Robert Whitaker and Equine America Vermento have made history at Hickstead as the first combination to win the Al Shira’aa King George V Gold Cup three times for over half a century.

Not since the mighty Harry Llewellyn and Foxhunter lifted the trophy in 1948, 1950 and 1953 had the same horse and rider won this five-star grand prix three times, but the 2023 and 2025 champions were victorious again this year.

Robert and Stephen and Caroline Blatchford’s 13-year-old Argento stallion jumped the faster of only two double clears to finish ahead of Brazil’s Stephanie Maciera and Novak De Kalvarie, and Canadian Nicole Walker and Panter JVH third.

“I got a bit emotional,” Robert said. “To win this with him three times – he’s amazing. Amazing.”

Only five combinations of 49 starters had conquered Kelvin Bywater’s first-round track, of whom Robert and Vermento were the first. They gave what could have been an exhibition round in this arena they know so well, and although Robert said he thought there would be more clears, rider after rider was caught out. Faults came all over the course, although the double of ditches and the white gates caught plenty out, and seven riders retired.

Robert and Vermento were first to go in the jump-off and again showed just why they have been such a success in this class, from their big open shot to the first oxer to a cracking turn to the two remaining elements of the combination to a perfect angled gallop round the open water to the last.

Next in was Nicole and her own 11-year-old stallion. They were fast and forward from before the start line, each turn a shade tighter, and they were up on the clock until that turn by the water. The slightest of slips behind – and heartbreakingly, the last rail landed on the turf.

Stephanie and Bonne Chance Farm’s 13-year-old jumped a beautiful polished clear a shade slower than Robert, then Jack Whitaker and Candice Reilly’s brilliant Jack JL had two down. Last to go, Jessica Mendoza and Summerhouse were looking on super form but the third fence fell late, and they went on to have three more fences down.

“To win it three times is incredible,” Robert said. “He jumped so good in the first round, and in the jump-off I was obviously first to go. I know this ring is very big and open, and it’s easy to knock one down, so I just wanted to do a good, safe round, and it paid off.

“He’s jumped here since he was a young horse and knows this ring inside out, and I think that really helps. There are so many elements on this course; the double of ditches, the water, the double of gates causes problems, and when you can jump those comfortably, it makes the rest of the course easy. I can ride to those fences knowing he can do it, and that makes a huge difference.”

Robert said his jump-off round was not as fast as he might have hoped.

“But it’s a big ring and easy to have one down, and that saved us in the end,” he said. “He’s unbelievable. He’s made history.”

Stephanie was very pleased with her first trip to the All England Jumping Course; she and Novak De Kalvarie had also jumped two four-fault rounds to help Brazil to finish just off the podium in the Nations Cup, and this was their best CSI5* grand prix result to date.

“It was my first time here, and we did a great Nations Cup,” she said. “Me and this horse are stepping up to this level; we started doing five-stars this year, and he’s getting better and better.

“I’m very pleased with him, very happy, and I really like the show and the atmosphere, and so different. I’m very happy with second place.”

Nicole and Panter are also relatively new to this level and this was again their best grand prix result, as well as their first European five-star grand prix.

“It’s incredible to be part of the Whitaker history,” said Nicole, as thanks to Donald’s 2024 win with Millfield Collette, the King George V Gold Cup has not been out of Whitaker hands since 2022. “To be third to them is amazing, I’ll take that!”

Nicole said the slight slip was unlucky, adding: “Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you have slips but the footing here is great. My horse made an amazing effort and I’m so proud of him. I ended up doing one more stride [to the last] but I’m so happy with him and our third place. I’ve had him four years and we’ve grown together, which is really nice.”

An amazing week

Nicole paid tribute to the support she had from chef d’equipe “Captain Canada” Ian Millar, who was last at Hickstead as a rider 44 years ago, and her coach Gerry Mullins, who knows the ring inside out.

“It’s been an amazing week,” she said. “The team is so supportive of each other, it’s great to be back here after 44 years, and it’s such an iconic special venue. It really was an honour to be here, and so much fun and a great experience for all of us.”

Robert, who thanked his “fantastic” owners for all their support, joins his father John as a three-time winner of the King George V Gold Cup – but his uncle Michael is still ahead.

“Michael said he’s won it four times – so I’ll have to win it again, won’t I!” he said.

Hickstead director Edward Bunn joked that the man who engraves all the venue’s major trophies thinks it is only Whitakers who compete here.

“It was a fantastic sport,” he said. “Five clear rounds, 15 four-faulters. That’s also testament to the course-building team led by Kelvin and Ben [Townley] to produce world-class sport, and I don’t think you’ll see anything better. Thank you, and we’ll see you all again next year.”

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Robert Whitaker joined an elite group of riders to have lifted both the Derby and the Al Shira’aa King George V gold cup in the same year when he retained his stranglehold on Hickstead’s classics with a masterful performance on Vermento.

Rob and Caroline Blatchford’s stallion have now seized this CSIO 5* grand prix at the Agria Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) twice in the past three years, while Rob also claimed this year’s Derby with Gentlemen VH Veldhof.

“I was really confident today and sometimes you have these rounds that don’t work but my round worked everywhere, every turn, every stride I got was at the right moment,” Rob said.

It was a strong week for Whitakers; Rob’s cousin James won the Queen’s Cup on Just Call Me Henry — who, like Vermento, is sired by John Whitaker’s Argento — and two of them remained in the running for this €54,500 grand prix, making up half the four-man jump-off field.

There was a lot of class on show from the Brits in the first round; five combinations missed out by just four faults — John Whitaker (Equine America Unique Du Francport), Matthew Sampson (Daniel), Jane Annett (Jywan), Mark Edwards (Dillinger) and Sammie-Jo Coffin, who had a foot in the water with the very consistent Chaccomo Blue.

But it was Rob’s cousin Donald, last year’s winner on Millfield Collette, who delivered the only other British clear, this time riding the 14-year-old gelding Di Caprio.

They were joined by Ireland’s Jordan Coyle (Chaccolino) and the UAEs Omar Abdul Aziz AL Marzooqi riding the exciting 11-year-old Enjoy De La Mure.

High-stakes jump off delivers drama

The jump-off round Kelvin Bywater and Ben Townley’s track was packed with drama, and demanded all the quality you’d expect for this historic class, whose solid gold trophy dates back to 1911.

First out Jordan and the 14-year-old Chacco Blue x Heartbreaker gelding attacked the course in a lovely open rhythm to set a worthy benchmark in 40.17sec.

“I don’t think I could have done anything differently, unfortunately!” said Jordan, who finished thirf. “I probably couldn’t have gone faster or had that round again, even if I had another 20 attempts at it. The horse has been amazing recently, for the past six months he’s been clear every round he’s jumped but he’s just not the fastest.”

Luck wasn’t shining on next-in Donald this year, his brilliant start on Di Caprio was quashed at the double, when the gelding pecked on landing jumping in and had to be pulled out of the second part.

It left the door open for Rob, who executed a scything line round the water to the closing oxer to axe 1.29sec off Jordan’s time.

“I watched Jordan’s round and I didn’t really need to see anything after that, he did all the distances that I thought I was going to do and I knew I needed to be a bit similar to him,” Rob said. “Vermento is a big horse, but somehow he’s actually quite fast. I’ve been fast indoors with him as well, when you’d think he wouldn’t be, I think he’s just quick across the ground.”

But there was still one more rider, Omar, between Rob and glory and the UAE’s Al-Shira’aa-backed team, trained by William Funnell, are a growing force on the international stage.

His round on the world-class Enjoy De La Mure was up on the clock, until he opted to take a check at the final oxer, crossing the line 0.86sec behind.

“To be honest, in the jump-off I just wanted to be clear because I’ve been unlucky the past couple of jump0offs and speed classes and I had the last fence twice in the Nations Cup,” he said. “Classes like this give you confidence and I will definitely be back for more.”

Rob’s performance ranks among the elite

Only three other — legendary — combinations have matched Rob’s performance in winning the Derby and King’s Cup in the same year. The first were while the events were at different venues: David Broome with Mr Softee in 1966 and Harvey Smith with Mattie Brown in 1970.

The only rider to manage the feat after both events moved to Hickstead in 1992 was Rob’s uncle Michael, who landed them that year with Monsanta and Midnight Madness.

“He’s good, him!” Rob quipped.

Rob’s double King George victories are now also close to rivalling his father John’s three triumphs in the class: with Ryan’s Son in 1986, Milton in 1990 and Welham in 1997.

“I don’t think he’ll be giving me any other horses to ride now!” Rob added.

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What a week it’s been for the Whitaker family at this year’s Longines Royal International Horse Show. The party had barely died down after Friday’s jubilant British Nations Cup celebrations before Hickstead erupted with delight once again on Sunday afternoon (30 July). This time the object of their appreciation was Robert Whitaker, a very worthy winner of an attritional Longines King George V Gold Cup showjumping competition with the only double clear on a horse who was bred by his father John Whitaker.

It doesn’t get much better than that in this sport, and the tears that flowed in the aftermath revealed just what it meant for both father and son, and everyone at Hickstead.

“This is just amazing,” said an emotional Robert after lifting the solid gold trophy, which has his father John’s name etched on it three times and uncle Michael Whitaker four times, but Robert is the first Whitaker for more than a quarter of a century to add his name to the silverware.

Robert, who first jumped at Hickstead as a toddler in the under-10s, revealed just why it was such an emotional day for the family.

“My dad loves the sport so much – and everybody loves him,” he said, wiping away a tear.

King George V Gold Cup showjumping: ‘Unbelievable’

A field of nine came forward for the jump-off for Sunday’s King George V Gold Cup, with a top prize of over 50,000 euro, but faults flowed thick and fast in the rainy conditions until it became obvious that anyone who could jump a second clear would be in with the chance of some serious prize money.

Robert and Vermento, a 10-year-old son of Argento – John Whitaker’s top ride for many years – were quick out of the starting blocks and you could tell this was a man on a mission. Had his father John offered any good advice before he went in?

“When he’s in the jump-off with me he doesn’t speak to me at all!” said Robert. “But he told me the course was jumping tough today.

“Vermento is 10, so we’ve put a lot of work into him. But that was his first five-star grand prix. He was amazing. Before the first round I was actually really nervous because you never know what’s going to happen in that ring. But he’s jumped smaller classes in this ring so he’s well used to it.

“In the jump-off, I just wanted to get in a good rhythm and not go too slow but not overcook it either,” added Robert. “He felt really well today.”

An anxious wait for King George winner Robert Whitaker

Robert endured an anxious wait after crossing the line clear in 56.70sec as there were still three of the world’s fastest riders behind him and he and his father took refuge in the commentary box. But as soon as the planks fell for final rider Daniel Coyle and Gisbourne VDL, the celebrations erupted once again.

An emotional John Whitaker said: “I’m the breeder of the horse and the breeder of the rider! But this is just unbelievable. That was special, just amazing.”

Vermento has long been an exciting prospect and today he really came of age. This is a very special partnership.

Finishing second as the fastest four-faulter was Pedro Veniss of Brazil riding Nimrod De Muze Z, while Sweden’s Amanda Landeblad took third on the British-produced For Killy.

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Five-star international showjumping classes, including the Nations Cup and King George V Gold Cup, will not take place at the Royal International Horse Show (20-25 July) at Hickstead this year as a reduced show format is announced for 2021.

In a statement today (21 April) the organisers of the All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, said the “difficult decision” had been made to run RIHS under a new format for this season, owing to the ongoing Covid situation and restrictions on international travel.

The show would usually host five-star international showjumping classes in front of crowds of up to 50,000 across six days.

“For this year only, the RIHS will run as a two-star international event, with showjumping classes aimed at British-based riders. The national classes, such as the British Showjumping winter finals, will remain part of the fixture, and the Science Supplements BHS Queen Elizabeth II Cup moves to the premier position of Sunday afternoon to form the feature class of the show,” read the statement.

The showing classes will run as a normal, with a range of different sections, concluding in Sunday’s supreme championships.

Hickstead director Lizzie Bunn said the organisers had “so hoped” to return to normality this season, but the ongoing uncertainty combined with restrictions on travel made it impossible to run the RIHS in its usual format.

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“Having already made the decision to run the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting as a national show, it’s so disappointing to also have to cancel our showcase classes from our July fixture – however the cost implications of staging a five-star international event under restricted conditions made it unviable,” she said.

“In addition, we normally welcome athletes from the leading showjumping nations around the world to compete at this event, but this was not going to be possible without seriously affecting all the other rings and classes.”

The statement added it is hoped that some crowds will be allowed by the time of the show, but details of public attendance and ticketing will be announced nearer the time. There will be a selection of tradestands in attendance, and some hospitality options will be available.

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Germany’s David Will was victorious in the Longines BHS King George V Gold Cup on the final day of the Longines Royal International Horse Show (28 July).

Riding the nine-year-old gelding Never Walk Alone, the 31-year-old stopped the clock in a time of 43.73 seconds.

However there was a late change to the placings — locally-based Irish rider Michael Duffy and Mullaghrin Touch The Stars posted the second fastest time to cheers from the Hickstead crowd. But as the competitors prepared for the presentation, news filtered back that Michael had been eliminated under the blood rule.

This meant he dropped to fifth, with Sweden’s Peder Fredricson (Zacramento) and Fredrik Jonsson (Cold Play) moving up to take second and third respectively.

David said this was “definitely” one of his biggest wins.

“We were just talking about how there are really big footsteps to follow here, so it is very special to be on the trophy,” said David, adding he “couldn’t be happier”.

“This is only our fourth show together. I competed in Poland last weekend, where he won the grand prix, and I didn’t plan him for the grand prix here.”

He explained the horse he had originally planned to ride had a slight temperature earlier in the week, so he decided to see if Never Walk Alone would step up to the mark.

“It turned out to be great,” said David. “I thought he jumped both rounds exceptionally well. It is a very special ring and a horse has to really be brave to try his best — the water is spooky as is the double of Liverpools (rail over ditches), so I’m very pleased with how he went.”

Ground jury president Jon Doney told the press conference that ground jury felt there was “absolutely no intention” from Michael to harm his horse.

“Sadly there was blood on the flank and that is automatic elimination,” he added.

This comes under article 241.3.30 of the FEI jumping rules.

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Paul Connor’s testing course resulted in five clears going forwards to the jump-off. Such was the quality of the international field that no combinations added a single fault to their clean sheets, meaning the final result came down to time.

Olympic individual and team silver medallist Peder Fredricson was first to go against the clock, completing the course in a time of 45.28 with his Hickstead Nations Cup-winning ride.

Team-mate Fredrick Jonsson was slightly wider on the turns to stop the clock just behind in a time of 48.28.

Best of the Brits went to sixth placed Guy Williams and Rouge De Ravel, who were unlucky to miss out on a jump-off spot as they clipped a rail at the double of ditches at 11a.

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Brazil continued its domination of the Royal International Horse Show this week after Yuri Mansur took a convincing victory in the King George V Gold Cup today (Sunday, 30 July).

Riding the ultra talented 11-year-old mare Babylotte, Yuri was last to go in the jump off, where a clear round was required to win.

The pair left all the towering 1.60m fences intact and Yuri’s willing ride did not look like she was going to touch a thing.

The Holland-based Brazilian, who was making his first visit to Hickstead, said: “It’s just a dream, I can’t believe it. I came here in 1999 to watch the European Championships and said I wanted to come back one day to ride here.

“I have no words to describe this horse, when I first got her she was jumping 1.45m classes and hated jumping on grass, now she just keeps improving more and more.”

Keith Shore flew the British flag against the clock aboard his 14-year-old Mystic Hurricane (pictured, below), having been the first from the huge 46-rider field to produce a clear in the first round. They finished eventual third behind Dutch rider Ruben Romp (Audi’s Teavanta II CZ) — both knocking a pole down.

Fourth place went to Germany’s Patrick Stühlmeyer, who finished on eight penalties with Lacan 2.

They were the only four combinations to make it through to the jump off.

Kelvin Bywater’s testing 16-fence track caused plenty of problems resulting in a hard-fought competition.

The bogey fence was a double of white gates at nine, with a big square oxer on a related distance before it. This is where the majority of riders faulted including Guy Williams (Rouge De Ravel), John Whitaker (Talisman De Mazure) and Shane Breen (Golden Hawk).

Drama came early on in the week’s feature class, when Robert Smith was unseated at the water jump. Things where going to plan for the Brit, when the 12-year-old mare put down in the water, pecking and throwing Robert over her head before cantering around the arena bridleless.

Likewise, fellow British rider Yazmin Pinchen and the 14-year-old stallion Van De Vivaldi were enjoying a great round — accomplishing the tricky double of white gates before the stallion took a dislike to the water jump at fence 10, where they were eliminated.

Hickstead Derby winners Nigel Coupe and Golvers Hill also fell foul of the white gates at nine to finish with eight penalties.

Don’t miss the full report from the Royal International Horse Show in Horse & Hound, on sale Thursday, 3 August.

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The main talking point for me the past couple of weeks has been the fact I’m currently sitting out with a 12-day ban.

It was very straightforward — I made a mistake and took the wrong course at Exeter — but it is very disappointing to miss the Christmas period [I’m off from 19 December until 2 January]. However, I just have to get on with it.

I do think a 12-day ban is quite harsh, as it was a genuine mistake, but the rules have to be followed and it was no one else’s fault — I am just annoyed with myself.

We bypassed the fence on the first circuit — as the first obstacle you tackle can’t be a water jump — and I took the same route the second time around. I realised straight away and pulled up but it was very frustrating.

Fortunately for the connections, the horse [Benbane Head] won the next time out at Cheltenham.

As this goes to press on 23 December, by the time H&H comes out the King George will have taken place. I would have been riding Menorah (pictured) in the race, and both him and Philip Hobbs’ other horse, Wishfull Thinking both have great chances.

Tom O’Brien is a class jockey and is proving an able replacement, so I only hope I’ve still got a job to go back to!

While I’m off I’ve been doing some presenting for Channel 4 Racing. I wouldn’t say being on camera was second nature to me, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes.

I’ll also be working with Channel 4 for the Welsh National and at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. I’m pleased to have been asked as it keeps me involved in the sport while I’m off.

The upside of the ban, however, is that I can enjoy the full Christmas refreshments and entertainment more than usual.

I’ll be hunting on Christmas Eve, my wife Fiona will be riding Looks Like Trouble, while I’ll probably be leading my daughter on her pony.

A gritty performance

It was great to see Reve De Sivola win his third Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot before Christmas. It was another ride I would have had — I’ve won the past two renewals on him — but it was a great training performance from Nick Williams to get him to that level. He’s on good form and it’s a huge effort and shows what a tough horse he is. Not many horses can emulate Big Buck’s and win it three times.

Small fields

The British Horseracing Authority is putting plans in place to combat the issue of small fields.

There was a good piece in the Racing Post recently in which Venetia Williams commented that in France the prize money is spread across the first six runners rather than the first two or three. Whatever level you’re at it is always an incentive to have some kind financial reward.

We’ve had such good weather for so long that there have been no missed fixtures — which means horses are spread around more and you have smaller fields. You can’t predict that — had they cut down the number of fixtures and it had been bad weather, then the sport could have been struggling.

As a jockey small fields are clearly beneficial as there’s nothing to get in our way, and you have more chance of picking up prize money.

But bigger fields are better for the bookies, which are obviously a massive side of racing, and for the general public. Races with eight or so runners are more exciting than those that have just two or three, and I agree that televised racing should be as competitive as possible for spectators.

Last week at Olympia there was a Flat jockeys vs jump jockeys challenge, in which both teams took part in a relay over showjumps against the clock.

The jumps boys won by about 22 seconds — I’d said National Hunt jockeys are a bit more competitive, and that showed as they flew around the course.

John Francome is not the youngest now but he was amazing to watch. He has brilliant horsemanship and his style has not been lost.

The competition raised money for the Injured Jockeys Fund too, which is a great cause, and celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 1 January 2015

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This year’s Longines Royal International Horse Show was as good as any— I never heard a complaint from anyone, so that’s got to be a good sign. Edward Bunn and his team deserve credit once again because the ground was unbelievable, the horses love jumping on it — it’s the best ring in the world.

The standard in the King’s Cup was very high — it was a difficult course so I certainly didn’t expect 14 clears. Maybe the time could have been a bit shorter in the first round, but it was pretty fair — I don’t like it when it’s desperately short on time because it takes the jumping out of the class.

I’m happy to see the ladies come out in front at last. The class is basically a grand prix, so all the best riders should be in it and Beezie’s one of them (pictured above with Cortes C). But Bertram Allen’s performance was unbelievable too. He’s a real competitor.

I was second to go in the jump-off so had to have a right go and Amai just touched one fence and it came down. But he’s on great form and loves these big rings. Adventure De Kannan is the same — as you saw when he and Trevor Breen won the Queen’s Cup on Saturday, they can get a really nice canter up and always go well here. I bet Trevor’s horse would go really well in the vast ring at Aachen too.

The Nations Cup was disappointing and I don’t understand why, at our home leg, Ben Maher and Scott Brash weren’t on their top horses.

But the only horse that didn’t jump to his best in it was Robert Whitaker’s Catwalk IV. But then he came back and won the day after and jumped clear again on Sunday. Jessie Drea’s horse unfortunately had an easy fence in both rounds and, for a young horse, Guy Williams’ Zaire coped very well with it all. Ben’s horse just spooked at the water — that’s something you can’t avoid in that ring, but he jumped very well to get round otherwise.

But to win these Nations Cups, you have to be able to produce clear rounds and USA proved it. They are always strong at the big championships and with Beezie Madden and McLain Ward, two of the best riders in the world, on the team, they’re always going to be the ones to beat.

This guest column was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (7 August, 2014)

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Ben Maher triumphed against a top class international field in the Longines King George V Gold Cup at Hickstead’s Longines Royal International Horse Show today.

Until now this prestigious and historic grand prix was one of the major showjumping titles that had eluded the Olympic gold medallist.

A delighted Ben said: “There are a few big classes that every showjumper wants to win — the Hickstead Derby and the King’s Cup are two of them. I’ve come close to winning this a couple of times so it feels great to have finally done it.”

Coming into the competition following a disappointing performance in the Nations Cup on Friday, Tripple X III was far from favourite among the 49 starters.

“After Friday’s performance, I didn’t even know if I should be in the class today,” admitted Ben. “He had been jumping well prior to the FEI Nations Cup, so I didn’t know where [the disappointing performance] came from.

“I went home scratching my head, and decided to change his bit for today. I wouldn’t normally change it before such an important competition, but I know every hair on his body and I knew it was right for him. He enjoyed his job today and I felt like I had my horse back.”

Only three riders jumped clear around tricky 1.60m first round, with Germany’s Marcus Ehning (Copin van de Broy) and Ukraine’s Ulrich Kirchhoff (Carlina) joining Ben in the jump-off.

First to go, Ben went clear in 48.88sec — a time which looked potentially beatable. A fence down knocked Ulrich out of contention. Marcus set off determinedly and stopped the clock with a faster time than Ben, but also picked up 4 faults, handing the win to the British rider.

Full report on all the showjumping and showing action from Hickstead, plus dressage from Dressage at Hickstead, in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 8 August

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We dig into the H&H archives to bring you pictures of the past 24 winners of the historic King George V Gold Cup

The historic King George V Gold Cup is one of the most prestigious prizes in British showjumping.

Held annually at the Longines Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead, the grand prix class was open to male riders only until 2008. Lady riders became eligible to compete for the beautiful trophy in that year, but showjumping fans had to wait seven years before ​Beezie Madden became the first lady to lift the famous trophy aloft in 2014.

Whose name will be added to the hall of fame in 2015? Whoever they are, they will join an illustrious list of elite showjumpers reaching back to Russia’s Dimitri d’Exe, the class’s inaugural winner back in 1911.

King George V Gold Cup winners hall of fame

1911: Piccolo (Dimitri d’Exe) RUS

1912: Murat (Lt Delvoie) BEL

1913: Amazone (Baron de Maelon) FRA

1914: Amazone (Baron de Maelon) FRA

1920: Dignite (Auguste de Laissardiere) FRA

1921: Combined Training (Geoffrey Brooke)

1922: Bluff (Conte Giacomo Antonelli) ITA

1923: Grey Fox (Auguste de Laissardiere) FRA

1924: Don Chisciotte (Coonte Giulio Borsaelli di Riffredo) ITA

1925: Broncho (Malise Graham) GBR

1926: Ballymacshane (Fred Bontecou) USA

1927: Quinine (Xavier Bizard) FRA

1928: Forty Six (A G Martyr) GBR

1929: Mandarin (Hubert Gibault) FRA

1930: Chelsea (Jack Talbot-Ponsonby) GBR

1931: The Parson (Jacques Misonne) BEL

1932: Chelsea (Jack Talbot-Ponsonby) GBR

1933: Best Girl (Jack Talbot-Ponsonby) GBR

1934: Tramore Bay (John Lewis) IRE

1935: Limerick Lace (Jed O’Dwyer) IRE

1937: Honduras (Xavier Bizard) FRA

1938: Derek (John Friedberger) GBR

1939: Adigrat (Conte Alessandro Bettoni-Cazzago) ITA

1947: Marquis III (Pierre Jonquerer d’Oriola) FRA

1948: Foxhunter (Harry Llewellyn) GBR

1949: Tankard (Brian Butler) GBR

1950: Foxhunter (Harry Llewellyn) GBR

1951: Ballyneety (Kevin Barry) IRE

1952: Grecieux (Carlos Fiqueroa) ESP

1953: Foxhunter (Harry Llewellyn) GBR

1954: Meteor (Fritz Thiedemann) GER

1955: Brando (Luigi Cartasegna) ITA

1956: First Boy (William Steinkraus) USA

1957: Uruguay (Piero d’Inzeo) ITA

1958: Master William (Hugh Wiley) USA

1959: Nautical (Hugh Wiley) USA

1960:Sunsalve (David Broome) GBR

1961: The Rock (Piero d’Inzeo) ITA

1962: The Rock (Piero d’Inzeo) ITA

1963: Dundrum (Tommy Wade) IRE

1964: Sinjon (William Steinkraus) USA

1965: Fortun (Hans Gunter Winkler) GER

1966: Mister Softee (David Broome) GBR

1967: Firecrest (Peter Robeson) GBR

1968: Enigk (Hans Gunter Winkler) GBR

1969: Uncle Max (Ted Edgar) GBR

1970: Mattie Brown (Harvey Smith) GBR

1971: Askan (Gerd Wiltfang) GER

1972: Sportsman (David Broome) GBR

1973: Pennwood Forge Mill (Paddy McMahon) GBR

1974: Mainspring (Frank Chapot) USA

1975: Rex the Robber (Alvin Schockemohle) GER

1976: Chainbridge (Mike Saywell) GBR

1977: Philco (David Broome) GBR

1978: Claret (Jeff McVean) AUS

1979: Video (Robert Smith) GBR

1980: Scorton (David Bowen) GBR

1981: Mr Ross (David Broom) GBR

1982: Disney Way (Michael Whitaker) GBR

1983: Deister (Paul Schockemohle) GER

1984: St. James (Nick Skelton) GBR

1985: Towerlands Anglezarke (Malcolm Pyrah) GBR

1986: Next Ryans Son (John Whitaker) GBR

1987: Towerlands Anglezarke (Malcom Pyrah) GBR

1988: Brook St. Boysie (Robert Smith) GBR

1989: Next Didi (Michael Whitaker) GBR

1990: Henderson Milton (John Whitaker) GBR

1991: Lannegan (David Broome) GBR

1992: Everest Midnight Madness (Michael Whitaker) GBR

1993: Everest Limited Edition (Nick Skelton) GBR

1994: Everest Midnight Magic (Michael Whitaker) GBR

1995: Heather Blaze (Robert Splaine) IRL

1996: Cathleen (Nick Skelton) GBR

1997: Virtual Village Welham (John Whitaker) GBR

1998: Senator Mighty Blue (Robert Smith) GBR

1999: Hopes are High (Nick Skelton) GBR

2000: Ballaseyr Twilight (Cameron Hanley) IRE

2001: Glasgow (Norman Dello Joio) USA

2002: Champion du Lys (Ludger Beerbaum) GER

2003 Carling King (Keving Babington) IRE

2004: Farina (Rene Tebbel) GER

2005: Armani (Jeffrey Welles) USA

2006: Ideal de la Loge (Roger-Yves Bost) FRA

2007: Jubilee D’Ouilly (Aymeric de Ponnat) FRA

2008: Clausen (Holger Wulschner) GER

2009: Murka’s Pall Mall H (Peter Charles) GBR

2010: Fresh Direct Kalico Bay (Tim Stockdale) GBR

2011: Uceko (Kent Farrington) USA

2012: Cerona (Hendrik-Jan Schuttert) NED

2013: Tripple X III (Ben Maher) GBR

2014: Cortes C (Beezie Madden) USA

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In honour of the naming of Prince George, we take a look at equestrian events in the UK named for his forefathers — King George V and King George VI

Will Prince George — the future King George VII — be making appearances at Royal Windsor Horse Show? Or will his name come to prefix a highlight of the racing or showjumping calandars? Here’s how his great, great grandfathers left their mark on the equestrian world.

King George V Gold Cup

The King George V Gold Cup — a highlight of the international showjumping calendar — takes place at the Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead, on Sunday 4 August 2013.

King George V became patron of the show in 1911, and presented the inaugural trophy.

David Broome won the cup six times between 1960 and 1991, and both Michael Whitaker and Nick Skelton (pictured right) have taken the title four times each.

King George VI Chase

The King George VI Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt race for horses of four years old and over. Deemed one of the most important races of the season, the King George VI Chase runs at Kempton Park Racecourse each year on Boxing Day.

Popular past winners include One Man, Best Mate, Desert Orchid and Kauto Star.

King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes

King George Day at Ascot (27 July, 2013) is a highlight of the flat racing calendar. The day’s feature race is the Group 1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, commemorative of Her Majesty The Queen’s late parents.

More commonly known as “The King George”, this race is worth 1 million pounds.

The King’s Troop

The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery was named by King George VI, who insisted — following the advent of mechanised artillery — that a troop of horse artillery was kept for ceremonies of state.

Royal Windsor Horse Show

Though not named for King George VI, the monarch was patron of Royal Windsor Horse Show from 1944. Her Majesty The Queen — then Princess Elizabeth — won the Single Private Driving class at the inaugural event with her pony, Hans, while Princess Margaret headed the Wartime Utility Driving Class with the King’s Fell pony, Gipsy.

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Lady show jumpers have responded with shock and sadness to news that the historic Queen Elizabeth II Cup show jumping class is to be scrapped in its current form.

The competition — Britain’s only ladies’ international class, which began in 1949 and takes place at Hickstead’s Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) — will in future be downgraded to a national class open to both sexes.

Five-times winner of the trophy Liz Edgar told H&H that she was appalled by the decision.

“This is a big shock. I am totally appalled. The Queen’s Cup is a piece of show jumping history we cannot afford to lose,” she said.

“It is the best cup in England to win for the lady riders, something really special. If they couldn’t continue to run it as it was at Hickstead, they should have put it into another competition.”

Di Lampard, who won the cup in 1994 and 1998, said: “When you look at the list of great names on the cup, it’s such a shame that it’s being downgraded in this way.”

But she added that the competition had always been let down by the poor prize-money on offer (£6,000 last year) in comparison to the men’s equivalent class, the King George V Cup (£15,000 last year).

The Queen’s Cup has a long and celebrated history and has been won by many of show jumping’s most famous lady riders, including Marion Mould, who won three times, Pat Smythe, Caroline Bradley and Jessica Kurten.

The move apparently comes at the behest of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). It said that instead, the men-only King George V international class will now be open to both sexes.

“The idea of having two classes, segregated by sex, was contrary to the way the FEI likes to do things,” said a spokesman. “We were particularly concerned that the prize-money for the men’s class was three times that for the women’s. So there will be one grand prix this year.”

Lizzie Bunn, show secretary of Hickstead, confirmed that the King’s Cup, running for the 97th time this year, will be the only grand prix class at the Royal International in July.

The prize-money for the King’s Cup will be increased to £60,000 — from £45,000 last year — with £20,000 to the winner.

The prize-fund for the new-style Queen’s Cup class has yet to be decided and a sponsor is sought.

“The King George V Gold Cup will now be open to all the qualifying international and British riders at the show and the Queen Elizabeth II Cup will be open to the top 25 riders qualifying through the BSJA’s international trial list,” said Ms Bunn.

“This gives the county shows a prestigious final at the RIHS and offers an opportunity to some of the second-tier male riders who were not able to compete before.”

Nick Skelton, who won the King’s Cup in 1984, 1993 and 1999, welcomed the idea of a single grand prix competition at the Royal International, but would like to see the Hickstead Derby — the biggest cash prize show jumping class in Britain, with £40,000 to the winner — moved from its June slot to the RIHS programme.

“I think this change is as it should be, a single grand prix, with more prize-money, but the highest-placed woman [in that class] should win the Queen’s Cup,” said Nick. “And we should include the Derby in the show. Then more international riders would take part.”

History of the Queen’s Cup

1949: The Queen Elizabeth II Cup is presented in perpetuity to the Royal International Horse Show (held at White City) by The Queen in 1949. It was originally called the Princess Elizabeth Cup. First winner was Iris Kellet of Ireland with Rusty who won £30.

1960: RIHS and the Queen’s Cup competition move to Wembley

1971: A second win for Marion Mould and Stroller. Mrs Mould wins again in 1976 on Elizabeth Ann

1982: RIHS moves to the NEC Birmingham

1986: A fifth win for Liz Edgar on three different horses

1991: RIHS moves to Hickstead

2007: Won by Tina Fletcher on Overa — her third win. Mrs Fletcher won £6,000

2008: Cup to be downgraded to a national class

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (14 February, ’08)

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