Latest from Horse & Hound in Joe-stockdale

Joe Stockdale shares a simple exercise for training your horse to stay straight over a fence

Martha Terry — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 08:00:06 +0000

In this exclusive article for H&H subscribers, top British showjumper Joe Stockdale demonstrates a simple exercise with poles that he uses to teach his horses the leg aid can mean stay straight, not just go faster

Does your horse have a tendency to drift right or left over a fence? It’s a common problem, particularly with inexperienced horses that are still working out how best to use their body.

Joe Stockdale is riding Millfield Counterfeit (Cooper) for this jumping exercise. Cooper is a 12-year-old by Cooper VD Heffinck who is competing up to 1.50m classes. While Joe is demonstrating this exercise on a relatively experienced horse, he describes it as especially useful for young horses in teaching them what the leg aids mean in terms of keeping straight.

The setup consists of three canter poles 3.2m apart to an upright. On the take-off and landing side of the fence are “tramline” poles, creating a channel through which the horse must travel. He starts with the tramlines set at about two human strides apart, making it a narrower channel depending on the rideability of the horse.

Joe uses lightweight square poles for the tramlines: “If he did happen to jump left or right and step on a pole, they stay flat, it stops them rolling, so it’s a lot safer than using a round pole, particularly on the landing side, where there’s a chance they might step on it.”

Showjumping training for straightness with Joe Stockdale

How to set up the exercise. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“This is a simple exercise, especially for a young horse, to teach them the aids to keep them straight,” says Joe. “They must take off and land without jumping to either side. Most horses tend to jump a little to one side, which doesn’t matter at this height, but once the jumps get big or wide it can be problematic.”

Joe starts with the planks at about 90cm high, popping through a few times so that the horse understands the exercise, before increasing the height. While Cooper stays straight through the set-up, he initially cuts the corner afterwards, so next time Joe asks for a couple of extra strides in a straight line before turning.

Both the canter poles and the tramlines serve a purpose in this exercise that encourages the horse to stay straight without rushing.

The role of the canter poles

“The canter poles are to help the rhythm, because I want to use the leg for support to keep the horse in the middle of the jump,” says Joe. “The poles prevent them from thinking that the leg only means go faster.

Joe approaches the fence in a good rhythm over the canter poles. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“The poles stop them opening the stride, so they learn I’m supporting them to keep straight – not asking them to open up.”

Joe adds: “The line of poles makes it hard to fail. If it was an isolated fence, with the tramlines, when I put my leg on to support his straightness, the temptation for the horse would be just to go faster. The canter poles contain them.”

The role of the tramlines

“First I jump it with the tramlines nice and wide, making sure he’s confident, then slowly bring in the channel so he has to be really disciplined to stay straight,” Joe says.

At the start of the exercise, the tramlines are set wide on the landing side, but can gradually be brought closer together. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

“Even though I have the tramlines to keep the horse straight visually, I’m giving instructions with my legs to back it up. The young horse will then learn what the aids mean. The answer’s there, I’m just showing him how to get there.”

Joe explains how his own position is paramount.

“I need to focus on my position, staying centred, tall and light. For straightness, the first thing that will make him go to one side is if I’m unbalanced, so my priority on the approach is to keep my body and head in the middle of the horse.”

The beauty of this exercise is in the mix of the two arrangements of poles.

“If I was to take this all away and put a load of right leg on to keep him from jumping right, that’s when he’d get quicker,” Joe explains. “But because we’ve got the canter poles and the tramlines, he’s naturally going to stay straight because he has to. On the approach to the tramline channel I’m going to give him the leg aid at the same time so he starts to associate my right leg with not jumping to the right, but staying straight instead.

“So it’s like I’m giving him the answer to the problem, and then showing the aid that I want to use.”

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What a squad! Medal-winning veterans and rising stars feature on British showjumping World Championship shortlist

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:00:40 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The British showjumping shortlist Aachen 2026:

Scott Brash with 11-year-old mare Hello Folie

Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham

Breeder: Claire Gouin

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

Scott Brash with 17-year-old gelding Hello Jefferson

Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham

Breeder: Bernard Mols

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

Scott Brash with 11-year-old mare Hello Mango

Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham

Breeder: HPH Vaessen

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

Harry Charles with 12-year-old mare Holst Freda

Owners: Eve Jobs and rider

Breeder: E Mackintosh

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

Sienna Charles with 12-year-old stallion Chawton

Owner: Peter Charles

Breeder: Peter Charles

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

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

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

Breeder: Werner Dierckx

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

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

Owner: Mandy Hall

Breeder: F van de Linden

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

Ben Maher with 14-year-old gelding Catelly

Owners: Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright

Breeder: H. Wulf-Hinrich

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

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

Owners: Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright

Breeder: H. Elevage de Grisien SCEA

Breeding: By Toulon, out of a mare by Andiamo

Ben Maher with 12-year-old stallion Point Break

Owners: Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright

Breeder: Nya Äppelvikens Ridskola AB

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

Jessica Mendoza with 11-year-old gelding Summerhouse

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

Breeder: C Den Boer

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

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

Owner: Maplepark Farm

Breeder: Finca Horses BV

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

Joe Stockdale with 12-year-old stallion Ebanking

Owners: Barbara Hester and Laura Stockdale

Breeder: E Vriend

Breeding: By Etoulon, out of a mare by Aranebel

Jack Whitaker with 12-year-old stallion Jack JL

Owner: Candice Reilly

Breeder: JE Lammerts-Weide

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

Adrian Whiteway with 13-year-old stallion Chacco Volo

Owner: Deborah Cox

Breeder: Gestut Lewitz

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

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

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Medal-winning star back ‘better than before’ to win after long break for minor injury – and ‘loving it’

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 06:25:07 +0000

Joe Stockdale’s medal-winning superstar Cacharel is back to her best after injury and a long holiday – and feeling better than ever.

Joe and the 15-year-old mare, owned by Joy Cocklin and Joe’s mother Laura Stockdale, won the 1.55m gold tour grand prix in Arezzo, Italy, on 5 April, the first time she had stepped back up to this level for 18 months.

“I think she’s better than before,” Joe told H&H. “Maybe it was having the break but she’s come back like the best she’s been; full on, ears pricked everywhere, she’s loving it. It was really nice.”

Joe and Cacharel were on the British team that won bronze at the 2022 World Championships, earning Britain a place at the Paris Olympics, and were the alternate combination for the Games. They were also on the team for the 2024 Nations Cup Final, after which Joe felt something was slightly amiss.

Vets investigated and found a minor injury.

“We said we’d give her as much time as it took, no pressure to bring her back,” Joe said, adding that the mare jumped a few small classes late last year, and he decided not to take her to the UAE early this year to let her come back in her own time.

“Last week, I wanted her to jump her first big class and properly have a go,” he said. “It was nice the plan worked out.

“I always said she doesn’t owe me anything and if this year she starts to feel she doesn’t want to do it, I won’t pressure her, but it’s so nice to have her back doing what she really enjoys.”

Cacharel looked back to her brilliant best at the weekend, and Joe said he would “have to have my eye on Aachen with her”.

“That’s something I would love to do, and a big goal for me,” he said. “She feels good and up for it; I definitely want to do that with her. We’re taking each step and I don’t think she’s felt this good in the last five years. Play it by ear but at the moment she feels amazing and on track for that.”

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

Top showjumper Joe Stockdale reveals how he turns pressure into record-breaking form

Martha Terry — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:05:27 +0000

Joe Stockdale talks about mental toughness and how he has developed his mindset in this exclusive article for H&H subscribers

Winning a six-bar or a puissance requires an ice-cool temperament. The pressure ramps up as the field whittles down to the final contenders for the prize. When British showjumper Joe Stockdale cleared 2.13m on Its Confidential (Rolo) at Spruce Meadows, he not only won, but set a new six-bar record (joint with Czech rider Vaclav Stanek).

But the mark of a great rider is how they respond to that pressure, and in Joe’s case it was very much “bring it on”. He had meant to jump only a couple of rounds, but as Its Confidential was jumping so well, he decided to go for the win.

“I got a bit excited, he kept jumping better and better, and I ended up going all the way,” says Joe. “I wasn’t going to pull out once it was a two-horse race.

“When I went in and showed Rolo the fence, that made me nervous. It doesn’t even look like a jump when it’s that big. But Rolo is so brave; he didn’t blink an eye.”

But Joe recognises that thriving under pressure is a symptom of being on form.

“That’s when you know you’re confident, because you’re not thinking of what could go wrong,” he says. “Pressure is a nice thing to be a part of. If you’re under pressure, it comes down to being the last person to jump and having to go clear. That’s what you dream of – and pulling it off.”

“Pressure is a nice thing to be a part of,” says Joe – it shows you’ve put yourself in a winning position. (Image credit: Alamy)

Joe explains that this kind of good pressure is a result of the hard work that’s delivered you to a winning position – and that readiness is something you can lean into.

“When you’re feeling under pressure, you have to think about the preparation, the work you’ve done to get to this point,” he says. “The horse is ready, you’re ready, you’ve ticked every box and you’re in the best position you can be in at the time. Obviously it’s a worry if you’re not well prepared, but if this is your big goal, you’ve trained to be ready for this moment and you try to do the best you can.”

Dealing with pressure when the results aren’t coming

But pressure can exert negative forces in showjumping. The pressure of the winning round might be a privilege, but there are other times when the burden of just keeping your head above water in a highly emotive sport can weigh heavily.

“Mentally the sport is very difficult, there are lots of ups and downs,” says Joe Stockdale. “Any sport is tough, but ours is particularly tough. We have massive highs and then have big troughs, lows when things aren’t working out.

“It’s very difficult to deal with. You feel under pressure, because you want to do well, and the people around you want you to do well and they’re part of that team.”

Joe’s tools for diffusing that pressure when the rosettes aren’t coming is to remember what motivates him in the first place.

“I just try to find what I enjoy about it,” he says. “I enjoy being with the horses, I enjoy working with them day to day trying to improve them, even if it’s a little a time. It’s taking it step by step, a day at a time, keep turning up and doing what you can. Hopefully, eventually you get the result you deserve but it might take time.

“When times are tough, I try to find what I enjoy about it – I enjoy being with the horses and working with them day to day,” says Joe. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

“I’m lucky to have a great team of people around, who’ve been with me a long time and we’re all working towards the same goal. They understand that if it’s not going well, I’m still trying my best and vice versa, they’re giving 100%. That’s all you can ask for and hopefully the results come.”

If he has a horse that loses confidence in a show environment, Joe immediately works to build back the trust.

“The best thing is to slow things down, drop down in height to take the pressure off yourself and the horse, and make it easier for everyone,” he says. “Then get them confident before you go up the levels again, not rushing to go to bigger shows. Take it in the horse’s time, so that only when they’re ready can you pull the trigger and move up.”

How Joe Stockdale developed his mindset

In terms of mindset, Joe Stockdale has various mentors that have shaped him into the rider he is today, but the main drive has been his work ethic.

“There’s not one piece of advice I’ve been given that’s made the difference but there are a lot of people in the sport and around me I look up to,” he says. “My dad [Tim Stockdale] was one: very hardworking, very determined, worked extremely hard to get to where he wanted to. That’s something I think about every day.

“When I’m struggling or finding it difficult he’d be giving me a rollicking, telling me to buck my ideas up and get stuck in and get on with it!”

William Funnell is another.

“William’s a mentor and a very good friend,” Joe says. “He’s got the biggest breeding operation in the UK, a massive set-up with so many things going on at once, and he’s run that and gone to the top of the sport. I look up to him and his work ethic at lot. These are the things that inspire me and keep me going every day.”

As for the little hacks that help him along the way? Don’t mention Lady Luck.

“I was always told you’re not allowed superstitions,” Joe says. “My dad always said that then you have an excuse when things go wrong. I once had a lucky set of cricket gloves I always used to bat in, and Dad told me it was nonsense, because one day I’d forget them and it wouldn’t go well and I’d say it wasn’t my fault because I didn’t have my lucky gloves.

“So I have no superstitions but I have my routine and I stick to that. I’ve got a system, and I try not to rely on luck, though I could do with a bit every now and then!”

Enjoyed reading this? For more expert training advice from top riders and coaches, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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‘My job is to challenge the horse but never overstep the mark’: Joe Stockdale on what a good training session should look like

Martha Terry — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 08:35:31 +0000

How does a top rider warm their horse up? What do they consider a good workout – and how do they wrap up? Joe Stockdale outlines his system for an everyday exercise session in this exclusive article for H&H subscribers

For all the trophies and laps of honour, every top rider’s success is rooted in the daily grind at home. Joe Stockdale outlines his everyday training routine, from the details of the warm-up through what he wants to achieve in a session, to rounding off with a relaxed pick of grass as a reward at the end.

“I have a checklist to tick off when I’m warming up,” says Joe. “Essentially to jump a course, all we need is to move forward, back, turn left and right.

“If I touch the horse with my leg, does he open up his stride? If I stay tall, think ‘slow’, does the horse come back without me having to pull hard on the reins? Through the turns, are they staying through to the outside rein both ways?

“Once I’ve got these four things, it’s just a case of warming up the body and getting the horse’s mind on the job, asking questions so they’re listening to me rather than worrying what might jump out of the bush. It also keeps me active, rather than going through the motions trotting circles.”

Joe has a checklist for his warm-up routine to ensure he’s not just going through the motions. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Joe tends to focus on a specific exercise for each horse he is riding. For example, he might work one horse through a set-up to improve their discipline and straightness, using canter poles and tramlines, while another horse may be put through their paces on accuracy, jumping single fences on angles and landing on different leads.

“A good session is when we’re both in sync and comfortable with what we’re doing, but it depends on the day – how they’re feeling and how I’m riding,” Joe explains.

“My job is to challenge the horse, but not ask questions they can’t answer – entertaining them but not overstepping the mark.

“Sometimes I can step up the challenge, other times less is more; I might ask something simpler, they get it right first time, I give them a pat and take them for a hack round the field.

“You have to do what’s best for the horse, not what you want to do, and always be in a good frame of mind yourself, relaxed and not trying to rush them. You wouldn’t expect a five-year-old to jump round a course with no mistakes in perfect balance.

“Marginal gains every day is what I’m aiming for; there’s no pressure and with horses you have to be patient.

“I don’t jump big at home,” he adds. “For instance, my stallion Ebanking [who competes up to 1.60m classes] might jump once in between shows over about 1.10m at home, and then I’ll hire a course at 1.30m. It’s just about keeping the muscles active, rather than the height.”

Joe Stockdale on the benefits of variety in training

Training on a variety of surfaces is one tool Joe believes helps prevent injuries.

“Not only is it boring for me to go round in circles in the school every day, but I’m thinking about the horses’ minds and bodies,” he says. “All those little ligaments that are to do with the foot rolling and moving in a different fashion, like they might do in a jump-off turn, benefit from working on different surfaces.

“I like to work in my grass field, where there is a bit of undulation; I have a dirt track around and up a hill so they can do a bit of hillwork and fitness, and a surfaced gallop as well as the arenas. So that’s four different surfaces to give the horses a nice variety during the week.

Working on a variety of surfaces is a priority for Joe Stockdale – for the sake of preventing injury and keeping horses enthused. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

“Mentally, too, it keeps them fresh and happy to have a change of scenery every day. They really enjoy going up the hill, having a blow with a bit more speed. Lots of variety helps them in their everyday work.”

How Joe finishes a training session

Whatever type of exercise has been on the agenda, Joe has a routine to finish off.

“If I’ve worked them in the school, usually I’ll jog off for two minutes, to let them catch their breath, have a stretch and get their head down,” he says. “So they have a reward at the end of their work, and a relaxing jog.”

Once he’s finished in the school, Joe rides out to his jumping field, which is dotted with Derby-style fences. He likes his horses to put their heads down to have a pick at the grass, or lets them graze off the man-made bank.

“I like to come out to my field, especially if it’s not too wet, and hack around for a couple of laps, which also means they can have a nice snack of grass before they go back to the stable,” he says. “I like to them to have a little stretch and a graze as a reward for their work.”

A bite to eat: after work, Joe’s horses are allowed a quick graze as a reward. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Joe remembers the first time he brought Ebanking out here.

“He jumped on to the bank and then couldn’t work out how to get down!” Joe laughs. “I had to leave him there and go and get a lunge line, but he didn’t like me leading him off either, so I got back on and he eventually got it.”

Joe describes this routine as “short-term care” after low-key exercise at home. For those returning from competition, they have three sets of ice wraps to cool the legs repeatedly.

“It’s also about keeping an eye,” he emphasises. “As the horses are groomed every day, they get a full checkover top to bottom, making sure everything is as it should be, no lumps, bumps or swelling anywhere. We are covering all the bases as well as all our physio and veterinary side of things, it’s the everyday things that help them stay on the road and be as happy and comfortable as they can be.”

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Great Britain fields youthful team as LLN showjumping resumes: ‘Come and cheer for the future stars of our lovely sport!’

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 17:07:33 +0000

The Longines League of Nations (LLN) 2026 begins on Friday (13 February) with the first leg taking place in Abu Dhabi in the UAE.

Ten qualified teams, plus host nation UAE, line up for the first of four qualifying events for the LLN Final in Barcelona in October, so which horses and riders are we going to see in action this week? The answer is an exciting mix of Olympic veterans and rising stars and we can’t wait for the LLN team action to resume.

Here are the shortlisted runners and riders for the first leg of the Longines League of Nations.

Longines League of Nations: rising stars to Olympic veterans among key contenders

With a prize fund of €700,000 on offer at each LLN qualifying event and a further €1,600,000 up for grabs in the Final in Barcelona, it’s no surprise to see an A-list field in action in Abu Dhabi this week. Here are the teams announced for Friday’s two-round Longines League of Nations. All four riders from each country will contest round one, with only the top eight teams progressing to round two, where just three of the four athletes will be picked to jump again, without the luxury of a drop score.

Great Britain

A “youthful quartet” is how Great Britain’s team is described, with Joe Stockdale (Ebanking), Jack Whitaker (Jack JL) and LLN debutant Sandy McLean (Calixte Heartbreaker Z) lining up alongside team stalwart Tim Gredley (Medoc de Toxandria). The nation arrives in Abu Dhabi as reigning champions, having won the Final in Barcelona last year.

“We’d certainly love to retain that Longines trophy this year, and will be giving it our all to top the podium in Barcelona come October,” says chef d’equipe Di Lampard. “I’d like to think we’ll start the year a bit stronger than in past years and have strong hopes for a podium finish in Abu Dhabi or Ocala to get some good points in the first half of the season.

“Arriving at Rotterdam with extra pressure to get points last year wasn’t ideal but we were fortunate and secured our spot for Barcelona before the St Tropez leg,” she continues. “I learned by watching my fellow chefs who had to wait until Saint Tropez to see if they qualified for the Final. As chef d’equipe, competing for your country means everything – it’s why I do it. To be able to select a team to represent King and country gives me huge pride and I’m honoured to do it.”

Trevor Breen and Highland President soar over the water jump in the Longines League of Nations LLN of Abu Dhabi in 2025, helping Ireland to victory. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Ireland

Winners in Abu Dhabi last year , Ireland now has new jumping manager Jessica Kürten in the driving seat. The green jackets will be sported by Mikey Pender (HHS Los Angeles), 21-year-old debutante Niamh McEvoy (Olympic ‘GL’ ‘FVD’) and brothers Shane (BP Arctic Blue) and Trevor Breen (Highland President).

“The Longines League of Nations is a prestigious series as only the best 10 teams in the world can participate,” says Jessica. “I particularly like the fact that it goes on the rankings of the athletes, including one under-25 athlete. The format of the competition makes it very dynamic and exciting for fans who are watching – and quite nerve-racking for those involved! But I’m very much looking forward to Team Ireland’s campaign this year.

“Ireland is a country known for its affinity with horses. Many of our Irish athletes have spent time riding horses since they were very young, have a very natural way with the horse and how they ride them. This partnership and bond is always an advantage to them, especially when in competition environments where we must make big ‘asks’ of our partners.”

Belgium

The reigning European champions are represented by Rik Hemeryck, Jos Verlooy, Wilm Vermeir and Annelies Vorsselmans, with team manager Peter Weinberg at the helm.

“Ambition and consistency are built on the same foundation: trust and team spirit,” says Peter. “We encourage athletes to be ambitious, but always within a collective framework where the team result comes first.

“Clear expectations, mutual support and confidence in one another allow athletes to perform at their best while maintaining the reliability that is essential in team competitions. For Belgium’s Red Musketeers, success has always come from riding with the team, not just for individual results.”

Structure and reliability: core principles in LLN

USA

It’s all about girl power for Team USA in Abu Dhabi, with Natalie Dean, Callie Schott, Sarah Segal and Skylar Wireman having been picked by chef d’equipe Robert Ridland.

“The opportunity to view and access top international sport is hugely motivating to inspire the next generation of athletes, and we have seen that firsthand with the Longines League of Nations leg in Ocala,” he says. “For our younger athletes, my advice would be to take advantage of every opportunity to watch and learn from these types of events. Watch the warm-up, the horsemanship, the course walks, how athletes work with their teams – it all builds towards the bigger picture of being capable of putting the pieces together on these stages in the most important moments.”

Germany

The inaugural winners in 2024 are back in force with Marco Kutscher, Daniel Deusser, Sophie Hinners and Jörne Sprehe.

“Structure and reliability remain core principles of our approach,” says chef d’equipe Otto Becker. “At the same time, the sport continues to evolve. We respond by regularly reviewing and refining our processes, including season planning, performance analysis and communication within the team. The aim is to preserve proven strengths while integrating new ideas where they add value.”

Simon Delestre and Cayman Jolly Jumper in action during the LLN Final in Barcelona. (Image credit: Richard Juilliart)

France

More top names line up for France with Simon Delestre, Antoine Ermann, Olivier Perreau and Jeanne Sadran picked for the season opener in Abu Dhabi.

Chef d’equipe Édouard Coupérie says: “With the Olympic Games approaching, where teams are made up of three pairs, it is essential to be able to adapt to this format.

“LLN is a highly competitive circuit, where results throughout the year and in the Final are a goal for every country – France will need to perform better in the 2026 final!”

Netherlands

Chef d’equipe Wout-Jan van der Schans has selected Kim Emmen, Frank Schuttert, Leopold van Asten and Jur Vrieling to don the orange jackets in the first leg of the LLN.

“Fortunately we have many, many good athletes, and also quite a few relatively young horses coming up to complement the seasoned professionals,” says the country’s newly appointed high performance director Laurens van Lieren. “This, of course, is the long-term plan for ongoing national development and performance excellence. So we expect to have a good group of combinations to select from, which makes us very hopeful for this season.

“We are incredibly grateful to have our athletes consistently at this global podium, showcasing their skills and talents to an ever-growing global audience. We look forward to the development of our athletes and horses throughout this season, and we invite everybody to come and cheer for the (future) stars of our lovely sport!”

Switzerland

After a disappointing 2025, we see some new names lining up for round one with LLN debutant Jason Smith, Romain Duguet, Gaëtan Joliat and Barbara Schnieper.

“Looking ahead to 2026, the focus will be on further strengthening our leading athletes so we can be competitive both in the Longines League of Nations and at the Longines FEI Jumping World Championship in Aachen,” says Swiss chef Peter van der Waaij. “The biggest progress has been made in developing the next generation, and I am convinced we will benefit from this approach in the coming years.”

Italy

Returning for its second Longines League of Nations season, Italy is set to be represented in Abu Dhabi by team veteran Piergiorgio Bucci, Giacomo Casadei, Paulo Paini and Clara Pezzoli.

“Our goal is to maintain a strong level of competitiveness in order to continue participating in the Longines League of Nations, because this circuit provides an excellent opportunity to compete in five-star events, which are not always accessible for our athletes,” says Italian team selector, Stefano Cesaretto.

Brazil

The experienced duo of Luciana Diniz and Pedro Junqueira Muylaert are joined by first-timers João Victor Castro Aguiar Gomes de Lima and Luiz Felipe Neto de Azevedo.

“Balancing experienced athletes with emerging talent is a central pillar of Brazil’s long-term strategy,” explains chef d’equipe Pedro Paulo. “While senior riders provide stability and leadership, younger athletes are progressively integrated into the high-performance environment.

“The Brazilian team is known for valuing a relaxed yet focused atmosphere. One informal tradition is the selection of a song for each event, chosen by the riders to represent that particular competition. That song often becomes part of the team’s routine, played while preparing in the stables. It helps create unity, reinforce team spirit, and maintain a positive mindset throughout the event, offering a small glimpse into the team’s culture behind the scenes.”

UAE

Chef d’equipe William Funnell leads the host nation’s three riders in Abu Dhabi, hoping to build on their tremendous second place finish of last year. Representing the UAE are Abdullah Mohd Al Marri, Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi and Humaid Abdulla Khalifa Al Muhairi.

After Abu Dhabi, the LLN series moves to Ocala in USA, then Rotterdam in the Netherlands and finally St Tropez-Gassin in France before concluding in Barcelona, Spain.

You can follow all the Longines League of Nations action with Horse & Hound, with H&H showjumping editor Jennifer Donald bringing you all the news from Abu Dhabi this week.

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Joe Stockdale lands his first ever five-star grand prix: ‘I’m chuffed to bits’

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 16:36:08 +0000

In a monumental day for British showjumper Joe Stockdale, the 26-year-old landed a milestone first five-star grand prix, yesterday (11 January) in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Joe partnered the 12-year-old stallion Ebanking, owned by his mother Laura Stockdale and Barbara Hester, to victory in the feature class, the President’s Cup presented by Longines.

“I’m chuffed to bits,” said Joe.

Joe Stockdale on Ebanking: “He’s really been due a result”

Five high-calibre combinations lined up for the jump-off, but Joe triumphed as the sole double clear, “Ebay” delivering a typically solid performance over the 1.60m track.

“He’s feeling great and he’s been in really good form for a while now,” said Joe. “He’s really been due a result actually. He’s been very unlucky in the last few rounds and just not had the rub of the green. So it’s great to get the result, he’s deserved that for a while.

“I had two riders to come after me in the jump-off and I knew David Will [riding Xixo Borgia] was always going to be very quick. It was a tough jump-off because the line that jumped the worst in the first round was also in it – there was a vertical with a water tray underneath it, which I think about half the class had had down. So it was a real bogey fence and I knew there wasn’t going to be loads of clears second time around.

“So I tried to play the middle ground of being trim and fast and not leaving too much out there so it was easy for the two riders behind me. I took a couple of risks, but not as risky as if I was just going for the time.”

Joe has three horses in the UAE for the tour and picked up some good results with Laska JDV, including a second-place finish in the opening day’s speed class.

“Both horses had a really good weekend,” he said of Laska and Ebanking.

In a weekend packed full of British celebrations, Scott Brash also landed a grand prix double, just across the Persian Gulf in Doha, Qatar.

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‘I love my horses to go out and have time to themselves – it’s natural and they’re happier’: showjumper Joe Stockdale on the importance of daily turnout

Martha Terry — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 08:25:28 +0000

A showjumper’s life is a busy one on the circuit, but when it comes to his horses’ home routine, Joe Stockdale is a stickler for turnout and plenty of downtime outside their boxes.

All Joe’s horses are turned out daily.

“We’ve got paddocks and stallion pens, so we can turn 11 out at once,” says Joe. “The paddocks are designed so they can enjoy the grass, but not get too much speed up.

There are plenty of paddocks at Joe Stockdale’s yard so that all his horses can enjoy daily turnout. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

“I love them going out – it’s natural, they really enjoy it, getting their heads down and having some time to themselves. They’re happier and easier for me to ride.”

He gives the example of 11-year-old stallion Its Confidential – with whom he broke the six-bar record at Spruce Meadows this year – who can be a firecracker.

“I like his sharpness because it gives him his power, but you need to keep his mind busy and whether at home or a show, he needs to be out of his box a lot,” Joe explains.

“I’ll often turn him out for an hour first thing while I ride the others – he’ll have a buck, a chill in the sunshine and then he’s much better to ride. In the summer, they’re out as much as possible but even if it’s drizzly we turn out, with waterproof rugs. But my top horse Cacharel will stand with her head out of the stable in the pouring rain, so no one can argue it’s cruel being out in the wet!”

The walker and water treadmill are in action in the afternoons.

“It’s another tool to get their blood and bodies moving, especially if there’s any lactic acid build-up,” Joe says.

“In winter, we also turn them out in the indoor school, so they can have a run-around, a squeal and a buck and not have us bothering them for a bit. They’ll roll in the sand and get themselves filthy – I’m not sure the grooms love it quite as much!”

‘My horses are so friendly, they’ll lick you to death!’

Joe with the stallion Ebanking. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

From Joe’s perspective, the more time he spends with his horses, the better he knows and understands them. He is very hands-on, in the stables, giving treats and ensuring his horses have plenty of variety during the day.

“It’s important to me they have their heads out of their stables and they’re friendly, I don’t like them standing at the back,” says Joe. “It’s a quiet yard and they’re all a bit spoilt, they’ll lick you to death.

“They have a lot of interaction with us – I might only be on them for 40 minutes to an hour, but they’re always doing something: turnout, being groomed, having massage rugs on, leg icing, going on the water treadmill – they’re not in their boxes a lot.

“Earning a horse’s trust comes down to how much time you spend with them. Not just riding them, but just being around them – some might need bribing with carrots to start with!”

Keeping the herd mentality without separation anxiety

On the yard, Joe is careful not to pair horses up directly. He rotates which horses are in paddocks next door to each other to avoid inseparable bonds, which can cause problems for them down the line.

“It feels like a nice idea, but we try not to pair them one on one as it can be problematic as they can get too attached to each other and then when one needs to leave for a show, it’s difficult for them,” he explains.

“We try to have variation so they’re not always turned out next to the same horse, so they don’t have a strong attachment. However, we do have a herd mentality in the stables as they look out on to each other and they all have mirrors.”

Mirrors are recommended as a boredom buster for horses and are a way to enrich their time spent in stables.

“I like my horses to be friendly, with their heads out of the stables,” says Joe. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Mares and stallions co-exist on the same yard, with the likes of Cacharel and his upcoming star Do It Rollebeek – two mares – residing in the same three-sided stable courtyard-style stable block as the stallions and geldings.

“We’ll make sure they’re not next door to each other in direct contact, but we’re lucky all our stallions are quite level-headed,” he says.

Enjoy the full article following Joe Stockdale and his horses behind the scenes in this week’s magazine (on sale from Thursday 20 November).

For more exclusive interviews sharing top riders’ insight from across the disciplines, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Great Britain wins Spruce Meadows Nations Cup for first time in 30 years: ‘The spirit of this team is second to none’

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 06:49:12 +0000

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

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

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

The winning Great Britain Nations Cup showjumping team with chef d’equipe Di Lampard. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

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

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

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

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

The brilliant Millfield Colette earns kisses from Donald Whitaker after jumping double clear for Great Britain in the BMO Nations Cup at Spruce Meadows, Canada. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

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

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

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Joe Stockdale smashes high jump record following in his late father’s footsteps: ‘One I won’t forget’

Jennifer Donald — Sat, 06 Sep 2025 08:53:32 +0000

In a poignant evening at the Spruce Meadows Masters, Canada, British showjumper Joe Stockdale followed in the footsteps of his late father Tim Stockdale when winning the ATCO Electric Six Bar competition.

Under the lights on Friday night (5 September), the 25-year-old rider and 11-year-old gelding It’s Confidential soared over a towering final fence set at 2.13m (more than 6ft 11in) to share the spoils with Czech rider Vaclav Stanek riding Quintin.

This was Joe’s first time competing at the Calgary venue; the last time he visited Spruce Meadows was to watch his dad Tim and Fresh Direct K2 clearing 2.03m to win the same world famous high-jump class in 2011.

Joe and Vaclav also made history as they smashed Spruce Meadows’ six-bar record of 2.12m, which was set by Jessica Kurten of Ireland riding Castle Forbes Libertina in 2004.

“Breaking the six bar record at Spruce Meadows and winning the same class as my dad here in Calgary is one I won’t forget,” said Joe Stockdale. “It’s Confidential cleared 2.13m to break the 21-year-old record – a very special night here in Canada.”

Vaclav Stanek and Quintin also clear 2.13m to share the spoils with Joe Stockdale in the ATCO Electric Six Bar at Spruce Meadows, Canada. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Joe Stockdale versus Vaclav Stanek in final round

A field of 12 lined up for this year’s ATCO Electric Six Bar, with each fence raised in height after each round. Seven combinations made it through to the fourth round where Joe, Vaclav and Daniel Deusser (Pepita Van’t Meulenof BR) again jumped clear.

When the German rider elected to withdraw before jumping the final set of four fences, it came down to a duel between Great Britain’s Joe and 30-year-old Vaclav riding 15-year-old Quintin.

Celebrations erupted after both combinations displayed immense skill and bravery to clear the towering line of fences once more, much to the delight of the packed grandstands on this, Spruce Meadows’ 50th anniversary.

Joe punched the air in delight after touching down on It’s Confidential (Conthargos x VDL Cardento 933), who is owned by Ben Carus. This was only their second six bar competition together, having finished third in Falsterbo recently.

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Olympic heroes and rising stars named as first European entries list confirmed

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 16:21:35 +0000

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

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

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

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

British European Showjumping Championships team, nominated entries

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

Scott Brash with 10-year-old Hello Mango

Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham

Breeder: H P H Vaessen

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

Scott Brash with 10-year-old Hello Folie

Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham

Breeder: Claire Gouin

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

Ben Maher with 12-year-old Dallas Vegas Batilly

Owners: Charlotte Rossetter, Pamela Wright and rider

Breeder: Jean Claude Viollet

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

Ben Maher with 11-year-old Enjeu de Grisien

Owners: Charlotte Rossetter, Pamela Wright and rider

Breeder: Elevage de Grisien

Breeding: by Toulon, out of a mare by Andiamo

Ben Maher with 11-year-old Point Break

Owners: Charlotte Rossetter, Pamela Wright and rider

Breeder: Nya Äppelvikens Ridskola

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

Jessica Mendoza with 12-year-old In The Air

Owner: rider

Breeder: C Den Boer

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

Matthew Sampson with 13-year-old Medoc De Toxandria

Owners: Rachel Gredley, William Gredley and Unex Competition Yard

Breeder: Werner Dierckx

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

Joseph Stockdale with 11-year-old Ebanking

Owners: Barbara Hester and Joe’s mother Laura Stockdale

Breeder: V Vriend

Breeding: by Etoulon, out of a mare by Aranebel

Donald Whitaker with 12-year-old Millfield Colette

Owners: Reitsportanlage Dagobertshausen GmbH and rider

Breeder: Sue Jaggar

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

Robert Whitaker with 12-year-old Vermento

Owners: Caroline and Brian Stephen Blatchford

Breeders: John and Clare Whitaker

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

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

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

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

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Whitaker and Stockdale switch saddles ahead of Royal Windsor’s exhibition polo match

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 13:11:51 +0000

Top showjumpers set themselves a new goal last week as they tried their hands at polo.

In the run-up to Royal Windsor Horse Show (15-18 May), Joe Stockdale and Jack Whitaker picked up sticks to take part in a competitive chukka.

Guards Polo Club instructors Ebe Sievwright and Jack Hyde coached the showjumpers, both ambassadors for the show, which again this year will feature an international exhibition polo match between Guards and the Azerbaijan team.

“The duo participated in an exclusive arena polo session, experiencing first-hand the pace, precision, and teamwork that make the sport so electrifying,” a spokesperson for Royal Windsor said, adding that the exhibition match will be a “thrilling contest” for spectators.

“As the smaller dimensions of the arena format of polo demand fast play and sharp strategy, the match offers a spectacular showcase of the sport – set against the spectacular backdrop of Windsor Castle.”

Picture by Royal Windsor Horse Show/Peter Nixon (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Joe’s team won the chukka three goals to one, after which the riders quaffed a glass of the show’s official champagne, Pol Roger, at country hotel Coworth Park.

“Arena polo is so different to showjumping, but the speed and intensity of it is incredible – I did not expect to enjoy it this much!” said Joe.

Jack agreed that it is a fast and technical sport.

“Once you get going, you really feel the adrenaline,” he said. “We had a great time – it’s definitely something I’d love to try again.”

The polo exhibition match takes place on the Saturday of the show (17 May).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nations Cup showjumping thriller: great team spirit

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

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

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

A surprise return to the British team

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Next stop, Longines League Of Nations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WEF week one results

“McGregor jumped his heart out”

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

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

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

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

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

Al Shira’aa Show week one results

Showjumping news: Epaillard continues his winning run

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

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

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

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

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

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

CSI5*-W Basel results

Ellen Whitaker’s cracking prospect steps up

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

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

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

Doha Tour results
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‘No such word as can’t’: check out Joe Stockdale’s inspirational horseshoes for Paris 2024

Jennifer Donald — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 19:51:42 +0000

British showjumper Joe Stockdale arrived in France this week in his role as alternate rider for the Great Britain showjumping team at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

For this momentous occasion, his equine partner Cacharel is now sporting some motivational horseshoes – which came as a complete surprise to her 24-year-old rider.

“I didn’t know anything about them,” said Joe, who made his championship debut at the 2021 European Championships and went on to help Great Britain win team bronze at the 2022 World Showjumping Championships, but he will be experiencing his first Olympics at Paris 2024 alongside team-mates Harry Charles, Ben Maher and Scott Brash.

One of the shoes reads “Good luck Joe” while another carries the equally inspirational motto of Joe’s late father Tim Stockdale, “No such word as can’t”. Tim was himself an Olympic showjumper who rode the great Corlato at the Beijing Games in 2008, .

Joe Stockdale’s horseshoe reads “No such word as can’t”, which was his late father Tim Stockdale’s motto. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Joe Stockdale ahead of Paris 2024: “They all surprised me”

Joe Stockdale credited farrier Nigel Turner for going to these fantastic lengths and he posted a video on social media of him picking up the mare’s feet to reveal the inspiring and touching design.

“My farrier has been with us for many years now and he’s done a great job and put something on that’s a little bit special,” said Joe. “It was nice when I went to pick up her feet and they all surprised me. It was a really nice little touch from him and a nice little reminder.”

Joe was picked as the alternate rider for Paris 2024 with 13-year-old mare Cacharel, who is co-owned by his mother Laura Stockdale and his step-grandmother Joy Cocklin.

The Paris 2024 Olympic showjumping begins on Thursday 1 August with the team jumping medals decided the following day, before the individual competition begins on Monday 5 August.

‘You have to throw out the rule book with him’: Joe Stockdale and David Broome’s home-bred lead British top four in RIHS five-star

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 14:37:37 +0000

Less than a week before travelling to Paris for his first Olympic Games, British showjumper Joe Stockdale landed his first Agria Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) showjumping five-star success with a dominant performance on speedy gelding Equine Rescue Services Kandleford.

Drawn 19th of the mammoth field of 81 starters for Thursday’s opener, the Royal International Vase, Joe and the 14-year-old Kannan gelding cruised to the top of the leader board with what proved an unassailable target to pocket the €3,300 top prize.

“I had a plan going in today that I didn’t want to do anything too silly and radical and I thought if I get a nice top eight placing, I’d be chuffed to bits with him,” said Joe. “The track actually jumped a bit more difficult than it walked, so it was nice to get a clear in early. Kandleford is always up with the pace – he travels well across the ground and it worked out well today.

“I actually went away because I didn’t think I would be winning that class. There are some riders here who are really quick coming after me. But luckily a fence fell or they didn’t quite get there so I’m really pleased with Kandleford.

“There’s nowhere else in the world with such a special ring where you can jump these sort of fences. There’s always a great crowd and a great feel, so it’s really special to get my first win here.”

RIHS showjumping: a win for David Broome’s home-bred

Equine Rescue Services Kandleford was bred by Olympic showjumping legend David Broome and is by the hugely successful showjumping sire Kannan out of Pythagoras mare Perdy and Joe took the reins on the now 14-year-old gelding five years ago.

“He’s quite an individual character, you have to take the rule book and throw it out the window with him and ride him in his own sort of way,” revealed Joe. “But he loves to leave the fences up and he really enjoys it when he can run and jump.

“He’s quite a quick horse, he’s been on great form this year, we started out in Spain and won a good class at the five-star in Fontainebleau, so he’s been on good form leading up to here.

“Last year I had other horses jumping and he had quite a busy summer, quite a busy start to the year, so he had a quieter time and it was nice to let him go out in the field and have a bit of down time and reset for this year and he’s come back really nice.

“He loves a big open ring where he can really stretch his legs and get a good pace going so I’m chuffed to bits with him.”

Next stop Paris for Joe Stockdale

Joe and Kandleford topped this competitive speed class some two seconds quicker than Matt Sampson and King Lepantino, with William Whitaker third on Active Spirit and Nicole Lockhead Anderson completed the British top four on Chatondo.

Joe has been picked as Great Britain’s alternate rider with top mare Cacharel for the upcoming Paris Olympics and the Agria-sponsored rider was delighted to be supporting the Royal International Horse Show before heading to Versailles.

“It’s fantastic that Agria are able to sponsor the Nations Cup here because it would be such a shame to lose that – it’s important we keep the Nations Cup going,” said Joe.

The Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain takes place on Friday 26 July where defending champions Great Britain have been drawn first of the eight teams in action.

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British Olympic showjumping team is revealed: who has been selected for Paris 2024?

Jennifer Donald — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 16:35:52 +0000

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

The four combinations selected to represent Great Britain are:

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

Meet the British Olympic showjumping team

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

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

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

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

What a story, what a team.

“Here’s to achieving dreams”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Paris Olympic shortlisted mare’s first foal arrives: ‘If she’s half as good as her mum, she’ll be super – we’re chuffed to bits’

Jennifer Donald — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 10:36:24 +0000

Young showjumper Joe Stockdale has the honour of being selected among the list of British showjumping entries for the 2024 Olympic Games with his top horse Equine America Cacharel. But remarkably in the run-up to the historic event in Paris, the Stockdale family have recently welcomed the arrival of 13-year-old mare Cacharel’s first foal, who was born via surrogate mother Latina.

“She’s a great looking foal – she looks really strong and healthy,” said Joe. “We’re chuffed to bits with her.”

The bay filly foal has been named Penny as “a nice little spin” on her dam’s stable name “Cash” and her sire is the young Casall ASK x Contender stallion Casallco. Joe revealed that the idea to take an embryo was formed while Cash was on the sidelines through the latter part of last year after picking up a minor injury after St Gallen.

“We had a couple of surrogate mares available so we said why not, let’s try it, and it’s lovely to get a filly out of her, too,” Joe told H&H.

“I spoke to a few people in the know about choosing a stallion and Casallco seemed a popular choice and one that seemed to be doing well. The characteristics seemed to fit quite nicely with Cash.”

Joe Stockdale’s Olympic contender Equine America Cacharel’s first foal, Penny – named from a nice little spin on her dam’s name Cash. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Joe Stockdale: “We can see plenty of Cash in Penny already”

Little Penny will hopefully one day be following in her fantastic mother’s hoofprints in the sport. Equine America Cacharel (Cachas x Quinar Z) is owned by Joy Cocklin and Joe’s mother Laura Stockdale, having been spotted and produced through her early years by Joe’s Olympian father Tim Stockdale.

Joe and Cash have enjoyed plenty of success at the top level, including helping Great Britain win team bronze at the world showjumping championships in 2022.

“We all say we can see plenty of Cash in Penny already,” said Joe. “But if she’s half as good as her mum she’ll be a super one to have. So fingers crossed.”

Cacharel was rested and brought back to the ring slowly ahead of this landmark Olympic year and recent five-star performances have indicated she’s performing better than ever, most recently jumping a super double clear to finish fourth in the prestigious CSI5* Rolex grand prix of Rome.

“She jumped top notch there,” said Joe. “She was really back to her brilliant best there. I was over the moon with her.”

The duo have been picked to represent Great Britain at the final leg of the Longines League Of Nations in Rotterdam next week alongside Ben Maher, Tim Gredley and Harry Charles.

Six of Britain’s best named for Paris Olympics jumping squad

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 24 May 2024 11:36:02 +0000

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

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

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

British showjumping Olympic entries:

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

Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham

Breeder: Bernard Mols

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

Scott Brash with 10-year-old Hello Valentino

Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham

Breeder: Tina Petersson-Lind

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

Harry Charles with 12-year-old Aralyn Blue

Owners: Ann Thompson and Harry’s father Peter

Breeder: Franjo Udovc

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

Harry Charles with 15-year-old Romeo 88

Owners: Ann Thompson and Harry’s father Peter

Breeder: Picobello Horses

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

Harry Charles with 11-year-old Sherlock

Owners: Stall Zet and Harry’s father Peter

Breeder: Gustaaf Quintelier

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

Tim Gredley with 11-year-old Imperial HBF

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

Breeder: HBF Stud

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

Tim Gredley with 12-year-old Medoc De Toxandria

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

Breeder: Werner Dierckx

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

Ben Maher with 11-year-old Dallas Vegas Batilly

Owners: Rider, Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright

Breeder: Jean Claude Viollet

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

Ben Maher with 10-year-old Enjeu De Grisien

Owners: Rider, Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright

Breeder: SCEA Elevage de Grisien

Breeding: by Toulon, out of a mare by Andiamo

Ben Maher with 10-year-old Point Break

Owners: Rider, Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright

Breeder: Nya Äppelvikens Ridskola AB

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

Joseph Stockdale with 13-year-old Equine America Cacharel

Owners: Joy Cocklin and Joe’s mother Laura

Breeder: Bohm Helmut

Breeding: by Cachas, out of a mare by Quinar

Robert Whitaker with 11-year-old Vermento

Owners: Stephen and Caroline Blatchford

Breeders: Robert’s parents John and Clare Whitaker

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

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

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

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

‘It’s gutting but there’s a lot more to come from him’: unlucky faults deny Joe Stockdale and talented stallion first 5* win

Sarah Radford — Sun, 05 May 2024 09:58:02 +0000

Joe Stockdale and the much-admired 10-year-old stallion Ebanking gave a real glimpse of their potential at 5* level when they came within millimetres of taking a win in Royal Windsor Horse Show’s 1.55m Kingdom of Bahrain Stakes for The King’s Cup.

Riders often talk about having “an unlucky pole” but for once the description could not have been more accurate, as the slightest of taps at the final fence shattered the partnership’s hope of victory, when they were a formidable 2.66sec up on the clock.

“I’d set myself up for that class this week — I said at the start of the week I wanted to win it — so it was a bit gutting,” said Joe, who took over the ride on Barbara Hester’s son of Etoulon from Adam Botham two years ago.

“I was nearly through the finish by the time pole hit the ground. He only just tickled it, I don’t think he even knew he touched it.”

The partnership were jumping third in a seven-strong jump off for Saturday’s €12,500 feature class, and were chasing a pathfinding lead set by the USA’s Kent Farrington and Landon.

“To be honest, even though I thought I’d be up on the time, that last line was still the right distance to go on, I don’t think I could have ridden it differently. I gave him time and set him up, it was just really unlucky. I think you could jump that another 10 times and I don’t think he’d have it down, it was uncharacteristic,” Joe added.

‘He is more than capable of winning at 5* by a fair margin’

“It’s bittersweet because although it’s gutting, I set him up for that class and he had his eyes on the ball. There’s a lot of positives — I think there is a lot to come from that horse, and he was showing in a 5* 1.55m, that he was more than capable of winning by a fair margin.”

Ebanking was very successful as young horse, qualifying for several classes at Horse of the Year Show, where he was a favourite for the Foxhunter final, and taking a 1.30m win in the 2* at the London Global Champions Tour as a seven-year-old.

At the end of last year he made a significant step up to CSI5*, and in January he jumped well in the nations cup in Sharjah

“It took a while to work a few things out with him and he has taken time to get to this level,” Joe said. “He’s a quick learner who doesn’t want to make a mistake but he didn’t walk through the door ready to go at 5*.

“He was a good winner as a young horse but he had to go through a period of not winning and taking time with him and now I feel that I can push that button and take him onto a bigger cog, asking him more doesn’t mean it gets away from him.

“He’s a horse who gives 100% every time and that attitude and mentality make things easy to work out. He’s a great asset to my string.”

Rider claims remarkable hat-trick of wins in Royal Windsor’s King’s Cup

Sarah Radford — Sat, 04 May 2024 16:55:54 +0000

US rider Kent Farrington is a long-term supporter of Royal Windsor — which he describes as “one of my favourite shows” — and he marked this trip by lifting the King’s Cup for the CSI5* Kingdom of Bahrain Stakes for an impressive third time.

“I’ve always loved coming to this show, it’s a great crowd, great atmosphere, top course designers, top competition and Rolex grand prix money!” he said.

The 43-year-old rider, who is based in Wellington, Florida, is always a tough man to beat under the shadow of the castle, having also won the grand prix here on two occasions, and he was on competitive form going into an Olympic summer.

Drawn first in a seven-strong jump off for this €12,500 (£10,730) 1.55m class, he maintained a 1.71 sec lead on the very useful 11-year-old Landon to beat Italian Giulia Martinego Marquet (Scuderia 1918 Calle Deluxe) to the win.

“It was a fast class, as it always is here, it was great fun,” Kent said. “As first to go I just stuck with my plan for my horse and it worked out in my favour that some other fast rounds had a rail down.”

Bogey fence blasts British hopes

Many promising first rounds unravelled at a turquoise double on the penultimate line, jumped away from the collecting ring, with Scott Brash (Hello Mango), John Whitaker (Unick Du Francport) Robert Whitaker (Evert) and Tim Gredley (Medoc De Toxandria) among those to fault here.

“I think it was a big enough oxer and it was at the end of the arena, which always rides wide,” Kent noted.

Just one Brit, Joe Stockdale with Barbara Hester’s 10-year-old stallion Ebanking, made the cut, while Trevor Breen also jumped a lovely clear with Heather and Ian Blacks’ mare Luidam’s Warrior. On-form performers Laura Kraut (Confu) and Harrie Smolders (Springfield 21) joined the mix.

It was 24-year-old Joe in third draw who provided the only real threat to Kent’s lead, delivering a thrilling round on the chestnut son of Etoulon that axed a spectacular 2.66sec from the target, and he was incredibly unlucky when the last fence fell to the lightest of taps.

“My horse isn’t the fastest horse so for sure the time was beatable but luckily it worked out for me today,” said Kent, who has been riding the McNerneys’ Comilfo Plus Z x Quadrillo gelding since he was a seven-year-old.

“Landon has been a great horse for me, he’s won a couple of 5* grands prix, was on the team that qualified us for the Olympics and won team gold and individual silver at the Pan Am Games. He’s been in good form over the whole of the last season,” he added.

‘Better and better – he’ll go to the top’:’ why everyone’s talking about this exciting Windsor winner

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 02 May 2024 15:52:28 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

Mecoblue: stepping up impressively

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘Dad’s words are great motivation’: how Tim Stockdale’s sons are achieving sporting greatness

Jennifer Donald — Sat, 30 Mar 2024 16:30:44 +0000

British showjumper Joe Stockdale, 24, needs little introduction to equestrian fans, with a string of big wins and team performances to his name. But did you know his younger brother Mark is a rising star of the golfing world, too?

The Northamptonshire-born brothers sat down to talk about the highs and lows of their respective sports and the influence their late father, Olympic showjumper Tim Stockale, continues to have on their lives.

Joe, who won team bronze at the World Showjumping Championships in 2022 and hopes to contest the Olympic Games in Paris this summer, says both sports can have their frustrations.

“Mark has ridden and I have also enjoyed playing golf,” he says. “Especially at the top level of sport, it is extremely difficult. With horses you have so many ups and downs – it is a real rollercoaster. From my amateur perspective in golf, it is a mentally frustrating game and you are battling against yourself. In showjumping, we are almost lucky that we have other factors to contend with, for example, the horse.

“Golf is a very individual game and there is only really yourself to blame,” he adds. “So I think mental strength is one of the most important things that you can learn from both of the two sports.”

Showjumper Joe Stockdale and golfer Mark Stockdale. (Photo: YRA) | (Photo: Nelson Chenault). (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Nineteen-year-old Mark, who is currently on the men’s golf team at the University of Central Arkansas, agrees with “staying patient and trusting in the work you put in.”

“These things take time and you have to have plenty of resilience to get there,” he says. “The sports are very different, but very similar at the same time. You are not going to be the best in the world overnight, you have to keep going day-by-day.”

Joe continues: “The core value of any top level sport is that it is not necessarily about what you do or the outcome, but the mental side of it and the perspective you have from a performance. You can compare this, even though they are two completely different sports.”

The Stockdale brothers on the importance of teamwork

The Stockdale brothers pinpoint some surprising similarities with the relationships between caddy and golfer, and rider and groom.

“The trust is going to be there,” says aspiring professional golfer Mark Stockdale, currently ranked 320th in the world. “Joe has to trust his groom Charlotte Attwell to make sure the horses are as well prepared as possible and on top form to compete. I have to have that trust with my caddy that we are both going out there with a certain mindset and goal.

“When we are talking about certain aspects of the round we have to be on the same wavelength, we cannot be arguing with each other. But when Joe enters the ring or I am hitting the shot, the groom or the caddy are out of the equation, they have done their part and it is down to the individual to go and perform in the moment.”

Joe Stockdale adds: “It takes such a weight off your mind when you know that you have someone behind you that you can trust to get you to where you need to be.

“It is so important to have someone to be able to bounce ideas off – so Mark can ask his caddy: ‘What do you think about this shot?’, and even if the caddy just says that is a great idea, it gives you that extra bit of confidence,” he says. “When I am in the warm-up with Charlotte and ask, ‘How did he jump that last vertical?’ and she says, ‘It was perfect’.

“Even if it is just a mental thing for us, it gives you that next bit of confidence to trust your process and what you are already doing. It helps with your mental strength and gives you an extra layer of confidence and backing before you go in the ring or you take that shot on the course.

“I have a great team behind me. My team spans a huge amount of people, it is not just the people working on the yard every single day, but it is the vets, farriers, physiotherapists and many more.”

Joe Stockdale: “If you can improve yourself by 1% in every area, it makes a huge difference overall”

“There are a lot of people who help make it all happen,” Joe continues. “I have recently been reading a lot of sports psychology books and cyclists talk about making everything 1% better. Your team can escalate you so much – if you improve yourself by 1% in every area it makes a huge difference overall.

“That is certainly what we are aiming for, making everyone push to be that 1% better. The team and the people around me are incredible – they put 110% in their work every day and I cannot thank them enough. I would not be where I am today without them.”

Mark underlines the importance of collaboration, whether it’s family members or anyone else.

“Golf is a sport which, as a family, we did not have any prior knowledge about, so everything we do, we do it together and it is a constant learning phase,” he explains. “There have been plenty of hardships that you need to be able to talk about and learn from, so that has been a big part.”

Mark receives plenty of support from trainers at his university to ensure he is in peak physical condition.

“England Golf is also helping me to play in the best tournaments and compete at the highest level possible,” he says. “Even looking at the manufacturers of my golf clubs, there is a long list of people who without them, I would not be in the position that I am.”

Joe Stockdale (GBR) looks back as he walks out for the medal ceremony during the FEI World Jumping Championship. (Image credit: Sport In Pictures/Alamy Live News)

Mark Stockdale: “The endless pursuit of getting better is what I really love”

Both Mark and Joe grew up surrounded by horses while father Tim Stockdale competed at the highest level in showjumping, including at the 2008 Olympic Games, but Joe was originally hoping to pursue a professional career as a talented young cricketer, only switching paths to showjumping after the death of his father, while Mark took up golf “as a casual thing” to begin with.

“My mum and dad played golf and Joe had lessons alongside them, so they would play when my dad was back from shows,” says Mark. “I wanted to learn so that I could spend time with them – I had a few lessons and immediately the competitive side kicked in.

“I had to practise to try to be better than them and beat them. I picked it up quite quickly and started to play in some tournaments and I just fell in love with the process of practising and improving. It is one of those sports that is so frustrating – you think you have it and then you go out the next day and you have lost it. The endless pursuit of getting better is what I really love.

“From my family, I learned you cannot take a day off. You have to ride every day, you cannot just leave a horse in the stable, you have to constantly work. When my dad and Joe would ride, I would go off and practice and focus on my craft. You also have to have a lot of resilience. You are going to have hard times, but if you stay focused on the same goal and keep working every day you will get there.”

Stockdale motto: “Keep going and keep trying to find a way”

Both brothers have clearly inherited a competitive mindset and sporting excellence from their father Tim Stockdale, who died after a short illness in 2018, and Joe describes the superb horseman as “resilient and stubborn”.

“If it was not going right or he was not winning, he wouldn’t ever back off, he would put more into it,” he says. “He was always working his hardest and trying to find a way to get back to winning. He was so determined, if it was not working he was going to make it work, and he was going to find a way to get it over the line to get the result that he wanted.

“Even if we half have the idea that we might want to quit we always have his voice in the back of our minds saying: ‘You have to keep going and keep trying to find a way’. He is a great motivation to the two of us.”

Tim Stockdale and Fresh Direct Corlato at the Olympic Games in Hong Kong in 2008. His sons Joe Stockdale and Mark Stockdale are continuing their father’s legacy of sporting brilliance. (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Mark continues to be inspired by how Tim interacted and treated people.

“Whether it was kids asking for autographs or the way he had a conversation with people,” he says. “At shows, he walked around and everyone knew him, and he knew everyone’s names. What I learned is that you have to build relationships with people to earn their respect. He was so dedicated and so hardworking, and to me, that is just the base standard of how you have to be. You have to be 100% dedicated to what you want to do, do not take no for an answer for things, and really fight for it.”

“You do most of your learning when you are out of your comfort zone,” says Joe Stockdale

Within each of their respective sports, events such as the Majors or The Masters are core.

“Those are the events to go to,” says Joe. “For showjumpers, when we speak about going to a Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping Major such as the CHIO Aachen or The Dutch Masters, we speak about them as the best in world – they are massive and spectacular events. If I am speaking with any of my non-equestrian friends, I can list the names of different shows, they do not understand, but when I say that I am going to a Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping Major, they immediately have an understanding and level of respect. That is the legacy that Rolex has around those shows.

“For us riders, they are the biggest of the biggest shows, they have the best prize money and they are the ones that everyone wants to win. They are where you get the top-level sport.

“You do most of your learning when you are slightly out of your comfort zone,” he adds. “The first time I went to CHI Geneva, I loved it – it was an incredible experience. You are there with the best in the world, there is not one top rider who is not there, they all have their best horses and are all there to win it. The jump-offs that you get in the classes are sensational – you just do not get that at the other shows. You might see one person do an incredible round in a month of shows, but at the Rolex Grand Prix at the CHI Geneva in 2022 we saw five riders one after another going as fast as they could, and every rider you watched you thought that they could not be beaten, and then they were.

“It was the best of the best sport, not only for the spectators but as a learning experience for me. To have that opportunity as a young rider has been so valuable, so it is a credit to the Majors to provide that chance for young riders. I am not sure where I would be if I did not have those opportunities – they really elevated my game so much.”

It is the same in golf, says Mark: “People hear The Masters and they understand the prestige and history around it. They would know people that have won the tournament, even if they are not golfers themselves and they would know about the ‘green jacket’. The Majors bring together people who maybe aren’t usually interested in the sport – they can see the prestige, and I think that is incredibly important to the sport.

“I would love to win The Masters,” reveals Mark. “In golf, it is the closest thing to perfection, with velvet green fairways cut to perfection. In a non-perfect sport, it is the closest thing, and the image around it is unbelievable. When you see the players putting on the green jacket at the end of it, that is what the image of golf was for me growing up.”

Meanwhile, as well as Paris 2024, Joe’s ambitions lie with winning the Rolex grand prix at Aachen, Germany.

“It is such a special grand prix, with multiple rounds, and everyone talks about how big and difficult it is,” he says. “The CHIO Aachen has such an incredible grass arena with so much amazing heritage to it – it would be a dream to win there.”

More tea? Showjumpers take on scones and sandwiches in Royal Windsor bake-off

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 17:44:44 +0000

Showjumpers Jack Whitaker and Joe Stockdale weighed up the relative merits of flour and baking powder as they had a bash at creating an English afternoon tea.

The Royal Windsor Horse Show ambassadors took on the bake-off challenge with the event’s appointed caterers, Mosimann’s, at the Mosimann’s Club in Belgravia, London.

The pair, guided by Mark Mosimann, sported chef’s whites as they attempted to create scones and sandwiches. Mark said the pair were “definitely better than me on a horse!”

After some debate over certain ingredients, the pair produced a tea platter, which was taste-tested by Mark. He ruled that James’s sandwiches had the edge, but Joe’s scones pulled it back to a draw.

Francesca Hull, of Made in Chelsea, hosted the challenge.

She said: “I have been attending Royal Windsor Horse Show since I was a child, and so to be involved with the bake-off challenge was such a fun experience.

“It was great to watch Jack and Joe try out their baking skills in the wonderful Mosimann’s kitchen, under the watchful eye of Mark. I am very much looking forward to attending the show in May and tasting the wonderful afternoon tea while watching all of the incredible action.”

Joe said Windsor is a special event, to which he has been going for years.

“It’s top-class jumping – the best riders in the world are competing there and there’s a big Rolex Grand Prix on the Sunday, so it’s great competition. It’s also a show where my friends and family come to watch, which is always amazing too.

“It’s been great to experience another element of the show today and I hope I’ll be able to try some of the delicious Mosimann’s food when I get there!”

Enjoy the best of Royal Windsor with Horse & Hound

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

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

Success breeds success, according to the popular sporting hypothesis, and we see it in bucketloads in this week’s international showjumping news round-up.

From Daniel Coyle’s back-to-back World Cup wins with brilliant mare Legacy, to the input of two of Great Britain’s greatest showjumpers Nick Skelton and William Funnell in other riders’ success, there’s been plenty to celebrate in the world of showjumping. Read on for a round-up of this week’s international showjumping news and results.

Showjumping news: back-to-back World Cup success for Coyle and Legacy

Fresh from their World Cup success in Leipzig last weekend, Irish showjumper Daniel Coyle and Ariel Grange’s super 14-year-old mare Legacy triumphed again with another extraordinary performance in a World Cup thriller in Amsterdam. The duo sliced nearly 3sec off the leading time set by Dutch rider Willem Greve on Highway TN NOP to take top spot.

“I’ve been doing dry January, I do it every year, but Ariel Grange said ‘Go and have a few beers’,” Daniel said. “So I had three after last Sunday’s win and I think we might have a few more tonight!”

Daniel explained that commitment and determination have been the key to his success.

“My brother Jordan won everything on ponies and I didn’t win so much, or so it seemed!” he said. “In any sport I suppose you just get stuck in and get on with it or you get left behind and give up. Thankfully it went the right way for me in the end.

“It goes back to riding those ponies at home in Ireland where it’s very competitive. I rode with my brothers and everybody else, even the likes of Richard Howley, who now also has won a few World Cups. I was always chasing those guys. It’s good to see now I can have some revenge and I guess I also had some great horses in my career in the smaller divisions that have taught me how to do jump-offs. If being competitive in a jump-off is all I can give back to Legacy then I’m happy enough with that.”

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

Daniel has formed a unique partnership with Dolly, as Legacy is known at home, who has now earned a few weeks off in Florida before five-star League Of Nations duty.

“For years, we weren’t really on the same page,” he explained. “She’d jump one fence very high and the next fence I’d ask her to jump – like a plank or something delicate – she’d knock it down and I’d be very confused as to why. But I feel now we are very much on the same page; we have a real understanding.

“We have a huge year ahead with the World Cup Final and the Olympics – and for sure we’ll be looking at both with her – but we have to have a conversation about it all. The main thing is to get her to the Olympic Games like she is right now and try to win a medal! She’s in the prime of her life, she’s got better, she’s got older, and maybe so have I.”

Two qualifying rounds remain in the Western European League series, after which the top 18 riders in the standings will earn a ticket to the World Cup Final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in April.

Also enjoying a successful time in Amsterdam, British rider Matt Sampson landed a winning double of five-star speed classes with his London International winner MGH Candy Girl.

Jumping Amsterdam results

At the other end of the scale…

While Daniel Coyle is racking up multiple World Cup successes, amateur Mexican rider Jose Alberto Martinez Vazquez produced a career first World Cup qualifier riding Quinley in Puebla, Mexico.

“Quinley means everything to me. I’ve never had a horse like him before,” he said of the Holsteiner gelding he’s produced for 11 years from a four-year-old and with whom he represented Mexico at the 2022 World Championships. “Going to the last fence, you’re always thinking, ‘Is this enough?’ I had a bit of a miscommunication, but Quinley still went over it. I’m thankful.”

CSI4*-W Puebla results

William Funnell leads UAE to first Nations Cup success, Great Britain third

Weeks after taking the helm as the new UAE chef d’equipe, William Funnell led the squad to a debut Nations Cup success at the CSIO4* Sharjah. Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi on Enjoy De La Mure, Abdullah Mohd Al Marri (BBS McGregor, formerly with Jack Ryan), Ali Hamad Al Kirbi with Jarlin De Torres and Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi (Chacolu) didn’t hit a fence throughout two rounds, accumulating just two discarded time-faults to win on a zero score from Germany with five penalties on the card.

Great Britain finished third on 24 faults, represented by Joe Stockdale (Ebanking), Donald Whitaker on Millfield Colette, Skye Higgin riding Djordania Du Tillard and Jack Whitaker on Equine America Q Paravatti N, with Ireland finishing fifth.

British chef d’equipe Di Lampard said: “To finish on the podium was incredibly pleasing. We had two good results with young horses Ebanking and Djordania, which is encouraging for these partnerships for the future. We need to improve marginally as a team as we look forward to the first Longines League of Nations competition in Abu Dhabi. There was a slight lack of consistency, but we are looking at all the positives of yesterday.”

CSIO4* Sharjah results

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

More showjumping news: home-bred Grey Goose provides just the tonic

In more international showjumping news, Australian showjumper Rowan Willis flew to top spot of the CSI2* $100,000 Lugano Diamonds 1.45m grand prix on the Split Rock Jumping Tour at the TerraNova Equestrian Center in USA riding his home-bred mare Wellington Grey Goose (Corlensky x Grandira).

“Wellington Grey Goose is a real tryer and she’s fast,” said Rowan. ““I’ve done Split Rock shows ever since I came to America, and Derek Braun always puts on great shows. It’s really good for the competitors, has good prize money, and they have a fantastic facility here in Sarasota.”

CSI2* Split Rock Jumping Tour results

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

$215,000 grand prix goes to Foster

Canadian showjumper Tiffany Foster won the Winter Equestrian Festival NetJets CSI4* grand prix riding Battlecry, a 10-year-old by Vigo D’Arsouilles x Latano, whom she owns with Artisan Farms and Kent Farrington.

“I’m really happy to finally check this one off,” said Tiffany, who was also awarded as the week’s leading international rider while Battlecry’s groom Kaytlyn Brown earned a $500 prize. “My horse has a bit of a right drift – just like every horse, he goes one way or the other – so, I thought the jump-off was actually going to suit him.”

Luciana Lossio took second for Brazil on Lady Louise Jmen, while the Nick Skelton-trained French rider Nina Mallevaey took third on Cartier SR.

“Nick told me I could have gone faster to the last, but I’m so happy with my horse,” said Nina. “He’s really trying to do everything for me. I’m going to try to have many more podiums like this.”

Great Britain’s Ben Maher took fourth on Faltic HB and Irish showjumper Cian O’Connor slotted into fifth on Maurice for owner Pat Crean.

WEF results

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

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

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

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

A win for Stockdale, and Cacharel’s welcome return

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Al Shira’aa International Horse Show results

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

Maher resumes his winning ways

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

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

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

WEF results

A winning double for Kenny

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

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

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

Mr President kicks off with a win

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

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

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

Teenage mare lands the World Cup of Basel

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

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

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

Basel results

‘If you got her on side, she’d really fight for you’: Joe Stockdale picks the horse he wishes he could have ridden

Becky Murray — Mon, 25 Dec 2023 13:00:50 +0000

Suppose your Christmas stocking contained a ride on the horse of your dreams… We find out which superstars of yesteryear this top rider would love to sit on

Joe Stockdale has quickly become a big name after making his senior championship team debut at the 2021 Europeans. Most recently, he was part of the bronze medal-winning squad at the World Championships in Herning in 2022, and while cricket was at the forefront while growing up, there was one mare of his father’s, the late Tim Stockdale, that caught his attention.

“The horse I would really like to have ridden is Fresh Direct Corlato, the mare my dad took to the 2008 Beijing Olympics,” says Joe.

“I remember she was an opinionated mare. If she didn’t want to go in the wash box one day, then there was no chance of getting her in there – she was one of those types. But if you got her on side, then she’d really fight for you.”

Tim Stockdale and Fresh Direct Corlato in Hong Kong in 2008 (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Tim and the eye-catching grey finished best of the Brits in Beijing when they were 16th individually. The year before, they won the 2007 Royal Windsor grand prix, and in 2009 were part of the British team at the European Championships, held on home soil at Windsor.

“At the time, I was too young to ride her – I was eight when my dad was at the Olympics, but it would be nice to have the chance to ride her now. I think I’ve got a mare capable of going to the Olympics, Equine America Cacharel, and it would be really interesting to be able to compare them,” says Joe Stockdale.

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Joe Stockdale as Cinderella and other top riders as you’ve never seen them before – welcome to the London International Horse Show fancy dress relay

Gemma Redrup — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 16:30:23 +0000

The London International Horse Show fancy dress class was back in 2023 and certainly did not disappoint. Some of the world’s top showjumpers and eventers delighted the crowds at the ExCeL Arena on Sunday (17 December) with their fabulous costumes – which were pantomime-themed – and speedy rounds of jumping.

Following each pair’s round, a celebrity panel of Pippa Funnell, impressionist Rory Bremner and none other than Father Christmas gave marks out of 10 for the riders’ performances. The total marks were then deducted from the time, providing the final result.

Check out some of the truly iconic costumes worn by the competitors, and so gallantly carried by their respective mounts.

John Whitaker made a great Ugly Sister…

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

…His mount was elegantly turned out in silver tinsel too

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Robert Whitaker teamed up with his dad to complete the duo of the Ugly Sisters (with some interestingly placed embroidered hands on his costume!). They finished fifth after Robert stole the “10” scoring panel from the judges.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

There were cheers aplenty for a very game Joe Stockdale, who fully embraced his new persona as Cinderella

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Joe teamed up with Jodie Hall McAteer, who was Prince Charming, and together they finished sixth

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Representing the eventers, recent Maryland 5 Star winner, Austin O’Connor, quite literally flew around as Peter Pan (with some help from his wings, of course)

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Austin teamed up with Gemma Stevens, who fully embraced her role as Hook. Together they finished third

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Tim Gredley replaced his magic carpet with a horse when dressing up as Aladdin

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

While Tim’s pairing was Lily Attwood, who was dressed as Azerbanana. Sadly they finished bottom of the London International Horse Show fancy dress leaderboard in seventh

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Laura Collett and Tom McEwen were brilliant (and quite convincing too) as Snow White and The Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

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Tom’s “frontage” was a sight to behold, and undoubtedly contributed to their second place

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The winners of the London International Horse Show fancy dress were Harry Charles and Matt Sampson, who, disguised as Dick Whittington and The Cat, blazed around and gained strong marks from the judges

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According to the commentators, although the concept of Mother Goose took some explaining to Portuguese rider Duarte Seabra, he embraced it and finished fourth with Shane Breen, who was the Goose

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‘There could be no end to this horse’: Joe Stockdale’s emphatic HOYS win on super stallion

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 18:44:18 +0000

“If he keeps improving like this, there could be no end to him.”

Joe Stockdale and Ebanking showed just what they’re capable of this evening at Horse of the Year Show, as they took the Grandstand Stoneleigh Events Cup from 32 starters.

Joe has been riding Barbara Hester’s nine-year-old for about a year, during which time they have been building their partnership and taking things steady. So this ranking class, only the stallion’s second 1.60m, was the first time Joe had put his foot down.

“I watched Lorenzo Luca’s round and he was really quick, there weren’t really many options,” said Joe. “But he jumped so well in the first round, I knew I could dare him a bit, and he didn’t feel like he was going to touch a fence.”

The big chestnut showed impressive acceleration, and also an ability to turn effortlessly in his own length, coming home a fifth of a second ahead of Lorenzo on F One USA.

“I think the second-last and last were particularly fast,” said Joe. “I got the perfect shot to the second-last and knew I could take a chance. He’s a quick horse anyway, and now he’s proved what he can do at that top level. I couldn’t be happier.”

Joe praised Ebanking’s attitude, focus and overall temperament, adding: “He was focused from the start, he didn’t let the crowd get to him and as soon as a fence was in front of him, he was switched on.

“He’s such a sweet horse; a big teddy bear and the girls on the yard love him. He’s always with you and wants to do his best, he’s got a massive heart.

“He’s super competitive, got great balance and always knows exactly where his feet are, which really helps in a jump-off. And he just seems to get better every time he goes in the ring. If he keeps improving like this, there could be no end to him.”

A tailless chestnut mare – whose rider needed convincing to take the reins – is spectacular RIHS 5* winner

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 15:50:30 +0000

Friday morning’s 1.45m Agria Royal International Stakes resulted in a whitewash win for 26-year-old German rider Richard Vogel with a relatively new ride, 14-year-old tailless mare Evermeta (Mr Blue x Nimmerdor). The winning combination looked superb, rocketing round the corners and covering the Hickstead turf with ease, but the rider initially needed persuading to take the reins on the speedy mare.

“I’d like to say thank you to my horse – she’s a great fighter,” said Richard. “We’ve only been together for four or five months, but our partnership is going very well. Her owner, who I ride other horses for, always said we’d be a very good match and I doubted it a bit in the beginning, because I only saw videos of her. But he convinced me to give it a try. The first time I rode her I liked her very much because she’s such a fighter, with a great mind.”

Explaining about her lack of a tail, Richard said: “She’s never had one, so we don’t know what happened to it – we left it at home!”

A field of 40 lined up for the Agria International Stakes but from an early draw Richard set a target that outfoxed everyone else – second placed Matt Sampson was some 3sec adrift with Fabrice DN while Joe Stockdale took third on Equine Rescue Services Kandleford, a further second behind.

“It’s our first time here at Hickstead and it’s a really special feeling, you can feel the tradition of the show,” said Richard, who qualified for this year’s World Cup Final and has sprung up the world rankings in recent years to now sit 24th. “Yesterday we were a bit overwhelmed but today was good.

“Fences one and two came up a bit short, but then the rest of the course came up really well. She really wanted to go today so I left her to it in that rhythm. She’s generally a fast horse so we were lucky today. She doesn’t lose time anywhere, she’s not the most patient horse! But when she sees a fence, she’s like ‘Where’s the next one?’

“This is her level – I don’t think she’ll be a 1.60m horse, but at that level she always tries her best. So hopefully she can get some more good results,” Richard concluded.

The Royal International showjumping continues on Saturday, with the feature class, the Longines King George V Gold Cup on Sunday.

Two ex-eventers, a working hunter and a 17-year-old gelding: meet Windsor’s eclectic puissance stars

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 12 May 2023 13:02:24 +0000

An eclectic assortment of horses reached the fifth and final round of the Martin Collins Enterprises puissance at Royal Windsor Horse Show on Thursday (11 May).

Five of the seven combinations who lined up to tackle the big red wall made it through to the final barrage where the wall towered to 2.12m (7ft), and what a diverse quintet of horses and riders they were.

British rider Derek Morton was one of two to clear the lofty wall in the final round to share the spoils, a repeat of his performance last year, also on the 12-year-old gelding KBS High Quality. The horse is a former working hunter and despite contesting the Horse of the Year Show puissance last year with Mennell Watson in the saddle, he and Derek haven’t jumped a puissance since this time last year.

“I had a fall last July and broke my hip, so this is only the second time I’ve ridden the horse since,” says Derek. “We’ve had him since he was a six-year-old. I originally went to look at him as a working hunter, but he’s got a big jump, so is perfect for this. I’m very lucky.”

The winner of that puissance at HOYS, clearing 2.19m, was former Olympic eventer Commandant Geoff Curran of Ireland riding the Minister for Defence and Maurice Cassidy’s Bishops Quarter, and the pair shared top spot after also clearing 2.12m. Bishops Quarter interestingly shares the same sire as KBS High Quality – OBOS Quality. The 16-year-old gelding also finished second in the puissance at Dublin Horse Show and previously enjoyed an eventing career with his rider, competing to three-star (now four-star) level.

“He finds jumping big very easy,” says Commandant Geoff Curran. “He’s very brave, talented, scopey and honest – he will never say no.”

Royal Windsor puissance: ‘The most terrifying thing I’ve ever done’

Finishing equal third in a real case of David versus Goliath, just toppling a top brick in round five were Nici Wilson, riding in her first ever puissance with another former eventer, the 12-year-old Guaranteed Quality.

“It’s amazing and I’m so pleased to have done it but it was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done,” says Nici. “He doesn’t owe us anything – we’ve had him since he was three years old so he’s done a lot and given us a lot of fun. I started him as a five-year-old and actually we didn’t get on as a duo. He evented with my sister Helen, then I found myself back on him jumping and actually we’ve bonded as we’ve gone on. He’s very cool – he has his own opinion about life but he’s fun.”

Sharing the third-placed prize-money was the youngest rider in the field, 23-year-old Joe Stockdale, who was a last-minute replacement for William Funnell. Joe was back in the saddle on the 12-year-old Dublon, who actually left his stable last week and he says he was “really pleased with the way he jumped”.

Completing the top five in Royal Windsor’s puissance was Britain-based Frenchman Dan Delsart riding the veteran horse of the class, the 17-year-old British-bred gelding Granby, who has become something of a six-bar and puissance specialist in his senior years.

You’ll be hard pushed to find a more diverse field of competitors in a showjumping class!

Two showjumpers as you’ve never seen them before, on a day with the Household Cavalry

Jennifer Donald — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 15:32:52 +0000

In the run up to Royal Windsor Horse Show next month (11-14 May), organisers invited young British showjumpers Joe Stockdale and Jack Whitaker to go behind the scenes with the Household Cavalry at their Hyde Park Barracks in central London.

The duo were taken on a tour of the barracks, including the forge and the saddlery room, gaining an exclusive glimpse into the working life of these horses and the regiment.

As you can see in the video below, Joe and Jack had a lot of fun during their day.

“I feel like I’ve learned a lot,” says Joe, who has had plenty of success at Royal Windsor, including the under-25 grand prix and the puissance.

The five-star showjumpers were also invited to watch the Household Cavalry rehearse their musical ride, which they will be performing at this year’s Royal Windsor Horse Show.

“It’s great to see what goes on behind the shows and it’s a massive operation here,” states Jack. “Seeing all the staff – it’s similar with the big team we have at home.”

Joe adds: “I always enjoy watching them perform at Royal Windsor. So to be able to come behind the scenes with the Household Cavalry and see them here is really interesting for us.”

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The pair were then challenged to dress in the Household Cavalry uniform, which took some getting used to.

“They don’t do kids’ sizes,” quips Joe as Jack struggles to button up a large coat.

Jack and Joe are Royal Windsor Horse Show ambassadors and the pair will both be in action again in this year’s CSI5* showjumping classes.

“To win the grand prix, you need the complete package of horse and rider,” explains Joe. “You need to be on your game.”

“With a bit of luck,” offers Jack. “Royal Windsor is so special, obviously being in Britain as a British rider it’s nice to canter into the arena and get a big cheer, especially if you win. It’s always great to be there, especially when the royal family are there.”

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Joe emphasises the prestige that comes with competing at Royal Windsor.

“It’s a real honour to jump against the best in the world,” says Joe, who hopes to bring his championship horse Equine America Cacharel to this year’s event, while Jack will be in action on Equine America Valmy De La Lande.

“It’s one of the biggest grands prix,” he says. “To win would mean the world.”

Royal Windsor Horse Show takes place 11-14 May and H&H will be bringing you all the action from the four-day event both online and in the magazine.

‘I do not view this as a job, it’s a way of life and I love it’: Behind the scenes with Joe Stockdale’s groom Charlotte Attwell

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 17:32:29 +0000

We all know that grooms are the backbone of the sport, keeping the wheels turning and the horses in tip-top condition. Charlotte Attwell is one such devoted showjumping groom, who has been working for British championship rider Joe Stockdale for eight years after joining the yard on work experience.

In recent weeks she has been looking after Joe’s string of five-star showjumping horses at the prestigious Saut Hermes in Paris and The Dutch Masters in Amsterdam, after a spell competing and training at Kronenburg. Driving the truck across Europe, she says, is “much nicer than having to drive from the United Kingdom”.

“During long drives, I like to sing, but I’m not very good,” reveals Charlotte. “Also having a great selection of snacks helps!

“We are quite lucky as all our horses have become so used to travelling that they are incredibly well behaved. They all drink, have their haynets and are very calm.”

Among the horses she looks after is Joe’s top mare Equine America Cacharel, with whom Joe won team bronze at last year’s world championships.

“We love her and she has the best character,” says Charlotte. “She is totally spoilt and loves her treats.

“The second horse we have brought with us is Equine America Bingo Du Chateau. He is very cheeky and gets spoilt as well, but maybe that is my own fault! He is a real character and can be quite naughty in the warm-up, but is incredibly talented. We have also got a new horse with us this year called Ebanking, who is a nine-year-old stallion. Currently, he is looking on top form”

The Dutch Masters was Ebanking’s five-star debut and he has posted some eye-catching clears since stepping up, while Bingo finished in the ribbons in the Netherlands. Charlotte has an enviable job in that she also gets to attend some of the biggest showjumping competitions in the world.

“I have attended CHI Geneva, along with The Dutch Masters, and these majors are just a different level compared with other shows. You are just blown away when you arrive in the arena and see all of the facilities. Now, I need to get to CHIO Aachen and the CSIO Spruce Meadows Masters.”

‘My favourite aspect of being a showjumping groom is forming a bond with the horses’

Although Charlotte no longer rides due to lack of time – “I am quite happy being on the ground, looking after and spoiling the horses,” she says – her favourite aspect of the job is forming a bond with the horses.

“I spend a lot of time with Cash and Bingo as they come to most places with me,” she explains. “The bond that you form with them is incredible as you know these horses inside and out. It is really nice as the horses want to spend time with you and see you – it is a great feeling. I do not view this as a job, it’s a way of life and I love it.”

Are there any parts of the job she doesn’t like quite so much though? “Packing and unpacking the lorry,” she says. “It is so time consuming.”

According to Charlotte, the showjumping grooms are hugely supportive of each other on the international circuit.

“You definitely form a community as you are constantly travelling and attending shows with each other,” she reveals. “You always ask which shows your friends are attending or where they are travelling on to from a show. It is really nice that people try to keep track of one another. Our team only really started five-star competitions last year, but everyone is really nice and welcoming. It is a really nice atmosphere as everyone tends to go to dinners together as well, and we all share our advice with each other.

“You definitely have to be committed, as if you’re not, you will not advance. You have to want to win as well! Anyone can become a groom, as you learn on the job, but it is important to be dedicated and willing to learn. No one is perfect at the start; you definitely work your way up.

“It is really beneficial to spend time around other grooms, as you learn so much from them and everyone has their own methods. There is no right or wrong method – you have to find what suits you.”

Charlotte says that her proudest moment as a showjumping groom came in Herning, Denmark, last year when Joe represented Great Britain as part of the bronze medal-winning squad.

“You cannot get better than that,” says Charlotte. “I was so nervous during the whole week. I remember waiting in the back as we found out that the team had won a bronze medal and that was an incredible moment. It is really hard to explain my feelings in words from that moment. It was such a great team effort and one we are all very proud of.”

With thanks to Rolex Grand Slam.

‘We thought she was in the sunset of her career; she’s been reborn’: 16yo mare helps top rider become new Grand Slam contender

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 12:34:00 +0000

USA rider McLain Ward and the 16-year-old mare HH Azur triumphed in the Rolex grand prix at the CHI Geneva horse show on Sunday (11 December) to become the contenders for the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping.

Shedding a few tears in the aftermath of his incredible first victory in a Major grand prix, McLain said: “This has been 30 years coming. It’s been a long and difficult story, but I think that’s what the sport does for us, it’s the struggle reflected in life, the fight, the perseverance, the trying to do better, and that’s something I’m very proud of. My career has been not all ups – although I’m fortunate to have had plenty – but there have been some very difficult ones, some here in Geneva [where McLain was disqualified from the 2010 World Cup Final], but this has always been a very special place for me and somewhere I’ve wanted to have excellence.

“This is the mecca of our sport so I’m proud to be here, proud to win.”

From last draw, McLain just pipped home rider Martin Fuchs (Leone Jei) into second and Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam (James Kann Cruz) into third in a thrilling 13-way jump-off in front of a passionate and vocal crowd.

A coveted rug for the new Rolex Grand Slam contenders

The US combination have been in tremendous form this year and came to Geneva on the back of a podium finish in the Super Grand Prix at Prague a fortnight earlier. HH Azur, who is owned by Double H Farms, left Geneva adorned in the coveted green and gold Rolex rug which signals the start of McLain’s next adventure as Rolex Grand Slam contender.

The double Olympic team gold medallist revealed the pep talks he always gives his incredible partner of the past seven years.

“At this point in her career I always give her a pat on the neck and say ‘You don’t owe anyone a fence, but if we could jump another clear round today it would be nice,’ he said. “I really have that feeling for this wonderful mare.

“When I got on her for the jump-off, I actually said to her, ‘It’s only one more round – give me what you’ve got and if you don’t have enough it’s OK too. She jumped out of her boots, which was pretty remarkable.

“This story is particularly very special – Azur is owned part by Hunter Harrison and his family, who was a great mentor and supporter of mine, but is no longer with us, and Francois Mathy, who is like a father to me and was here today so that’s very special.

“At the end of last year I thought her career was probably coming to an end, she didn’t feel in great form and it felt like she was in the sunset of her career. But she has been reborn this year. She feels incredibly healthy and has jumped seven major grands prix, three of which were Grand Slam events, and she was clear in all seven – other than a time-fault, which was the rider’s fault! So yes, I was emotional, I wanted to win, to beat these guys is a great feat, to not let the horse down – it’s a great day.

“For all of us in the sport, we aspire to win these very special events – Geneva, Aachen, Calgary, Rome. These are the events I grew up dreaming of, jumping in my back yard pretending to win. I first came to this show nearly 30 years ago – I still think I’m one of the younger ones, but I’m not! This is our life, this is what we live, this is the dream.”

‘I took all the risks to win the hat-trick – but McLain had other ideas!’

There was a standing ovation for Martin Fuchs, who had bid an emotional farewell to his other great grey Clooney 51 earlier in the afternoon. His dazzling jump-off performance on Leone Jei would be beaten, just denying him a record third win in this class, but the Swiss rider was thrilled nevertheless.

“It was a pretty emotional day with the goodbye of Clooney,” said Martin. “Leone Jei always jumps great in this ring and I knew that the course suited me well. In the jump-off I tried to take all the risks I could to make the hat-trick, but McLain had a different idea for today!”

Drawn earlier than the top two, Shane Sweetnam had done all he could with the nine-year-old Irish-bred James Kann Cruz (Kannan x Cruising) in only his first season at five-star level, and punched the air in delight after taking the lead.

“I got him last year as an eight-year-old,” said Shane. “We’ve had a great partnership from the start. The standard in this class is incredible, but I feel with this horse I can really compete with these guys. In the jump-off I went as fast as I could and I was winning coming out of the ring which is all you can really ask. Then the guys Martin and McLain took another step and took the class, it was great sport.”

Best of the Brits in the Rolex grand prix was jump-off trailblazer and reigning Olympic champion Ben Maher riding the nine-year-old mare Dallas Vegas Batilly, in the same ownership as Explosion W – Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright. They set off with the mare’s lovely big, swinging stride really covering the ground, but they stalled slightly on the turn back to an oxer at fence three and hit the back rail to post a score of four faults in 42.76sec.

In the first round we lost British hopes Joe Stockdale (Equine America Cacharel) who was competing in his first ever Rolex Grand Slam and Harry Charles (Romeo 88), both with faults at the tricky double of Liverpools.

Irish contenders Conor Swail and Count Me In hit the third part of the Rolex treble for a four-fault tally, while his countryman Denis Lynch and Brooklyn Heights also finished on the same score.

Previous Rolex Grand Slam contender Daniel Deusser finished sixth with a great double clear on Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z.

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

Jennifer Donald — Sat, 10 Dec 2022 15:56:53 +0000

The talking point of Saturday’s schedule at the CHI Geneva (7-11 December) was the five-star Coupe de Geneve “competition over combinations” in which a quality field of 35 riders tackled a unique track consisting only of combination fences.

The six-fence course opened with a triple bar, but athletes then immediately faced an oxer-vertical double quickly followed by a vertical-oxer double at fence three. They then looped round to face a huge test, the Rolex quadruple combination, which comprised of a vertical to vertical on two strides, then one stride to an oxer and two strides to part 4b, another oxer; it was an incredible test of power jumping.

But there was no let up, as the home straight consisted of another pair of doubles on a dog leg.

Amazingly, 12 riders jumped clear to progress to the scaled back – although no less testing – jump-off against the clock.

The winner was home rider Steve Guerdat riding Venard De Cerisy, who powered round at incredible speed to claim the £32,000 top prize and led a Swiss one-two-three on the podium.

“Venard has always jumped combinations really well and he was really on form today,” said Steve. “I thoroughly enjoyed the jump-off, which was perfectly put together. It’s definitely an event that suits me and I always enjoy taking part in it because it’s also a bit of a change from what we usually do.”

Joe Stockdale: ‘It’s just a mass of poles’

But in fifth place with a tremendous double clear on his debut appearance at this five-star CHI Geneva show was a thrilled Joe Stockdale riding the 11-year-old Bingo Du Chateau.

“I’ve never done anything like that before,” said Joe. “And there were some big fences in there, it was tough. I wasn’t quite sure how Bingo was going to react going into such a big combination – when they come into a quadruple combination it’s just a mass of poles in front of them.

“But he just went in there and even from number one he was on it. He jumped it well.”

Joe admitted that he hadn’t been able to practise for this unique class.

“I’d planned to practise, but then I changed my plans and I’ve actually only jumped a couple of small rounds at home on him before coming here. So it was nice he came in and took on the challenge,” said the 23-year-old, who was crowned Tommy Hilfiger Equestrian Young Rider of the Year at the recent Horse & Hound Awards.

“The calibre of horses and riders here is unreal, it’s the best in the world, certainly the best I’ve ever been to,” added Joe. “So I’m chuffed to bits. Bingo Du Chateau has had a big year, he’s done a lot of learning. He hadn’t done a lot before the start of this year, but he’s stepped up and that’s a nice note to finish on, with a good course and a nice result under his belt.”

Joe will be contesting his first ever Rolex Grand Slam leg on Sunday, the Rolex grand prix of Geneva, with his championship mare Equine America Cacharel.

“She feels great here and seems to like the arena,” said Joe. “She’s not gone in tense or a bit spooky like they can do in this ring. I know it’s going to be tough, but fingers crossed… The crowd here is just fantastic, lots of noise and a great atmosphere, it’s such a great show.”

You can read the full report from CHI Geneva in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine, in the shops on Thursday 15 December.

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

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 16:40:49 +0000

All roads led to Barcelona this week for the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final, where some of the best teams in the world battled it out for the coveted title, as well as an all-important ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics. British chef d’equipe Di Lampard revealed her fifth-placed squad of young riders “did their country proud”, although you had to feel for poor Joe Stockdale, who said he was “absolutely gutted” to tip the final fence in round two and miss out on a share of the €100,000 double-clear bonus.

Elsewhere in Spain, two of our Olympic riders debuted some exciting new horsepower and London gold medallist Peter Charles made a welcome return to the international ring. Meanwhile, on home soil, the Keysoe CSI2* grand prix attracted a strong field, so congratulations to Laura Stephenson and her 20-year-old partner Catherston Connor for their success.

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

Ben Maher makes winning debut on new horse

The reigning Olympic champion Ben Maher has some top-class new horses in his string and, in week one of the Autumn Mediterranean Equestrian Tour CSI2* at Oliva Nova, Spain, he made a winning debut with Exit Remo (main image, above), an outstanding five-star horse for Dutch rider Patrick Lemmen. Ben and the 13-year-old jumped the only double clear to win Saturday’s 1.45m jump-off class, but he was also in action on Helwell Du Chabus for Holger Hetzel, and the nine-year-old mare Dallas Vegas Batilly, a great contender for French team rider Nicolas Delmotte until recently. Scott Brash also made his competitive debut on the seven-year-old Keswichtime HV. This week’s grand prix was won by US rider Michael Hughes with the Stephex Stables’ 15-year-old Calisto Blue, once the ride of Michael Whitaker and more recently with Daniel Deusser. The bronze tour final resulted in a British victory for the in-form Joanne McGlory riding G Zara Zing while sisters Sienna and Scarlett Charles were placed in the silver tour equivalent.

Showjumping results from Autumn MET Tour

Belgium triumphs and young British team “make their country proud” in Nations Cup Final

In Barcelona, Spain, Belgium took the coveted title in the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final, as well as securing Olympic qualification for Paris 2024. Great Britain’s young squad of Ellen Whitaker (Equine America Spacecake), Lily Attwood (Cor-Leon VD Vlierbeek Z), Jodie Hall McAteer (Salt’N Peppa) and Joe Stockdale (Equine America Cacharel) finished fifth, and chef d’equipe Di Lampard said: “I was so proud because Barcelona is no giveaway – it’s a sudden-death championship.”

“We went straight through [to Sunday’s final], by the skin of our teeth!” she added. “This was Lily’s first time into the team at five-star level, a massive step up for a 20-year-old, and Jodie is getting much better at the level, while Joe has shown his maturity – that last fence was cruel though!” she said, of his faults at the final oxer, which denied him a share of the €100,000 double-clear bonus.

“Ellen’s rounds were fantastic – to lead us out, and to lead everyone out on the last day. My goodness can she ride in that ring! The spirit with this young group of riders is brilliant, I was so proud of the way they came back. They did the country proud and what a season to look forward to next year.”

Nations Cup Final standings

Peter Charles makes a welcome return to the international ring

With his daughters Sienna and Scarlett Charles in action on the Autumn MET Tour, Peter decided to don his white breeches and competition jacket to make a welcome return to the showjumping ring in the CSI2* classes. It had been three years since the 2012 Olympic team gold medallist made his last international appearance and four years since he was last competing regularly. Riding the nine-year-old ABC Caruso, 62-year-old Peter’s best result in Spain came in Sunday’s 1.40m two-phase class where he just collected four penalties in the second phase.

“I always ride and school at home, but we had new horses and we were a rider short here so I jumped him myself – but don’t worry, it’s nothing big, I won’t be aiming for Paris or anything like that!” said Peter. “It’s part of our business – schooling the horses behind the scenes is what I do anyway and I can easily pull one around for the team, so all that was different this weekend was that I had to put on a shirt and tie!”

Results from the CSI2* two-phase in Oliva Nova, Spain

20-year-old gelding triumphs

Only two riders managed to produce double clears in Keysoe’s CSI2* grand prix, and victory went to Laura Stephenson riding the 20-year-old Catherston Connor. Taking the runner-up spot was Joe Trunkfield with the great campaigner Grennanstown Sarco Lux. Don’t miss the full report in next week’s issue of H&H, in the shops on Thursday 13 October.

Keysoe grand prix results.

Landmark first grand prix

At the CSI3* Lugano Diamonds Split Rock Jumping Tour at the Kentucky Horse Park, 21-year-old US rider Tanner Korotkin landed his first international grand prix aboard Rupert Winkelmann’s Quinn 33, who he’s only been riding for a couple of months.

“He’s just an awesome, fast, super careful horse and he’s really fun to ride,” he said.

Split Rock grand prix results

‘So much pressure!’: Nations Cup Final winners also claim Olympic qualification

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 15:59:47 +0000

In a thrilling afternoon of world class showjumping, Belgium claimed outright victory in the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona on Sunday (2 October) as well as booking their place at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

It all came down to Belgium’s fourth team rider Jerome Guery riding his brilliant 16-year-old stallion Quel Homme De Hus, the silver medal-winning partnership from the World Showjumping Championships in Herning, Denmark in August.

A clear round in Barcelona would ensure victory while just one rail down would have forced a jump-off against France and Switzerland – the latter being the only other team in Sunday’s final bidding for the one Olympic qualification spot.

However, this outstanding pair soared home over the testing track set by Santiago Varela and a huge cheer erupted from supporters ringside.

“There was so much pressure beforehand as I knew I had to jump clear,” said Jerome, one of five riders to produce a double clear between Thursday’s opening leg and Sunday’s final to share the 100,000euro bonus.

“We were also here for the Olympic qualification, so it was great to come back with victory as well.”

His team-mate Gilles Thomas (Calleryama), who has enjoyed tremendous success this summer including winning the King George V Gold Cup at Hickstead and at the London leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour, also jumped clear in his first Nations Cup Final.

“I was so happy to cross the finish line. It’s a privilege to be part of this team,” he said.

Narrow margins at the top of Nations Cup Final leaderboard

The Belgium team won the Nations Cup Final on a zero score. This was the third time the nation have won this prestigious conclusion to the series. They finished just ahead of France and Switzerland, who both posted team scores of four faults but were split by their cumulative times.

“All my riders are very strong, with very good horses – they can stand the pressure,” concluded Belgian chef d’equipe Peter Weinberg.

(Image credit: Richard Juilliart)

The Nations Cup Final defending champions, the Netherlands, finished fourth this time around on eight faults.

Having qualified as one of eight teams for Sunday’s final, Great Britain’s quartet of Ellen Whitaker (Equine America Spacecake), Lily Attwood riding Cor-Leon V Vlierbeek Z, Jodie Hall McAteer on Salt’N Peppa and anchorman Joe Stockdale (Equine America Cacharel) came home on a team score of 16. This placed them equal with Spain but the Team GB showjumpers took fifth position by finishing just three hundredths of a second faster than the hosts in sixth.

Germany took seventh, ahead of Ireland’s squad of Andrew Bourns (Sea Topblue), Trevor Breen on Highland President, Jack Ryan on BBS McGregor, with a tremendous clear round from Mikey Pender riding HHS Calais.

You can read the full report from the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona in next week’s issue of Horse & Hound, in the shops Thursday 6 October.

From cricketer to world championship medallist, with Olympics in his sights: Joe Stockdale reflects on a whirlwind four years

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 15:02:46 +0000

Just four years ago, an 18-year-old Joe Stockdale was a talented young cricketer hoping to pursue a professional career in the sport he adored. But, speaking to H&H showjumping editor Jennifer Donald on episode 122 of The Horse & Hound Podcast, Joe confirms it was “the right decision” to have switched paths after the loss of his showjumping father Tim Stockdale to instead pursue an equestrian career in which he’s enjoyed a meteoric rise.

“I’m very proud,” he says. “But I’m lucky to have supportive owners, so I appreciate them and my sponsors too – there’s a big team behind me making it all work.”

Most recently Joe represented Great Britain at the World Showjumping Championships riding his “superstar” mare Equine America Cacharel and the pair came home with a team bronze medal.

Joe describes standing on the championship podium in Denmark as “a strange experience”.

“I didn’t know what to do!” he laughs. “Ben Maher and Scott Brash are used to being up on the podiums all the time – I think I just looked a bit gormless! But the whole thing was such a great learning curve – I’ve taken so much away from it.”

Looking back at the moment he realised he’d won a medal, he recalls: “It was pretty surreal really – I was actually stood with Harry Charles out by the collecting rings, the timing system had gone down online and we’d been jumping, so we hadn’t been keeping track of all the scores and we were a bit unsure as to where we stood at that point.

“But we’d done the maths and worked out that a couple of things needed to happen in order for us to get the medal, so it was touch and go, and we were waiting and watching. We’d actually gone off to get some food because we thought if we kept watching we’d jinx it and it would never happen!

“Anyway a fence fell and that gave us the result we needed to put us ahead. It was such an up-and-down competition that you never felt safe where you were – you just didn’t know what was going to come next and a couple of rogue scores were coming even from the anchor riders.”

Joe Stockdale: ‘Wearing the British flag is special’

This week, Joe Stockdale is in Barcelona, Spain, representing Great Britain at the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final.

“Every time you get to wear the British flag, it’s special,” says Joe. “It’s a real honour to be asked to be on the team. We’re a fairly young team but we’ve all got the results to back it up. I have a lot of faith in the guys. I love the Nations Cup series and again it’s been a great learning curve for me this year. It’s always a bit of added pressure though – all of a sudden you have three other guys relying on you!”

Joe will again be riding 11-year-old Equine America Cacharel, who was picked out by his father Tim.

“She’s a very special horse to all of us,” reveals Joe.

Looking ahead, Joe pinpoints the King George V Gold Cup at Hickstead’s Royal International – a class Tim Stockdale regarded “as his greatest win”, says Joe – as one of the titles he’d most like to win, while the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris is also a target.

“Obviously a lot can happen in that time, things can change, things can go wrong, but I have another year of experience now and so does Cacharel, so I’m hoping that with another year we can build on what we’ve got,” says Joe. “It’s a long-term goal, but it’s in my sights.”

You can hear more from Joe Stockdale as he talks about the skills he’s learned from his senior team-mates Scott Brash and Ben Maher, his journey so far and why he’s relishing a return visit to Horse of the Year Show next week on episode 122 of The Horse & Hound Podcast – listen here or search “The Horse & Hound Podcast” in your favourite podcast app.

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Don’t miss a second of the action from HOYS on HorseandHound.co.uk with no limit on how much you can read from as little as £1 per week with a Horse & Hound unlimited website subscription. Join now. Plus enjoy our full 22-page HOYS magazine report, including in-depth analysis of all the showing and showjumping, plus exclusive comments, on sale Thursday 13 October.

Great Britain and Ireland qualify for final eight in Nations Cup Final thriller in Barcelona

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 20:03:57 +0000

The showjumping teams from Great Britain and Ireland are among the eight finalists for Sunday’s Longines FEI Nations Cup Final after qualifying from a nail-biting opening round in Barcelona, Spain, on Thursday (29 September).

Fourteen nations lined up for the first leg of this week’s finale and the outright winners were France, who proved unstoppable with four clear rounds. They fielded the same team of horses and riders who finished sixth at the World Championships last month.

“We were just saying how much the horses have grown since Herning,” said Simon Delestre, who rode the 10-year-old Hickstead son, Cayman Jolly Jumper. “They are super quality horses with a good mind, they are fighters and really modern horses and they proved that again today. My horse has had an amazing Nations Cup season this year.”

Tremendous start for Ireland in Nations Cup Final

Ireland showed tremendous early form in the Nations Cup Final to take second ahead of hosts Spain, equal with Belgium in third.

Irish clears came from Trevor Breen with Highland President and Jack Ryan riding BBS McGregor, both home-breds. Andrew Bourns jumped round for four faults with the Irish-bred Sea Topblue, while Mark McAuley (Jasco V Bisschop) was the drop score of eight.

Jack, 21, said: “There was a little bit of pressure because today is all about qualifying for Sunday and to get the clear round. McGregor is very special, my mother bred him and he’s been a fantastic horse. He’s a great character and everything he’s been asked to do so far he’s done it with ease. He has a big heart and every time he goes in the ring he wants to do his best and you can’t ask for more than that!”

Tying for fifth on eight penalties were Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands and squeaking through as the last of the eight teams to qualify for Sunday’s final were Great Britain, who finished with 12 faults. They posted the same team score as Brazil, however the Brits earned the coveted top eight place thanks to a marginally quicker time – just 0.4sec split the two squads.

Clear round for Joe Stockdale

The sole British clear came from Joe Stockdale riding his World Championship team bronze medal-winning partner Equine America Cacharel, whom he described as jumping “fantastic” in the opening round.

“We went in there and felt very comfortable, and I sort of knew even from jumping the first three fences that she was on good form,” said Joe, who had given the mare a break after Herning, slowly building her back up to finish fourth in a grand prix in Belgium before coming to Spain.

“For some horses switching them off for a few weeks and switching them back on is tricky but she took to it well. You can tell when she’s ready because she gets a bit bored in the field!”

Pathfinder on Di Lampard’s young Great Britain team was Ellen Whitaker, who just picked up four faults at the treble combination on Equine America Spacecake while Jodie Hall McAteer and Salt’N Peppa came home on eight. Lily Attwood, at 20 the youngest rider in the competition, and Cor-Leon V Vlierbeek Z hit three fences and collected two time-faults.

These top eight teams go straight through to Sunday’s final where they will start again on a zero score. As well as the Nations Cup title honours, Paris 2024 Olympic qualification is at stake for either Belgium or Switzerland.

The lower placed teams now bid for victory in Saturday night’s Longines Challenge Cup.

Young British squad lines up for all-star Nations Cup Jumping Final in Barcelona

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 11:30:22 +0000

British showjumpers Ellen Whitaker, Joe Stockdale, Jodie Hall McAteer and Lily Attwood will be flying the flag this afternoon (Thursday 29 September) in the first round of the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, Spain.

A total of 14 nations line up for this prestigious finale to the Nations Cup series, held at the Real Club de Barcelona, all bidding for a place in Sunday afternoon’s final when the winner will be decided.

With an average age of just 25, the British squad is packed full of young talent. Pathfinder Ellen Whitaker, 36, is the senior member of the team and rides Tilly Shaw’s 10-year-old mare Equine America Spacecake. The only rider from GB’s bronze medal-winning team at the World Showjumping Championships last month is 22-year-old Joe Stockdale with his top mare Equine America Cacharel. Jodie Hall McAteer, also 22, brings her superstar 13-year-old Salt’N Peppa and team anchor is 20-year-old Lily Attwood and the hugely consistent Cor-Leon V Vlierbeek Z. The fifth member of the British squad in Barcelona is William Whitaker, a late replacement for Harry Charles after his mount Casquo Blue wasn’t quite fit enough to compete.

“The Brits always look forward to coming to Barcelona for the Nations Cup Final and we have a group of riders who are very excited to be here,” said chef d’equipe Di Lampard.

Nations Cup Final defending champions

The defending champions are the Netherlands, three-time winners of this final, who are represented by big names Maikel van der Vleuten (Beauville Z NOP), Johnny Pals (Zarkava Hero Z), Jur Vrieling (Long John Silver 3) and Harrie Smolders riding Monaco NOP with Jos Lansink at the helm.

Argentina and Brazil, who have been drawn first, will represent South America while Canada and Mexico qualified ahead of surprise absentees USA.

Hosts Spain, as well as Belgium, France, Germany and Switzerland will also be in action.

France’s chef d’equpe Henk Nooren said: “We are bringing the same team as we had at the World Championships in Herning but we need to see how the form of the horses is because most of them have only jumped one show since Herning so there’s a bit of a question mark but we will see!”

Irish team ‘hope to be lucky – and good’

Ireland will be well represented by Trevor Breen (Highland President), Jack Ryan (BBS McGregor), Mark McAuley (Jasco V Bisschop) and Andrew Bourns (Sea Topblue).

“We love Barcelona and we are reasonably lucky here normally so we hope we will be lucky, and good, this year!” said Irish chef d’equipe Michael Blake. “We have a slightly less experienced team, they have experience but have never been to this final before.”

The reigning Olympic and world champions Sweden are another country bringing a younger team of riders to Barcelona – having finished bottom of the European Division 1 series alongside Norway they didn’t earn direct qualification to the Nations Cup Final, however with no participating teams from the Middle East region attending, both countries were invited to compete.

“We are excited to be here and happy to be here because we were struggling a bit, but now we are here with a team of the future I hope,” said Henrik Ankarcrona, Sweden’s chef d’equipe.

With eight of the top 18 riders in the world rankings in action, this is sure to be a hard-fought and thrilling contest.

Surprisingly, the Swiss have never won the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final title but they, along with Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and Norway, will be bidding for the single qualifying spot on offer for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games from this competition.

Competition begins for all 14 nations at 1pm BST on Thursday 29 September, with the top eight finishers going straight through to Sunday’s €1,250,000 final. The remaining six countries return for Saturday night’s Challenge Cup, won last year by Great Britain. Olympic course-designer Santiago Varela will once again be setting the tracks.

H&H will be bringing you all the latest news from the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final online and there will be a full report in next week’s magazine, on sale in shops on Thursday 6 October

The Horse & Hound Podcast 122: Joe Stockdale | Hoof abscesses | News round-up

Gemma Redrup — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 05:45:15 +0000

Our 122nd weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast features an interview with Joe Stockdale, a member of the bronze medal-winning team at the showjumping World Championships in Herning in August. He talks all about that incredibly exciting competition. We then hear from our news team who discuss how the economic situation is affecting the horse world, road safety and maternity leave for riders. Finally, farrier Sam Dracott will give us some insight into abscesses in horse’s feet and how best to deal with them. We hope you will enjoy listening.

Episode 122 of The Horse & Hound Podcast, our popular audio service, which is available every Thursday morning, is now live.

Each episode is available for H&H fans to listen to via your favourite podcast app, as well as here on the website. Search for “The Horse & Hound Podcast” in your preferred podcast app and click subscribe to be notified about each new episode. This will allow more listeners to make The Horse & Hound Podcast an essential part of their week every Thursday morning.

View all episodes of The Horse & Hound Podcast

“It’s difficult to describe the feeling because it was such an up and down competition, you didn’t know what was going to come next and it was very exciting” – Joe Stockdale

We then hear from our news team who discuss how the economic situation is affecting the horse world, road safety and maternity leave for riders.

“More than 70% cited the reason they wanted to regime their horses with the Blue Cross is due to the current economic climate” – H&H’s Lucy Elder on how the current economic climate is affecting horse owners.

Finally, farrier Sam Dracott will give us some insight into abscesses in horse’s feet and how best to deal with them.

“These are a real bane of a lot of people’s lives. They can happen to any horse, anywhere at any time and some horses are more prone to them than others” – Sam Dracott

We would love to hear your feedback on all our podcasts, so please do send your thoughts to pippa.roome@futurenet.com

Horse & Hound Podcast: episode 122

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Joe Stockdale takes the reins on talented young stallion: ‘He’s such an exciting horse’

Jennifer Donald — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 11:13:37 +0000

British showjumper Joe Stockdale has taken on the ride on one of the country’s most exciting young horses, the eight-year-old Ebanking.

Barbara Hester’s stallion was previously ridden by Adam Botham. Joe, 22, told H&H he was looking forward to his new partnership with the quality chestnut and the opportunities it brings.

“I’m delighted to have him in my string – he’s such an exciting horse and obviously there’s a lot of talk around him,” said Joe.

“He’s shown some good form at times this year so I’m delighted that Barbara’s put her trust in me to have the ride on him. I’m looking forward to getting him out and seeing how we go.”

According to Joe, the German-bred son of Etoulon has “settled in quickly” at his Northamptonshire yard.

“He has a lovely attitude with everything he does,” Joe told H&H. “It’s early days, so I’m just getting to know him a bit more, but he’s not taken long at all to fit into our system and hopefully it’s going to work with him.”

Joe Stockdale’s plans for Ebanking

Joe, who was part of the bronze medal-winning British team at the World Showjumping Championships this year and is currently competing at the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, Spain, said he’d made “no concrete plans” as to when he and Ebanking would be making their competitive debut together.

“I want to make sure I don’t rush things,” he said. “I’ll get to know him and then, when we’re ready, we’ll make a plan that’s best for him, looking forward to next year.”

Ebanking was a multi-winner in young horse classes last year, proving to be one of the breakthrough showjumping talents in this country. This year, he stepped up impressively to jumping ranking classes, winning most recently in Rome on the Longines Global Champions Tour as well as picking up some big classes on home soil.

Nations Cup Final, JL Dublin’s first international run with new rider and more events to watch this week

Pippa Roome — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 07:32:46 +0000

The Nations Cup Final takes place this week in Spain and a star horse returns to international competition – check out what’s happening this week in equestrianism…

1. Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final, Barcelona, Spain

Dates: 29 September-2 October

More info: csiobarcelona.com

How to watch: ClipMyHorse.TV

Get the H&H lowdown: we’ll bring you the latest news from the three rounds of jumping online as well as a full report in the following week’s issue of the magazine, in the shops Thursday 6 October

Why we’re excited about it: the 2022 series reaches its thrilling climax this weekend with some of the best teams in the world lining up for team honours in the Nations Cup Final. Great Britain is sending Lily Attwood (Cor-Leon VD Vlierbeek Z), William Whitaker on Galtur, Jodie Hall McAteer with Salt’n Peppa, Joe Stockdale riding Equine America Cacharel and Ellen Whitaker (Equine America Spacecake) to fly the flag.

2. Osberton Horse Trials, Nottinghamshire

Dates: 28 September-2 October

More info: schedule on British Eventing website, results on Eventing Scores, or event’s own website

How to watch: live streaming on Horse & Country

Get the H&H lowdown: report in 6 October issue of the magazine

Why we’re excited about it: Osberton has bumper entries for this end-of-year showcase, with over 100 in each of the long format classes and more than 60 in each young horse class. Five-, six- and seven-year-olds go head to head in international classes, with the results often pointing to the stars of tomorrow. Recent Burghley Horse Trials winner Piggy March, Olympic gold medallists Tom McEwen and Oliver Townend, European team gold medallist Kitty King and Australian Tokyo silver medallist Kevin McNab are among the many big names competing.

3. Veteran Horse Society championships, Arena UK, Lincolnshire

Dates: 30 September-2 October

More info: veteran-horse-society.co.uk

Get the H&H lowdown: coverage in 13 October issue of the magazine

Why we’re excited about it: the largest veteran equine event in the UK which hosts the prestigious end of season supreme finals and the acclaimed veteran of the year. Held at Arena UK, the show is hosted over three days and has over 120 classes, across showing, dressage, jumping and fun classes.

4. Childeric Saddles Little Downham (3) and 4) Horse Trials, Cambridgeshire

Dates: 27 September and 1-3 October

More info: schedules on British Eventing website and results on Eventing Scores

Get the H&H lowdown: report in the magazine dated 13 October

Why we’re excited about it: this is actually officially two fixtures, with advanced and CCI4*-S classes on Tuesday 27 September and then everything from GO BE80 up to open intermediates over the following weekend. Recent world bronze medallists Tim and Jonelle Price have six horses between them in the advanced, while the CCI4*-S field includes the likes of Bramham Horse Trials CCI4*-S winner Izilot DHI (Ros Canter) and Monkeying Around, who was long-listed for the eventing World Championships with Izzy Taylor. JL Dublin – who was the European champion under Nicola Wilson and who now has a new rider in Tom McEwen following Nicola’s serious fall at Badminton Horse Trials – will have his first international run with Tom in this class.

World Championship bronze medallist is top Brit in London LGCT thriller, on horse bred by David Broome

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 16:08:38 +0000

The opening CSI5* class at the London leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour was won by Swedish rider Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli, chased home by two members of the British squad for last week’s World Showjumping Championships, Joe Stockdale and John Whitaker, taking second and third respectively.

Tiny fractions separated the leading contenders, who accelerated and twisted round the snaking 1.45m track for Friday’s opening two-phase, and the top three were all drawn late, making for a thrilling finale to the competition.

Joe Stockdale took a late lead with the 12-year-old Kannan gelding, Equine America Kandleford, who was bred by David Broome, only to see his time beaten by 0.25sec by the Swedish athlete on the 10-year-old mare Danna RJ.

An ambitious challenge from John Whitaker with Old Lodge’s 13-year-old Sharid stopped the clock 0.33sec behind to slot into third.

“It feels amazing – it’s always nice to start the week in this way,” said Angelica (pictured below) who was competing at the London LGCT for the first time, fresh from seeing her husband Marlon Modolo Zanotelli representing Brazil at the World Showjumping Championships in Herning, Denmark, last week, where she could also cheer home double gold medal-winning Swedish rider Henrik von Eckermann.

Danna RJ is Brazilian-bred by Quiz Time.

“We bought Danna RJ at the start of her seven-year-old year – it’s always special when you bring them from young horses up to this level,” said Angelica. “When they are young you are always hoping, so to have done it with her makes me very proud.

“What makes her special is that she’s a real fighter. She wants to win so much when she goes in the ring and I know she will always do her best, that’s what’s so important.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

London LGCT: ‘He has his own way of doing things’ says Joe Stockdale

Joe Stockdale, fresh from collecting his team bronze medal at the World Showjumping Championships on Equine America Cacharel, coaxed an electric round from the Colin Garrett-owned 12-year-old Equine America Kandleford, whom he describes as a “real personality”.

“I thought he wouldn’t be far away from winning that, so I’m a bit gutted to finish second, but he jumped fantastic,” said Joe. “He’s feeling very fresh – he hasn’t had a round since he jumped at Hickstead [Royal International Horse Show] a couple of weeks ago because I’ve been away, so he’s a bit short of rounds coming here. But he took it all in his stride which is lovely.

“He’s really improved this year – he was green and he took a bit of time to learn the job. He’s got his own way of doing things and he’s not everyone’s cup of tea – he’s strong and he’s blood at the same time. But he’s found his own way of doing it and he’s been pretty successful. He has a real personality – he doesn’t know he’s a horse! He’s a home-bred from David Broome’s so he’s very people-friendly, loves attention and he’s a friendly character – he’s a nice one to have in the stable.”

Joe revealed that his newly acquired bronze medal already has pride of place on a shelf at home and he’s been inundated with messages since taking to the podium at the World Showjumping Championships last week.

“I can’t keep track of them all at the moment!” he said.

‘I didn’t sleep at all last night’: Joe Stockdale makes great comeback at World Showjumping Championships

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 21:59:49 +0000

Great Britain’s youngest team rider Joe Stockdale and the 11-year-old mare Equine America Cacharel have posted a great round in Friday’s team final of the Agria FEI World Showjumping Championships, just adding four faults to the team score.

The pair looked confident as they attacked Louis Konickx’s tricky track in determined style, just succumbing to the second part of the oxer-oxer double at fence nine in an otherwise foot-perfect performance, and neatly inside the time allowed.

Joe had to bounce back from a disappointing 12-fault round on Thursday, which put him out of contention in the individual World Showjumping Championships results.

“I was laying in bed and replaying that one mistake in my head over and over. I didn’t sleep at all last night,” revealed Joe. “So yeah, it was a tough day yesterday. It was nice to come back today and sort of put it right, nearly.”

Joe said he hadn’t done much differently with the mare, but he adjusted his own preparations after yesterday.

“It was a long competition yesterday and I maybe watched a few too many horses and just started to over-analyse the course and my plan a bit,” he reflected. “So today I walked the course twice, made my plan, sat and watched first few go and then I actually didn’t watch anymore and I really stuck to that plan.

“I think yesterday I was trying so hard to make it perfect, that’s what sort of caused my mistake – this is not really the place to do that.”

Talking about Equine America Cacharel, who the Stockdale family have owned since she was a three-year-old, Joe said: “I’m so proud of her. She was all over it today. And you know, she jumped good enough yesterday – it was only my error that caused those few fences so actually the whole week she’s jumped far better than the scores will look. But certainly, I’ve learnt a lot again at this championship. It would have been nice to put in a clear today, but we weren’t far away.”

Reflecting on Friday’s course, which has provided plenty of drama, Joe said: “There have been fences falling all round the course. So I think it was one of those that snuck up on you a bit and it is maybe a little bit more difficult than you thought at the start. But it’s fantastic course-building.”

Joe has also been bolstered by his team-mates.

“The guys on the team have been amazing,” said Joe. “I was really kicking myself last night and I didn’t want to let them down. Having that result yesterday wasn’t what I came here to do. So they were very good to me – they’ve supported me all day. William Funell was here training me as well. He’s been by my side the whole time.”

Game on: Britain in the hunt as World Championship medals decided tonight

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 08:49:42 +0000

The draw has been made for the team final at the Agria FEI World Showjumping Championships this evening (12 August).

Britain is in sixth place going into today’s competition, and retains yesterday’s order so Ben Maher and Faltic HB, who are in sixth place individually at this stage, are first to go for the team. The 25 combinations who are competing solely as individuals go first, then the first team rider, Marlon Modolo Zanotelli of Brazil, on Like A Diamond Van Het Schaeck, is due in the ring at about 10.05pm local time (9.05pm UK time). Exact times have not been released but allowing two minutes per rider, the approximate times are as follows.

World Showjumping Championships approx times: British riders

Ben Maher and Faltic HB: approx 10.13pm local time, 9.13pm UK time

Joe Stockdale and Equine America Cacharel: approx 10.33pm local time, 9.33pm UK time

Harry Charles and Romeo 88: approx 11.01pm local time, 10.01pm UK time

Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson: approx 11.19pm local time, 10.19pm UK time

Irish riders

Denis Lynch and Brooklyn Heights: approx 10.07pm local time, 9.07pm UK time

Bertram Allen and Pacino Amiro: approx 10.27pm local time, 9.27pm UK time

Cian O’Connor and C Vier 2: approx 10.55pm local time, 9.55pm UK time

Daniel Coyle and Legacy: 8pprox 11.13pm local time, 10.13pm UK time

The last combination to go is Sweden’s Peder Frericson and H&M All In, at about 11.29pm. The final team standings will then be confirmed and the medals presented.

‘We’re still in the hunt’: Britain through to world team final after action-packed day

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 19:16:31 +0000

It could well be a battle for team bronze in the Agria FEI World Showjumping Championships results on Friday, with Sweden and France well ahead in the top two spots, then less than a pole in it among the next eight teams.

Britain is in touching distance going into tomorrow’s (12 August) team final, in sixth place on 14.66 penalties. Scott Brash on Hello Jefferson and Ben Maher and Faltic HB are in second and sixth place respectively in the individual standings, in which again, less than a pole separates the top 14 combinations.

It was a day of ups and downs for both Britain and Ireland, both at times dipping to the bottom of the crucial top 10 that qualify for tomorrow’s team final, but clears from Ben and Scott helped secure Britain’s place with room to spare.

It was a similar story for Ireland, who dropped out of the top 10 at one point, but a clear from Cian O’Connor and C Vier, then a round with no jumping faults but just two time-penalties for Daniel Coyle and Legacy, meant they also head into tomorrow’s final, in ninth place with 17.15.

“I think we’re still in the hunt. The two lads Joe and Harry rode very good rounds,” said Scott. “Just one little mistake each and it can cause two jumps or three jumps [down] from one mistake. And apart from that, they rode really well. They’re both mature lads, great competitors, great teammates.

“I think they’ll really come back tomorrow and [put in] good performances.”

There were surprises aplenty in today’s action at the Agria FEI World Showjumping Championships; the normally super-reliable Martin Fuchs on his European silver medallist Leone Jei tipped a rail and former Olympic champion Steve Guerdat and Venard De Cerisy clocked up eight faults, meaning the Swiss team fell from fifth place overnight to seventh. Belgium, who had been in third place after day one, dropped to fifth, on a team total of 13.49; Nicola Philippaerts and Katnga VH Dingeshof and Gregory Wathelet on Nevados S knocked a rail each, then Jos Verlooy fell when Igor stopped in the combination.

Brazil were flying high in fourth place at one point, but when last rider Bernardo Cardoso de Resende Alves was forced to retire Mosito Van Het Hellehof after the horse resisted, they had to count both Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and Like A Diamond Van Het Schaeck’s, and Pedro Veniss and Nimrod De Muze Z’s, four faults, which meant they slipped to 10th.

It was a strong day for Germany, who had been in sixth place overnight; Marcus Ehning and Stargold, and European champions Andre Thieme and DSP Chakaria jumped clear, so they only added Christian Ahlmann and Dominator 2000 Z’s four faults to their total, to finish the day on 11.76 penalties.

World Showjumping Championships results: day two

Sweden: 3.69
France: 5.44
Germany: 11.76
Netherlands 13.31
Belgium 13.49
Great Britain 14.66
Switzerland 14.83
Canada 15.56
Ireland 17.15
Brazil 17.29

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‘Not the result I wanted’: Joe Stockdale reflects from day two of World Showjumping Championships

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 15:30:28 +0000

Great Britain’s second team rider Joe Stockdale said it was “not the result he wanted” after picking up 12 faults on day two of the Agria FEI World Showjumping Championships in Herning, Denmark, on Thursday (11 August). This means that he drops down the order in the World Showjumping Championships results table.
Joe, 22, who only made his senior championship debut at last year’s Europeans, is riding at his first World Showjumping Championships with the 11-year-old mare Equine America Cacharel.
The pair just picked up four faults in Wednesday’s opening leg and looked to be jumping well round Thursday’s considerably heftier 1.65m track, only to come unstuck at the oxer-vertical-oxer treble combination at fence nine where they hit two rails, also adding four faults at the flimsy planks which followed. Joe then did extremely well to regain his composure and steer the stunning mare “Cash” home round the tricky final line with no extra faults.
“That was obviously not the result I wanted,” said Joe. “I thought my mare was jumping well until there [the treble] – I made a mistake and it basically cost me three fences.”
“It’s good to be here and it would have been nice to go well today – we’ll come back tomorrow and see how we do.”
Joe Stockdale’s 12 faults are added to his 6.39 score from day one, leaving him on an individual score of 18.39 in the World Showjumping Championships results.
Joe followed Ben Maher’s excellent clear with Faltic HB and the remaining two riders for Great Britain, Harry Charles (Romeo 88) and Scott Brash riding Hello Jefferson are still to come.
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World Showjumping Championships day two: when the Brits and Irish will ride

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 06:02:46 +0000

The start lists have been published for today’s (11 August) team competition at the Agria FEI World Showjumping Championships — with Britain drawn last to go.
Britain has changed its order with Ben Maher and Faltic HB, who were in 10th place overnight, first to go for the team. Yesterday’s pathfinders Joe Stockdale and Equine America Cacharel are second, followed by Harry Charles and Romeo 88, with Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson, who come into this round in second place, last to go.
Ireland has been drawn 10th, and keeps the same order as today.
After yesterday’s speed class, all combinations carry their penalties with them to this second qualifier for tomorrow’s team final.
The class starts at 1pm local time (12pm UK time) and exact times for riders have not been released but allowing two minutes per rider, with breaks, the approximate times are:
World Showjumping Championships approx times: British riders
Ben Maher and Faltic HB: approx 2.22pm local time, 1.22pm UK time
Joe Stockdale and Equine America Cacharel: approx 3.42pm local time, 2.42pm UK time
Harry Charles and Romeo 88: approx 5.06pm local time, 4.06pm UK time
Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson: approx 6.24pm local time, 5.24pm UK time
Irish riders:
Denis Lynch and Brooklyn Heights: approx 1.18pm local time, 12.18pm UK time
Bertram Allen and Pacino Amiro: approx 2.46pm local time, 1.46 UK time
Cian O’Connor and C Vier 2: approx 4.38pm local time, 3.38pm UK time
Daniel Coyle and Legacy: approx 6.02pm local time, 5.02 UK time
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‘We’re happy this evening’: Britain in superb position at World Showjumping Championships

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 16:56:55 +0000

Britain’s showjumpers got off to a superb start in Herning, with two riders in the top 10 of the Agria World Showjumping Championships results and the team in fourth place overnight.
Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson, the last British pair to go, put in a superb clear in the opening speed round to take overall second place, 0.23 penalties behind overnight French leaders Julien Epaillard on Caracole De La Roque.
Ben Maher and Faltic HB are in 10th place overnight, on 1.72 penalties. The scores from today are worked out so that Julien has 0 penalties, and the scores of all those behind him are calculated compared to his.
Harry Charles and Romeo 88, who just caught the last fence, are in 48th place on 4.71 penalties, while Joe Stockdale and Equine America Cacharel, who caught one unlucky rail, are in 65th on 6.39.
In the team World Showjumping Championships results, Sweden are in first place on a total of 3.69 penalties; Peder Fredricson and H&M All In are in fourth on 0.4 and Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward are fifth with 0.58. France are in second place overnight on 5.44 and Belgium third with 5.59, with Britain hot on their heels in fourth place on 6.66.
British Showjumping performance manager Di Lampard told H&H it was a “super start”.
“To have two in the top 10,” she said. “Harry was unlucky at the last fence and Joe had just a toe on that back rail; he’ll gain confidence from today and we’re looking forward to tomorrow. We’re happy this evening.”
Ireland are in 11th place overnight; although the first three combinations jumped clear and their fourth rider Daniel Coyle, with Legacy, clipped just one rail, the calculation of penalties from points and time put them on a score of 11.15.
Individual leader Julien said he was very happy with Top Stallions Company’s 10-year-old Zandor Z x Kannan mare, whom he has been riding for about a year.
“She was very relaxed today; she listened to me super,” he said. “I had my plan; we always have a plan A and today I didn’t need to use the plan B so that was a good start for me! I hope the mare isn’t too flat for the two rounds of the Nations Cup, but the feeling was good.”
Julien added: “She’s an amazing mare. She has a lot of blood, she’s careful and scopey. But, okay, she’s a mare. She’s not always really easy to ride. But every day, more and more she takes experience. She’s only 10, and every day she’s more easy to ride.
“She’s a very good mare, with a very good head. She doesn’t look at anything, maybe a little bit more at the public and the scenes outside; the fences normally are not a problem.
“We did the job today. We will try to do it again tomorrow.”
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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

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