horse is jumping like today, then anything is possible!”

Prix CWD results

Grand prix glory for Sienna Charles

At the CSI2* grand prix at Chard, Somerset, Sienna Charles topped a mammoth 23-strong jump-off with the 14-year-old gelding Valkiry De Zance. You can read the full report from the show in next week’s magazine, in the shops Thursday 4 May.

Chard grand prix results

The Mexico City LGCT grand prix podium featuring David Will, Malin Baryard-Johnsson and Laura Kraut (Image credit: creditUnknown)

First LGCT grand prix for David Will

German showjumper David Will landed his first Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix in Mexico City aboard My Prins Van Dorperheide. Malin Baryard-Johnsson and H&M Indiana cannoned home for second place, just ahead of US rider Laura Kraut on Baloutinue.

“My horse made it easy for me today, he jumped unbelievable in front of this incredible crowd,” said David, who picked up the series’ third golden ticket for the Super Grand Prix in November. “The horse already deserved to win last week in Miami, but I made a mistake to the last fence in the jump-off so I am thrilled I made up for it today.”

Laura Kraut said her Olympic silver medal-winning partner Baloutinue “is a winner to me.”

“I am very happy there were two women on the podium, that’s important to me for people to realise the women are just as strong as the men,” she said.

Malin now leads the LGCT championship on 99 points, with Maikel van der Vleuten holding onto second with 94 points and Abdel Saïd catapaulting up the rankings to third on 79 points.

LGCT of Mexico City grand prix results

Howley soars to grand prix victory

And finally in this week’s showjumping news, Irish rider Richard Howley landed the Spring MET IV 2023 concluding CSI3* grand prix aboard rising star Consulent De Prelet Z.

“He’s a naturally quick horse, he is very careful so you can really trust him at the jumps,” said Richard, who also won a two-phase this week with the eight-year-old stallion Kolwa . “Consulent was in super shape and it felt like he could give a good result, so we had a go and the jump-off went our way.

“He is a very good horse and I plan to do some big things with him this year.”

William Funnell continued his good form at the show, finishing fifth on Equine America Billy Diamo, having earlier won a speed class with the 10-year-old Equine America Billy Marmite.

MET grand prix results

A paw performance: cheers as cat takes on Global Champions Tour showjumping track

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 12:56:16 +0000

Spectators at the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) are always guaranteed top sport – but possibly not of the feline variety.

The 2023 LGCT season kicked off in fine style in Doha at the weekend, and on the first day of competition, a cat with lofty ambitions gave the crowd a paw performance.

During a two-phase 1.45m speed class on 2 March, the black and white whiskered warrior was spotted cantering around the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, Doha.

“Before the bell went [for Olivier Philippaerts’ round], the cat ran in, so they stopped the countdown,” an LGCT spokesman told H&H. “Olivier stopped and patted his horse and pointed to the cat in case no one had seen it, and a few people were running trying to catch it.”

On the LGCT live stream, the commentator also noticed the mostly black cat, and quipped: “I hope it doesn’t bring him bad luck!”

A photo posted by on

The commentator added that the arena crew were doing their best to catch the animal in the huge arena, which had three exits. And the spokesman told H&H the cat, who may have had aspirations to become a Purr Vrieling, also clearly wanted to try the course itself before it left the ring.

“It jumped two fences!” she said. “It jumped through, clearing the bottom pole, before it ran out. No one claimed it – but it did get a round of applause after it jumped the jumps and ran out.”

Olivier and H&M Miro jumped clear to finish ninth in the CSI5* class, which was won by Ireland’s Denis Lynch on Cornets Iberio.

Legendary showjumper sidelined with broken leg

Becky Murray — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 16:58:07 +0000

German Olympic showjumper Ludger Beerbaum has undergone surgery after breaking his leg in a fall.

Ludger was competing at the Global Champions Tour (GCT) in Doha (2-4 March) along with Philipp Weishaupt and Christian Kukuk as part of the newly formed GCT team Riesenbeck International. The riders previously competed as Berlin Eagles and were the 2022 Global Champions League (GCL) champions.

On Thursday (2 March) Ludger was 27th in the CSI5* 1.45m on Mila, but in the next class – also a 1.45m – he had a fall from Christians Carado.

“Ludger immediately felt that this was more than a harmless fall,” said a Reisenbeck spokesman, adding that it was confirmed in hospital that Ludger had fractured his thigh.

Ludger underwent surgery to have stabilising plates and screws inserted into his leg, and in an update yesterday (5 March) it was confirmed the operation went well.

“Ludger has successfully been operated on and is now on the road to recovery,” said the spokesman.

“We would like to thank you all for the outstanding sympathy and well wishes in the last few days.”

Philipp and Christian continued to have a successful show, with Philip and 13-year-old gelding Coby 8 and Christian and 11-year-old stallion Mumbai helping Riesenbeck International claim victory in the GCL competition. The St Tropez Pirates featuring Simon Delestre and Marlon Modolo Zanotelli were second, while Marcus Ehning and John Whitaker picked up third for Valkenswaard United.

Philipp went on to be victorious with the nine-year-old mare Just Be Gentle in the competitive grand prix class. Christian and 10-year-old mare Nice Van’t Zorgvliet were second.

“It is a very special moment, the nicest story in this whole situation is when we have one down like what happened with Ludger’s accident; it could not have happened in a better place,” Philipp said. “We felt like the whole country of Qatar was helping us, the hospital was amazing and he almost felt like he was at home.”

What an angle! An influential fence, a British five-star win and 10-time Olympian leads Nations Cup victory

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 16:35:39 +0000

In this week’s international showjumping news, we watched Great Britain’s Jodie Hall McAteer swoop to victory in a CSI5* speed class in the Longines Global Champions Tour season opener in Doha, Qatar, where an inexperienced mare also posted an “unexpected” grand prix victory.

We were also wowed by one horse-and-rider combination’s daring angles en route to victory in Ocala, Florida, and a 10-time Olympian leading his Nations Cup squad to glory. This is what the sport’s all about! Here is our weekly round-up of international showjumping news and results.

Intricate fan is make or break fence

Course-designer Alan Wade was at his brilliant best at the World Equestrian Centre in Ocala, Florida, with this intricate fan fence (main image, top) in particular testing horses and riders in the $40,000 1.4m CSI3* two-phase. Victory went to speedy US rider Aaron Vale with Lori Osterstock’s I Adermie R4, who scythed over this obstacle at a breathtaking angle to set an unbeatable time.

“Alan Wade is a world-class course-designer and he has been creating great courses all week,” said Aaron. “The first phase let you jump around a bit, then the second phase had some fun elements. There was a hard inside turn from the Wheels Up jump to the fan vertical. It was hard to get inside to that fence smoothly because it was a tough angle.

“I didn’t get there as smoothly as I wanted, but Adermie is quick-footed enough that she kept it up,” he added of the 10-year-old Den Ham Blue R x Namelus R mare. “Then I found the rest [of the course] forward and to my advantage as Adermie is the type of horse that the faster you go, the better she jumps.”

Ocala results

Jodie Hall McAteer of Great Britain riding Kimosa Van Het Kitrahof to victory in the CSI5* speed class in Doha, Qatar. Photo: Longines Global Champions Tour (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Kimosa is the speed queen

THE 2023 edition of the Longines Global Champions Tour kicked off in Doha, Qatar, where there was plenty to celebrate for young British rider Jodie Hall McAteer, who swooped home fastest in Saturday’s 1.50m speed class riding the 13-year-old mare Kimosa Van Het Kitrahof.

She beat leading Swedish riders Malin Baryard-Johnsson on Harley Davidson and Henrik von Eckermann riding Hollywood V by nearly 2sec.

“I’d had a bit of an unlucky show but Kimosa’s been in great form recently. We’ve not actually had a big win for a while, although we’ve come close a few times, so it was really nice to get one finally,” said Jodie, who also represented New York Empire in the GCL competition. “I didn’t see Malin and Henrik’s rounds, I just made my own plan and stuck with it. Kimosa is a naturally very fast horse so I never really have to ride her too quick, she naturally covers the ground and she’s like a little pony, with a very fast pace. She’s always very competitive when I leave the fences up.”

Amongst the other winners in Doha was Ireland’s Denis Lynch, who topped the opening five-star two-phase on Cornet’s Iberio.

LGCT of Doha results

Inexperienced mare posts ‘unexpected’ CSI5* grand prix victory

Philipp Weishaupt (Just Be Gentle) and his co-rider from Ludger Beerbaum‘s stables, Christian Kukuk (Nice Van’t Zorgvliet) filled the top two positions on the LGCT grand prix podium in Doha, Qatar, separated by just 0.05sec. Remarkably, both riders teamed up the previous day to win the Global Champions League representing new team Riesenbeck International while team manager Ludger was in hospital recovering from surgery on a broken leg. Taking third in the grand prix was speedy French rider Simon Delestre on Dexter Fontenis Z after a 12-way jump-off.

It had been 11 years since Philipp’s last LGCT grand prix win and this was the mare’s first ever attempt at a grand prix, at only her fourth show at the top level.

“This is a very very special moment,” said Philipp, who earned a ticket to the Super Grand Prix in November for this victory on the inexperienced nine-year-old mare Just Be Gentle. “Winning a Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix is special but even more so with this young mare. I was never expecting to jump clear, let alone win. These unexpected wins are the nicest ones so I am over the moon right now.”

LGCT grand prix of Doha results

Daniel Coyle and Ivory TCS, winners of the $226,000 JTWG CSIO4* Grand Prix. Photo © Sportfot (Image credit: creditUnknown)

‘I’m delighted she hasn’t been sold!’

A mare who was brought in to be sold won the $226,000 CSIO4* grand prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Florida, under Irish rider Daniel Coyle.

Ivory TCS is a 10-year-old Falaise De Muze mare whom the 28-year-old rider owns with Ariel Grange’s Lothlorien Farm. She was bought at the 2020 WEF Sport Horse Auction as a seven-year-old, with the original plan to sell her. Instead, she has climbed the ranks with her rider, and grand prix victory at the weekend was secured after a four-way jump-off.

“I think I was beatable, but there wasn’t much of a gap, which was my plan,” said Daniel, who was drawn second of the quartet. “Ivory is a very fast horse in every jump-off. She might take two extra strides than a big horse, but that doesn’t mean she’s necessarily slower, because she does it so fast. I tried to use that today because there were no related distances – it was single fences, then turn back and gallop halfway across the track, so I tried to use the quickness that she naturally has to my advantage.

“She was bought to be sold and I’ve had a few people try her, but I have to say I’m delighted that she has not gone yet,” added Daniel, who was also awarded as the top money-earning Irish rider during CSIO week at WEF.

WEF grand prix results

Ten-time Olympian leads Nations Cup victory

Canada, led for the first time by 10-time Olympian chef d’equipe Ian Millar, won the CSIO4* Nations Cup at Wellington International. The quartet of Erynn Ballard (Gakhir), Mario Deslauriers (Emerson), Tiffany Foster (Hamilton) and Beth Underhill (Nikka VD Bisschop) fought off some fierce competition from the remaining 10 teams, with Brazil finishing second and Ireland in third, represented by David Blake (Claude), Cian O’Connor (Berlux Z), Shane Sweetnam (Namaste Van Het Eyckeveld) and Max Wachman (Kilkenny).

“I think we had great confidence and we really wanted to give it a good shot for a win, especially with our new leader, Ian Millar,” said Beth. “I think all of us together are friends and have been for many years, so there’s been this great synergy and strength among us.”

Irish chef d’equipe Michael Blake said: “We knew Canada had a strong team and I’d like to congratulate them on their performance. We had some very strong performances tonight and some unlucky faults. As always, I would like to thank the owners of our Irish team horses who make competing in Nations Cups and successes like tonight possible. And to our team sponsors – thank you.”

Great Britain’s Jessica Mendoza (OO Seven De L’Equipe), Sam Hutton (Verona 13), Grace Debney (Agadance Van’t Gelutt Z) and Amanda Derbyshire (Cornwall BH) took seventh.

WEF Nations Cup results

John Whitaker: ‘Tense and exciting – a great spectacle’

John Whitaker — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 10:32:19 +0000

John Whitaker shares his views on a showjumping format that breaks the mould

I was competing at the Prague Playoffs last week, where the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) season draws to a close with the Super Grand Prix and the GCL (Global Champions League) team series concludes with the Super Cup knockout tournament.

The whole weekend is a great spectacle, with big crowds packed into the O2 Arena and huge prize money. I rode there last year having qualified for the Super Grand Prix, but this was the first time I’d ridden in Prague as part of a GCL team in the Super Cup.

I have been on the Valkenswaard United squad this season and we’ve had our ups and downs, but the highlight undoubtedly was teaming up with Marcus Ehning to win in Hamburg.

The top four teams from the season standings automatically qualify straight through to Friday’s semi-finals, whereas the 12 lower ranked teams have to compete first in Thursday’s quarter-finals – so it’s a knockout tournament until you’re left with the top six teams battling it out in Sunday’s final.

Whereas throughout the season there are two riders in each team, it goes up to three riders in Prague and, with no discard score, every round has to count and each team’s riders jump consecutively – all of which makes it very tense and really exciting.

However, you can also see how easily it can all go wrong – in Thursday’s quarter-finals, the Cannes Stars team were eliminated after their second rider Jens Baackmann set off before the bell – something that is so easy to do, especially when it’s noisy. You don’t always hear the bell. So poor Sameh El Dahan, the team’s third rider, came all the way from Ireland to Prague and didn’t get to jump a single fence.

Excitement builds at knockout stages

Fortunately for Valkenswaard United – which consisted of Marcus, the reigning European champion André Thieme and myself, with Edwina Tops-Alexander supporting us from the sidelines – we finished high enough to qualify for Friday’s semi-finals which we then won. So that was a fantastic result, taking us through as one of the top six teams for Sunday’s Super Cup Final.

Interestingly, Ludger Beerbaum, who had qualified to jump in Saturday’s Super Grand Prix, withdrew and elected to save his top mare Mila for the Berlin Eagles in the GCL Super Cup Final the following day. He’s heavily invested in the team and all the riders are from his stables, so I think he figured it was more lucrative to go for the team competition and forfeit his place in Saturday’s class. Of course, it didn’t quite work out for him and the team finished fourth, but it’s a bit of a shame the two competitions are on consecutive days, so you need to have a very good second horse in order to contest both.

Daniel Deusser’s win in the Super Grand Prix with Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z was fantastic to watch. The format for the Super Grand Prix and Super Cup Final differs from what is usually seen in the sport – both are held over two full rounds, with the second round counting for time. It feels totally different riding a full course – 12 fences – against the clock. But it certainly makes it very interesting.

Next stop, London International

Equine America Unick Du Francport jumped exceptionally well on Sunday for a double clear – there were big jumps and difficult lines all weekend set by Uliano Vezzani. We finished second, just separated by the winners Miami Celtics on time, but it was very exciting as it all came down to the final rider of the evening.

I took the horses straight from Prague to the CSI4* in Stockholm and now we have a couple of weeks before the London International Horse Show, which is always one we look forward to. I can’t wait to be back.

● Do you enjoy a change to traditional showjumping classes? Let us know at hhletters@futurenet.com. Please include your name, nearest town and county for potential inclusion in the magazine.

This exclusive column will also be available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 1 December

The best kiss and cry reaction, Deusser’s sensational victory and a debut World Cup win

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 12:57:31 +0000

We enjoyed four days of world-class showjumping in Prague, Czech Republic, this week, with the 2022 Longines Global Champions Tour season drawing to a sensational close with the Super Grand Prix and Global Champions League (GCL) Super Cup team tournament providing a great spectacle. In Las Vegas, there was a milestone win for a young US rider and a podium Nations Cup finish for Ireland in Portugal. Here are just some of the highlights from the past week’s international showjumping action, plus showjumping results.

The best kiss and cry celebration

Miami Celtics came out top in a fierce battle for the GCL Super Cup at the Prague Playoffs, with jubilant supporters erupting on the kiss and cry (main image top) as 23-year-old Swiss rider Edouard Schmitz nailed their victory with a clear under immense pressure.

“My knees are still shaking,” said the Celtics’ under-25 rider, who rode Gamin Van’t Naastveldhof (pictured below). “When you go into the ring knowing you have to deliver a clear, it’s difficult but when you’re under pressure sometimes you perform better. You wish for days like this.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

His team-mates in Prague were Irish riders Bertram Allen on Pacino Amiro and Michael G Duffy riding Clitschko 17.

“To finish with a win is not something I think any of us expected,” said Michael. “We really fought hard all week and we have three amazing championship horses – we certainly wouldn’t be sitting here without them. My heart was in my mouth watching Edouard! I didn’t make his job the easiest [adding eight faults] but he got stuck in, he didn’t leave anything to chance and what a ride from him and Bertram.”

GCL Super Cup final standings

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Milestone success for Lillie Keenan

US rider Lillie Keenan, 26, won her first Longines FEI World Cup qualifier in Las Vegas riding the 11-year-old Dutch-bred stallion Agana Van Het Gerendal Z (pictured above). Victory came after a six-way jump-off where she beat the previous week’s Toronto winner Daniel Coyle, this time riding the nine-year-old Ivory TCS, by just 0.16sec.

“I’ve taught myself that when I go later [in the start order] to just walk my course, think about my plan and stick to it,” said Lillie. “I know Daniel’s really fast. I didn’t need to see him do it to know that I’d have to do everything I could to try to beat him.”

Conor Swail regained the lead in the North American League World Cup standings after his 11th-place finish.

Longines FEI World Cup of Las Vegas results

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Deusser is left speechless after LGCT Super Grand Prix success

THE curtain closed on the 2022 Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) with a resounding victory for German superstar Daniel Deusser and the quirky but supremely talented chestnut Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z in Saturday’s 1.65m LGCT Super Grand Prix at the Prague Playoffs in the Czech Republic.

“I’m speechless about how my horse performed tonight – I think he underestimated a bit the height of the fences but he really tried his heart out,” said Daniel, who took home a staggering top prize of just over €300,000 after the two-round competition.

LGCT Super Grand Prix results

Jessica Springsteen is the speed queen

At the ESP Pre-Charity CSI3* in Wellington, Florida, Jessica Springsteen (pictured above) triumphed in the $37,000 Elite Horse Transport 1.45m speed class riding Stone Hill Farm’s nine-year-old mare Naomi Van Het Keizershof (Cardento x For Pleasure), whom she’s had for three years.

“I think she is really special,” said Jessica. “She has taken a little bit more time but is super careful and is very competitive. I’m hoping to step her up and put her in a couple of the smaller grand prix classes this season.”

Elite Horse Transport 1.45m speed class results

(Image credit: Manue Macker)

Oakingham Stud achieves further international success

Winning the grand prix qualifier at the ESP Pre-Charity CSI3* show in Wellington, Florida, was US rider Alison Robitaille with the Oakingham Stud-produced mare Oakingham Lira (pictured above), now owned by Alison Firestone.

“My goal early last year was to be jumping the three-stars by the end of this year, so this is really great,” said the rider. “I’m just so happy with how my horse feels; we’ve been building our partnership all year long. After walking in today, we really feel like a team.”

Oakingham Stud owns Ben Maher’s championship medal-winning Faltic HB and Lira was produced by the stud’s Mackenzie Ray and Shane O’Reilly before going overseas, teaming up with her current rider at the start of this year.

CSI3* Wellington grand prix qualifier showjumping results

Swiss riders finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th in Italian grand prix

Remarkably, in the CSI2* grand prix in Gorla Minore, Italy, this week, the top five placings were filled by Swiss riders. The victor after an 18-strong jump-off was Pius Schwizer riding Cassalino, chased home by his team-mates Barbara Schnieper with Innok, Roger Umnus (Cupido), Jean-Maurice Brahier riding Caracoles, with Steve Guerdat in fifth on Hubba Bubba.

Gorla Minore CSI2* grand prix results

(Image credit: Manue Macker)

Eve Jobs’ ‘unbelievable’ stallion makes a winning comeback

Irish rider Darragh Kerrins landed the $137,000 NoltrexVet grand prix at the CSI3* show in Wellington, Florida, with the 11-year-old Holstein stallion Lissino, owned by Eve Jobs.

“I’ve been riding him on and off for the last two years,” said Darragh (pictured in action above). “He actually had a small injury around this time last year and pretty much missed the whole year. We started bringing him back to jumping at the end of August. He has come back feeling better than ever; he feels unbelievable.

“I didn’t know what to expect after watching everyone else go in the first round, but he gave me everything today, he’s an unbelievable horse,” said Darragh, one of only two riders from a field of 33 to jump clear in round one. “When I walked the course today, it definitely walked hard but I didn’t think it was going to turn out that difficult. The time allowed was a big issue and in the combination line you could either do a seven or an eight, so there were options everywhere.”

CSI3* grand prix results in Wellington, Florida

Nations Cup podium for Ireland

In the CSIO3* Nations Cup held at Villamoura Champions Tour, Portugal, France came out winners, chased home by USA and Ireland’s squad of Trevor Breen (Germaine W), David Simpson on Indian Quality Z, Alexander Butler with Coolivio PS and Richard Howley on Fame. Great Britain’s quartet finished 11th after narrowly missing the cut for round two. William Fletcher and Ginadina PP were among the CSI3* individual winners in this week’s competitions.

Villamoura Champions Tour results

‘One of my best wins ever – I’m speechless’: it’s fourth time lucky for Prague Super Grand Prix’s winning rider

Jennifer Donald — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 23:01:49 +0000

German showjumper Daniel Deusser added to an unforgettable year when winning the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) Prague Super Grand Prix at the Global Champions Playoffs in the Czech Republic, on Saturday night (19 November).

Riding the superstar 14-year-old stallion Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z, Daniel jumped the fastest of only two double clears from the 13 starters to take home the lion’s share of €1.25m in prize money in spectacular style in front of over 8,000 spectators in the vast Prague O2 Arena.

“I’m speechless about how my horse performed tonight – I think he underestimated a bit the height of the fences but he really tried his heart out,” said Daniel, the only rider to have qualified for every Super Grand Prix in the four years since its inception.

The German rider’s victory in Prague comes on the back of a phenomenal winning streak over the past year – he won the CP International presented by Rolex in Spruce Meadows in September and qualified for this event in Prague by winning the Cannes and New York legs of the LGCT, the Rolex Grand Prix at the Dutch Masters as well as some big wins in Florida at the start of the year.

The 14-year-old stallion took some time out earlier in the year but has returned better than ever.

“The performance from my horse was unbelievable,” said the Stephex Stables-based Daniel, whose groom Sean Lynch was awarded in the prize giving along with the other podium-winning grooms.

“He had a break and came back very strong. I know he is very handy in these small indoor arenas and he jumped here three years ago in the Super Grand Prix and the form he’s had in the past few weeks was why I chose to bring him here,” explained Daniel, currently ranked 12th in the world.

“I wasn’t expecting to win but I knew he had a chance. After the first round we said this is really big and maybe not jumpable but then we saw seven of the 13 riders jump without a fault, some just with time faults. But that shows how good the class was and how good the competitors were. At the end it was fantastic sport with two double clears and of course I’m delighted I was the fastest one.

“This is one of my best wins ever.”

Prague Super Grand Prix podium

Taking second in the Super Grand Prix with the only other double clear in this two-round competition was another German rider, 32-year-old Katrin Eckermann riding the very smart nine-year-old mare Cala Mandia, by Capistrano 2.

“My horse was unbelievable, he made it so easy for me,” said Katrin, who finished ahead of a rueful McLain Ward of USA in third.

McLain also jumped a double clear on the outstanding 16-year-old mare HH Azur, but added a crucial time-fault in round one, which he described as a “sloppy mistake”, underlining just how small the margins are in the sport these days.

“I just misjudged it slightly – I thought I was quick enough – but my horse is incredible,” reflected McLain. “I can’t be grateful enough for her.”

With late withdrawals from Ludger Beerbaum, who wished to save his great mare Mila for the following day’s GCL team Super Cup Final and Malin Baryard-Johnsson, whose mare H&M Indiana picked up an injury in the field in the run-up to the season finale, we were down to 13 contenders, all of whom had qualified at one of the 15 grands prix during the 2022 season of the LGCT.

Five of the 13 finished faultless in round one and Belgium’s Pieter Devos with his London LGCT winner, the barefoot and bootless Mom’s Toupie De La Roque, had come into round two in pole position. However a heartbreaking four faults at the curved plank in the second round dropped them to fourth, with Harrie Smolders also dropping to fifth after a four-fault round on Monaco NOP.

There were no British qualifiers for the 2022 running of the Prague Super Grand Prix, but Mikey Pender was best of the two Irish contenders, finishing seventh with one fence down in each round riding HHS Calais.

You can read the full report including insight and analysis from the Global Champions Playoffs in next week’s issue of Horse & Hound, in the shops 24 November.

Drama as top riders miss out on €6m final after ‘heartbreaking’ elimination

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 18:02:51 +0000

There was high drama at the Global Champions Tour (GCT) Prague Playoffs as one rider’s premature start meant “heartbreaking” elimination for his team.

The quarter-finals of the Global Champions League (GCL) Super Cup presented by Air Bank featured a stellar line-up of horses and riders trying to secure a place in the semi-finals.

Uliano Vezzani’s course proved a tough test for the Super Cup, with faults coming throughout, but it was the third team in, the Cannes Stars, whose route to the demi-final was cut short by a technicality. Jens Backmann, on Aglaia J, started before the bell went, which meant elimination for the team.

“The Playoffs is the last show of the year, the whole team was very excited to come here and disappointed for sure not to jump,” said Jens’ British teammate Sameh El Dahan. “I also feel for Jens. We were all really excited about this show, so for this to happen to him I think was a bit heartbreaking and a bit unfair. But that is sport and you have to live with the disappointment. It has been a bit the story with the Cannes Stars this year, a bit up and down, two podium finishes, but still a lot of downs and a lot of ups. We were hoping to finish on a high, but it’s not meant to be and what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

Sameh added that the excitement, the ups and downs and the lack of guarantees are part of what he loves about the sport.

“You can see that everybody has their horses well prepared and in the best form they can, then a small thing like this happens and all your dreams are shattered,” he said. “So it is a bit like this, and that is what I love about this sport – there are a lot of emotions and a lot of excitement, and we just have to live with the bad days as well as the good days. For myself I have a few good days to fall back on and keep motivated for the future.”

The Paris Panthers took the win, finishing on a total of four faults. Team member Ben Maher, who touched just one rail on his World Championships ride Faltic HB, said: “I think the team deserve a good result this week. I think it makes a difference this week and plays to our advantage with the format of three riders instead of two.”

Jack Whitaker jumped clear on Q Paravatti N to help secure his team Madrid in Motion’s place in the semi-finals, as did John Whitaker on Equine America Unick Du Francport, for Valkenswaard United.

The semi-final takes place this evening (18 November) and the final on Sunday.

An eye-catching stallion, a €300k jackpot, a historic hat-trick and a dream double for a “feisty” mare

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 21:30:19 +0000

The 2022 Longines Global Champions Tour reached its thrilling conclusion in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night (22 October) when Ben Maher smashed into the record books with a historic hat-trick, while 23-year-old Mikey Pender also stole the spotlight with a breathtaking grand prix performance. The Longines FEI World Cup jumping series rolled on to Helsinki, Finland, where Swedish rider Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli said her tactics for securing a big class double was just to “keep calm”. Meanwhile, in Portugal, one of our favourite stallions on the circuit, the eye-catching Ernie Of Greenhill Z, earned his first moment of grand prix glory under an expert ride from Guy Williams.

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

‘Ernie was due a win’

On the CSI3* Villamoura Champions Tour in Portugal, Guy Williams and the 10-year-old Emerald stallion Ernie Of Greenhill Z (main image above) landed Sunday’s grand prix after a thrilling six-way jump-off. Guy only took the reins on Ernie earlier this year and targeted this feature class on week two of this Tour, winning in impressive style from his countryman Adrian Speight riding Millfield Baloney.

“I was second to go and I just went as quick as I could and clear,” said Guy. “Adrian was just behind me then Piergiorgio Bucci [who finished third] was right behind him. The course-builder told me when I was walking the course that he was hoping for five or six clears, so he was spot on – it was a nice course and the time was all right. Luckily I was at the right end of the final six.”

Guy and Ernie, who is registered as bay but has very unusual white markings, jumped their first grand prix in June and this is the first time they’ve found the winning formula.

“He hadn’t done an awful lot when we found him, he’s come on a lot and he’s jumped clear in a few grands prix now, but he’s just been a bit unlucky really,” said Guy. “He was making a few silly mistakes but we’ve rectified that and he was due a win. I didn’t jump the first week as I thought I might be able to win on this second week and it all went to plan! Every other week here there’s a four-star prize fund for a three-star show, it’s really good.”

Guy also debuted the new nine-year-old mare Namika, jumping some lovely clears in the process.

“I’ve only had her a week so I don’t know too much about her yet, the owners have sent her to me and we’ll see how she goes,” said Guy, whose daughter Maisy is also in action at the show.

Villamoura Champions Tour showjumping results

Mikey Pender’s 300k jackpot

Mikey Pender, 23, landed his second grand prix of the Longines Global Champions Tour when beating his three jump-off rivals in Saudi Arabia, to win Saturday’s €900,000 (£782,000) Riyadh grand prix. Drawn third, Mikey and Marion Hughes’s huge striding Irish-bred HHS Calais (Cavalier Royale x Obos Quality 004) smashed the previous times set by Jur Vrieling (Long John Silver 3) and Harrie Smolders with Monaco NOP.

The 11-year-old gelding HHS Calais, expertly ridden by the young Irishman, flexed every muscle to clear the fences and they were just 0.01sec up on the clock at the split. They then pirouetted round the bends and executed a breathtaking twist over the vast final oxer to soar into top spot in a time of 35.78sec. The penultimate rider, Malin Baryard-Johnsson with H&M Indiana, rocketed round but faulted at a late oxer, leaving Mikey to collect the €300,000 top prize, following up on his previous victory in Valkenswaard.

“I can’t believe it, my horse jumped unbelievable,” said Mikey. “It’s emotional and I’d like to thank the team at home. Without them, days like this wouldn’t be possible.”

The top-placed British rider in Saturday night’s grand prix was Harry Charles (Borsato) in ninth after succumbing, like several combinations, to the middle part of the treble combination in round one. Even the world champions Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward showed a rare moment of vulnerability, coming home with 12 faults, while Shane Breen and Vistogrand suffered the agony of tipping the front rail of the final oxer in an otherwise foot-perfect performance to finish on four faults, just out of the money.

LGCT grand prix of Riyadh results

Ben Maher’s historic hat-trick: “He’s a real champion”

Great Britain’s Ben Maher announced he “couldn’t be prouder right now,” after becoming the first rider in Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) history to claim three championship titles.

The Hertfordshire rider collected four faults in round one of the feature class riding Oakingham Stud’s 12-year-old stallion Faltic HB (Baltic VDL x Concorde), the slightest error coming at the triple bar, three fences from home. But when his two key rivals, Pieter Devos with the barefoot mare Mom’s Toupie De La Roque and Christian Ahlmann on the mighty stallion Dominator 2000 Z, came home with eight faults apiece on Uliano Vezzani’s testing track, the 2022 LGCT title went to the seemingly invincible British rider.

“It’s been an incredible year,” said Ben, who was crowned LGCT champion of champions in 2018 and 2019 and until this weekend had stood alongside Scott Brash and Edwina Tops-Alexander as the only riders to have earned dual LGCT championships. “Faltic’s been an amazing horse – it’s the first year he’s come to this level and unfortunately we didn’t win a grand prix this year, but he’s been unbelievably consistent, with many top placings.”

Ben’s groom in Riyadh was Derrin Lake, and third-placed Christian paid tribute to the winning team: “Big congratulations to Ben, he’s a real champion, he has nothing to prove anymore and he claimed the most points over the season so he’s the deserved winner and the one to beat next season!”

LGCT of Riyadh results

Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2022/20223Western European League - Helsinki (FIN).Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli and Klink van de Nachtegeale won the World Cup-class and the day before she even won the Grand Prix, 160-jumping with same horse. Here groom Wilma Eklund was of course very happy she too.Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2022/2023 Western European League - Helsinki (FIN) (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“Dream” double for Swedish contender and “feisty” mare

Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli of Sweden scooped victory in the second leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup in Helsinki, Finland, riding the “feisty” 12-year-old mare Kalinka Van De Nachtegaele (pictured, above). This superb win came after the pair’s victory in the previous day’s CSI5* Defender Grand Trophy.

“I know my horse is super quick but I had to stay calm or she would get too excited,” said Angelica, who was drawn last in a 10-strong jump-off and received advice from her husband Marlon, who was also in action in the class. “I had my plan and went as fast as I could while keeping her under control and it worked.

“She’s very special, she’s very delicate and sensitive but when she enters the arena she wants to win. She’s been extra amazing over the last six months and I think her best years are still to come – she’s getting better all the time!”

Marlon added: “I’m so happy for Angelica, it’s a dream for us to be in the top sport together!”

Three members of the Whitaker family were in action in the qualifier – Robert, Donald and Jack, who finished ninth with four faults in the jump-off riding Equine America Valmy De La Lande. Donald also claimed a superb five-star win the previous day riding the 11-year-old mare Little Khira H.

Sixth-placed World Cup rider Victoria Gulliksen of Norway and Equine America Papa Roach now head the overall standings in Europe ahead of the third leg in Lyon, France, this Sunday.

Helsinki International Horse Show results

Express success for Burke

Irish rider Jessica Burke, who will be the guest on this week’s Horse & Hound Podcast, won the Masters at the CSI4* St. Lo, France, riding Express Trend. Liam Nicholas’s 12-year-old gelding remained faultless over the five rounds to claim the E3,000 top prize.

CSI4* St Lo showjumping results

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‘Di Lampard has made a tweak here and there’

Nicky’s transition to the show jumping arena has been made smoother as she’s had some “very good guidance” over the years from both Malcolm and her close neighbour, British team manager Di Lampard.

“I’ve known her all my life and she’s helped me with a tweak here and there,” she said. “I’ve had a message from both of them since winning!”

This year Nicky made her British team debut when she took Tango to Italy as part of the veteran European squad, returning home with a team silver medal.

“We were jumping in 40 degrees and he got heatstroke and I had Covid, although I didn’t know it at the time, we had two down in the final round which was uncharacteristic,” she said.

“He came back quite poorly and it’s taken six weeks to recover, although he’s back on fire now, he nearly smacked me off in the collecting ring!”

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