Young British showjumper Olli Fletcher enjoyed a year to remember in 2024. The pinnacle was winning individual gold at the European young rider championships with his great horse Hello William, which he described as “up there as the best day”.

Olli was also crowned young rider of the year at the 2024 Horse & Hound Awards, in partnership with NAF and Agria.

Now a regular competitor at showjumping’s five-star level, he achieved top tier wins in Doha and on home soil at the London leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour riding Cajus 42. He also took the opening leg of the Prix Land Rover Defender for under-25 riders at CHI Geneva, finishing third in the grand prix there.

2024 will clearly be a hard act to follow, so what does Olli have planned for the year ahead?

“I am very lucky, I have a string of really nice horses at the moment and I am very grateful for my owners and sponsors,” says Olli. “I have a few exciting horses who I think are going to come through the ranks, so I am hopeful for a successful 2025.”

Olli Fletcher: opportunities with the Young Riders Academy

Olli was selected for the Young Riders Academy supported by Rolex and he is inspired by its recent graduates including Harry Charles and Richard Vogel.

“It definitely gives me a bit of hope!” he says. “Even to be able to have half the success that those riders have had would be amazing. I think without the Young Riders Academy supported by Rolex it would not have been as easy for them to get to where they are now.

“It is a fantastic programme, not just for the fact that you have the opportunity to be able to learn from some of the greatest riders and trainers in the world, but you also learn about veterinary care, business and economics, and communication,” he continues.

“This provides us with information that can be crucial in the sport. It has been a great year as part of the Academy and I have learned so much.”

“My parents have been inspirational”

Olli nominates his parents Graham and Tina Fletcher as having a huge influence on his career.

“I couldn’t look past my parents – they are both inspirational,” says Olli, whose older brother Will Fletcher is also competing at the top level of the sport. “I was also lucky enough to train with Rolex Testimonee Steve Guerdat five or six years ago. Not a day goes past when I do not think about the advice that he has given me – he is the complete horseman.”

Competing at shows such as CHI Geneva, the home of the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping, and other Majors “means everything”, he says.

“There are big shows and big grands prix every week, but as a rider, you know that when it is a Major it is different,” he explains. “There are riders from across the world who have come over to complete on their best horses in the Rolex grand prix. It is spectacular and means a lot to us.”

When asked if there is any horse in history, past or present, who he would like to ride, he pinpoints the great mare Ursula XII.

“There are so many good horses now that it is hard to say,” says Olli. “However, I would have to choose Scott Brash’s Ursula XII. My mum produced her and was double clear in the Nations Cup in Calgary before Scott took her on.

“What a fabulous horse she was – when she walked into the arena she had a great aura around her – she was gorgeous.”

With thanks to Rolex Grand Slam.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Olympic medallists in action on day one

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

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

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

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

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

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A wild child gelding, Hello William, and a teenage Olli Fletcher began their partnership jumping 80cm and have since been placed in their first five-star grand prix – on a comeback from life-threatening colic – and most recently won individual gold at the Young Rider European Showjumping Championships.

Jennifer Donald met the brilliant “Willy Wonka” after his super London Longines Global Champions Tour performance in 2023…

Need to know

Name: Hello William

Age: 11

Breeding: British-bred by Waldo Van Dungen out of Stakkato Rain (by Stakkato)

Owner: Graham Fletcher and Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham

Breeder: New Priory Stud (originally named Willie Wonka LVS Z)

Greatest achievements: 3rd under-25 competition, Royal Windsor 2021 and 2022, team bronze junior European championships 2021, 2nd CSI2* Northcote grand prix 2022, double clear and won CSI3* Nations Cup Gorla Minore, Italy, 2022, team bronze and individual sixth, European young rider championships 2022, 2nd CSI3* grand prix Vilamoura, Portugal, 2023, 5th CSI5* Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix of London 2023, individual gold European young rider championships 2024.

Rider: Olli Fletcher

“My Dad fell in love with Hello William after five jumps. He has a very good eye for a horse and he saw something in him that nobody else would or could. William lived in the field for two weeks because nobody could catch him. I was still at school and knew little about him, but one day he trotted over to me. I rang my parents and said, ‘Shall I bring him in?’ I put some tack on, jumped him and took him straight to a show! So his first show wasn’t until the end of his six-year-old year and we did two 80cm before he started stepping up.

“I always believed in him more than any other horse, and even in newcomers he was always the precious one. But he’s so difficult to ride, especially when he was younger, so nobody else rode him because he was so dangerous, unless you knew him. Sometimes he would just run himself blind into danger. He’s pretty much grown out of it, and he’s fine in the ring, but you’d still be wary about who handles him now. So he’s quirky, but he’s the nicest horse in the stable.

“He’s taken time and it’s been quite a journey, but now I can show everyone how good he really is. I believe he’d be a top horse for any rider, but I don’t think he’d try as hard for anyone else. He can jump a 1.60m track without even trying. I’ve never had a feeling like that and I doubt I ever will. I’m enjoying the moment and I hope there’s more to come.”

Co-owner with Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham: Graham Fletcher

“Our stables were full, but sometimes you just see something, feel something, in a horse, so he was going nowhere! He’s such a lovely horse and it’s extra pleasing when you have something to do with them all the way through.

“I’ve enjoyed many decades – a lifetime – in the sport, but I haven’t enjoyed watching a pair more than Olli and Hello William. I’m a big, grown, old man, but I definitely shed a tear the day they finished fifth in London and hopefully they have a great future.”

Groom: Gemma Chapman

“Willy Wonka, as he is often known, is the yard favourite and says hello as soon as you arrive. He likes a set routine and he loves carrots at every opportunity. He’s such a nice horse to look after and he’s so happy at shows – his head is out of the door constantly.

“Since his life-saving colic operation at the start of the year, we have to be so cautious with his feeding, so he has it as a mash a lot of the time, with as much water as possible. That was the worst day of my life. I found him and rang Olli, who came running, and he went straight to the vet, then straight into surgery, it was just awful. It was quite the recovery process – starting with seven weeks of just walking in hand – but we wanted to do the best we could for him.

“I recently had a week off and he was so offended that I’d left him! It took him a couple of days to welcome me back – he was in such a sulk! He’s one horse I always know will go in the ring and try so hard to jump a clear round and put a smile on everyone’s face. London was the proudest moment we could have had, we were all crying.”

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Emotional scenes followed newly crowned young rider individual gold medallist Olli Fletcher’s crowning moment at the FEI European Championships in Peelbergen, the Netherlands (13-21 July), where team titles were also celebrated by both Great Britain and Ireland.

Olli’s win came with his “horse of a lifetime” Hello William, co-owned with great supporters Lord and Lady Harris and Lord and Lady Kirkham, the only combination to shrug off the intense pressure and remain faultless throughout five top-flight rounds of jumping.

“I’m thrilled for the horse and everyone around me that made it happen – this is really special,” said 21-year-old Olli, who was joined by his parents Graham and Tina Fletcher as he secured the accolade at this his ninth youth championship, adding to the eight medals he’s already accumulated in every colour.

Having come into the final day in the silver-medal position, the rising star held his nerve on his 12-year-old “best friend” Hello William, also known as the brilliant Willy Wonka, to deliver one final double clear over the 1.50m tracks. When last to jump, Olli’s close friend and leader Jules Orsolini (Charlotte 198) of France, hit a pole and dropped to third, the individual title was secured for the young Brit.

“Obviously you want to win gold but you can’t wish your friend bad luck, so that was tough,” said Olli. “Hello William never even breathed on a pole all week – he tried his heart out and he’s a fighter through and through.

“There was pressure, but I managed to take myself away from it a bit, and just try to take each jump as it comes. I’ve done enough championships at youth level to know and learn from what mistakes I’ve made previously – and what we did right. Talking with my whole team, we’ve really focused on this championship and put everything into play for it. Luckily it was our week and Hello William deserved that medal.”

“My dad made it there for the final day and it was really special to have a moment like that with your family around you after a tough year,” he added. “It was emotional. But I felt relief more than anything; I’ve worked so hard for that moment. It was my ninth championship and individual gold was the only medal I haven’t obtained so that was nice after such a long, drawn-out week.

“It was also very emotional to hear from my brother Will. He’d been competing at CSI3* Chard but rang me as soon as I won. He was crying on the phone so much they had to put him down the order in one class – this is what it means to all of us.”

Olli Fletcher: “This win is for my aunt Jenny”

As well as thanking his extensive support team, including supergroom Gemma Chapman, Olli dedicated his medal to his aunt Jenny Cassan, who was paralysed in a riding accident three weeks ago.

“She was one of the first people I called and apparently her face lit up at the news,” he said. “We did it for her.”

Olli’s father Graham Fletcher said: “It’s a tough old sport and nothing is easy – the standard is up in every direction – but a day, and week, like this one is up there with the best.

“The courses were tough but fantastically built – you need a three- or four-star horse and a good rider to jump them,” he added. “Olli really tries, he’s a thinker and a grafter and I’m so pleased it all came together and, I have to say, he was better than I was!”

Gold for Ireland’s young riders

Climbing up the leaderboard to take silver in the young rider individual championship was Ireland’s Francis Derwin and Flexi K, who was also part of the squad winning back-to-back young rider team gold medals. He jumped alongside Niamh McEvoy (Jasmim Da Hermida), Tom Wachman and Cathalina S and Max Wachman riding Kilkenny.

“They are a fantastic bunch of riders who give everything they have every time they put on the green jacket and they have worked so hard to get where they are – I’m incredibly proud of them,” said Horse Sport Ireland youth showjumping team manager James Kernan. “To win one European championship is a phenomenal achievement but to go back-to-back is truly special.

“We had obviously given ourselves a great chance of the victory and this afternoon was really about managing the lead and making sure we got over the line – but we’ve done it in style.

“I must thank Horse Sport Ireland, GAIN Equine Nutrition and all our sponsors – without them none of this can happen. A very special thank you also goes to our vets and all the support staff who help make this possible. And the parents and grandparents – they’re unwavering support of our riders enables them to achieve these great things and I hope they enjoy this incredible win.”

Great Britain’s gold rush continues: “They were absolutely brilliant!”

Great Britain’s children’s team also scooped a glorious gold. Emily Gulliver on Glamor, Honey Bowes (Javas El Cid), Tabby Morgan-Evans riding Bermudez BDA and championship debutante anchor rider Rosie Smith with Fruselli held their nerve to finish on a zero score to take team honours with fifth squad member Lottie Adams (Khaleesi OL).

“They were absolutely brilliant!” said chef d’equipe Clare Whitaker. “There was pressure on Tabby, who is still only 11, and Rosie gave Fruselli a superb ride. I am really proud of them all.”

Great Britain’s junior riders also came home with a team bronze after “a real team effort” courtesy of Tabitha Kyle riding Desterly, Sophie Evans on CSIO Bel, Henry Squibb with Diatencona PS and Olivia Sponer riding Bingo Du Chateau.

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the Paris Olympics, Royal International, Burghley and more 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

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

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

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

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

Showjumping news: “This team is a little unusual”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• WEF Nations Cup results

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

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

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

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

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

• LGCT Doha results

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

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

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

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

• Andalucia Sunshine Tour results

Showjumping news: an emotional victory as LGCT season kicks off

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

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

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

• LGCT grand prix of Doha results

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

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

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

• WEF results

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• WEF results

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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.

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

Earlier this month, H&H paid a visit to the Oxfordshire yard of high-flying showjumping brothers Will and Olli Fletcher. It was a brief interlude at home just north of Lambourn in between Will’s trip south to the Sunshine Tour, and Olli’s flight to Doha for his first experience of the Global Champions League.

We hope you enjoy this exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the yard, meeting some fabulous horses with fascinating backstories. Don’t miss the full interview in the current issue of the magazine (22 February).

1. “I owe Percy everything”

Will with 19-year-old Persimmon (Percy), who finished fourth at the European Eventing Championships with Kitty King before switching to showjumping and winning young rider medals with Will.

2. Hello William’s party trick

Olli has taught his top horse Hello William to kiss him on command. Olli has an especially strong bond with the 12-year-old by Waldo Van Dungen, who started his career as an event horse. He recovered from colic last season to be placed in a five-star grand prix.

3. The boys run separate yards – and separate businesses

Will, pictured with one of his top rides, Israel, keeps his string in a row of new exterior stables decorated with pretty purple hanging baskets, while Olli houses most of his horses in an indoor barn.

4. Sweet treats

Mum Tina offers Hello William a sugar lump after his jumping session.

5. Polework coincides with flat sessions

Besides a large 40x85m outdoor school, where they do most of their jumping training, there is a smaller arena for flatwork and polework.

“They do plenty of polework as it keeps them athletic and gets the muscles working properly, without putting too much stress on them,” says Tina, who coaches her two sons.

6. An all-weather track circumnavigates the paddocks

The Fletchers’ dad, Graham, laid down a canter track using the old surface of the school when they were renovating it. It offers a useful alternative to hacking. Here Olli rides Kandoo Z, an eight-year-old owned by Will, ahead of Will riding Quintine Van D’Abdijhoeve (Clover).

7. Love is in the air

Olli has a soft spot for the delightful eight-year-old Love (Diamant De Semilly x Heartbreaker). This pretty little mare is “so scopey” and will step up to rankings classes this season.

8. An Irish hunter in disguise?

Will aboard another eight-year-old mare, Quintine Van D’Abdijhoeve, who was placed in the seven-year-old final last season and is owned by Alison Walton.

“She looks like an Irish hunter but she’s so light off the ground when she jumps,” says Will. “She’s come on leaps and bounds.”

9. Keeping the show on the road

Each brother has their own head groom. Eefie Billson (pictured above leading Israel) works for Will and also competes her own showjumper, Pudding. Gemma Chapman (pictured below with Kandoo) is Olli’s groom and also helps with the riding.

10. A quiet jump at home

Tina explains that the horses “never jump big at home”: “A horse doing 1.50m classes won’t jump more than 1.40m. We just want to keep them relaxed, happy and enjoying their job.”

11. “Percy does whatever he pleases”

Persimmon is the yard favourite. He occupies the first box in Olli’s yard, even though he’s Will’s ride – “because that’s where he wants to be”. The veteran is still winning grands prix as a 19-year-old.

12. “They help each other out”

Dad Graham admits he’s surprised at how well the family business has worked out. While there is plenty of banter, he says: “I can’t remember them ever having an argument about the horses – they help each other out.”

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Five minutes with British showjumper Will Fletcher *H&H Plus*

Horse & Hound spends five minutes with British showjumper Will Fletcher to find out more about this talented young rider

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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An amazing assortment of exceptional showjumping horses took starring roles this week as we enjoyed five-star competitions from Qatar to USA to Sweden.

We’ve always loved Marcus Ehning’s exceptional stallion Stargold, with his charismatic flick of the heels, and he once again proved unbeatable in Saturday’s feature class in Doha, while Laura Kraut’s outstanding championship horse Baloutinue somewhat surprisingly won his first five-star grand prix at the age of 13. A gelding who is blind in one eye proved that having limited vision is no barrier to success and a British teenager had the honour of beating an Olympic eventer in an international grand prix, as we bring you this round-up of this week’s international showjumping news and results.

‘A dream come true’: Kraut’s Olympic hero wins his first five-star grand prix, aged 13

The $425,000 CSI5* Lugano Diamonds grand prix during week seven of WEF at Wellington International was won by US rider Laura Kraut with her Tokyo Olympic team silver medal-winning partner Baloutinue. Somewhat surprisingly, this was the consistent 13-year-old gelding’s first five-star grand prix victory.

The pair had penultimate draw in a seven-way jump-off and survived a sharp challenge from final rider and her US team-mate Mclain Ward (Contagious), who finished 0.3sec slower, with Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam third riding the 10-year-old Irish-bred gelding James Kann Cruz (Kannan x Cruising).

“I had a good feeling when I walked the course,” said Laura. “My horse had jumped very well on Thursday, so this is just a dream come true.

“I took a real shot at the double – I came in there a little more forward than I’d have liked to! But he tried so hard coming out,” said Laura of the galloping jump-off track, describing Baloutinue’s (pictured below) flying leap over the final oxer as a “heroic effort”.

“I’m just so excited by Baloutinue, he’s been so great for so long – I haven’t had the opportunity to jump very many jump-offs with him but I felt like tonight he was right there for all of it,” added Laura of the Balou Du Rouet x Landor S gelding owned by St. Bride’s Farm. “I always try to go faster than I probably should, but he’s fast enough on his own, and tonight I just let him go his speed and that seemed to work better. He’s a trier, he’s elastic and he’s very careful.

“It was a fantastic crowd; the atmosphere here at night is as good as it gets,” added Laura. “We feel like the crowd is really behind us; when I was clear it was an explosion.”

Baloutinue’s groom Margo Thomas was also awarded with a $500 award presented by Double H Farm.

• WEF results

Ehning goes for gold

Germany’s Marcus Ehning and the charismatic Stargold (pictured above) produced a scintillating triple clear on a warm night in the Qatar desert to become the first back-to-back winners of the CSI5* 1.60m grand prix at Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab, Doha.

“He felt so fresh and enjoys the heat here, so I had a good feeling,” said Marcus after the stallion threw in some trademark bucks en route to victory. “He’s a stallion with a lot of character and I try to let him stay that way.”

• Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab results

‘She has a heart as big as a lion’

Shane Breen posted a win for Ireland in Thursday’s 1.45m two-phase in Doha, Qatar, with his gallant mare Haya, whose gritty style makes her deceptively quick, scoring by 0.28sec over Kevin Staut (Dialou Blue PS). Shane first spotted the grey at a show in France, when his brother Trevor had tipped him off.

“She struck me as really smart, with laser-vision to her jumps and was super careful,” said Shane, who won last year’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Hickstead with the mare. “So I slept on it but when I went to ask her rider Harold Megahey if I could try her, she’d already gone home. So I bought her without trying her! She has a heart as big as a lion.”

• Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab results

Teenager beats Olympic eventer

Great Britain’s 18-year-old Olivia Banks recorded the novel achievement of beating New Zealand Olympic eventer Tim Price on his Boekelo winner Happy Boy, to land the CSI* grand prix on the Andalucia Sunshine Tour riding Geodina HS. Swiss showjumper Steve Guerdat claimed the CSI4* 1.55m Equine America grand prix at the venue riding the 10-year-old mare Dynamix De Belheme, whom he thinks is “the best horse I’ve ever had”. The pair soared home half a second faster than team-mate Martin Fuchs riding Commissar Pezi after a 12-way jump-off. Nicole Lockhead-Anderson and Emerald Irish Cruise were among the other British riders on form this week.

• Andalucia Sunshine Tour results

Rider cancels his plane to enjoy his World Cup celebrations

The final leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Western European League in Gothenburg, Sweden, was won by French rider Marc Dilasser riding the 13-year-old gelding Arioto Du Gevres. For the top 18 riders, all roads now lead to Omaha, USA, in April for the World Cup Final, and this includes Great Britain’s Harry Charles and Scott Brash.

“This is my first ever World Cup win,” said Marc, who was drawn first in the jump-off. “Arioto was not always an easy horse – when he was young, he was difficult to ride, but he has always been a fighter!

“This has been a fantastic day for me and my owners. I had a plane to catch this evening but instead we cancelled that and we will stay one more night and break out the champagne here in Gothenburg – it’s important to celebrate the big moments!”

• CSI5*-W Gothenburg results

Horse with limited vision wins $100,000 grand prix

Brazilian showjumper Santiago Lambre won the $100,000 Hampton Green Farms grand prix at the World Equestrian Centre, Ocala, Florida with the 16-year-old gelding Chacco Blue II, who is blind in one eye.

Irish course builder Colm Quinn set the track and Santiago describes his Chacco Blue son as a “slow mover” but with “a mile long” stride and the pair executed some terrific turns to win.

“Tonight, he showed his speed,” he said. “I tried to gallop everywhere I could and be tight back to the second to last vertical. Luckily for us, both tight turns were on his good side, and not blind side. If it were on his blind eye side I would’ve had to give him a touch more room, but this course was perfect for him.”

A hat-trick of blue ribbons for Olli Fletcher

Great Britain’s Olli Fletcher finished runner-up in the Villamoura Atlantic Tour grand prix for the third time, this time riding the 12-year-old Garande. His previous two close finishes came with Hello William. This time he missed out to Dutch victor Niels Kersten riding Tippy Z. Guy Williams and Crispina Z, and Adrian Speight on Millfield Baloney won a rankings class and James Smith, Laura Mantel and Chloe Aston were just some of the riders flying the British flag in impressive style.

• Villamoura Atlantic Tour results

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Rising young showjumping star Olli Fletcher has a few good HOYS showjumping rounds under his belt already this week – days after he ran the London Marathon.

Olli completed the challenge in 3hr43min on Sunday (3 October), in aid of World Horse Welfare, and despite the fact he had a couple of very painful days afterwards, he has been on top form at the NEC, finishing in the money in the Grandstand Welcome Stakes, on Garande, and in the Stoneleigh Stakes, on Hello William (pictured).

“I’ve always run to try to keep fit,” Olli told H&H. “I’m quite tall so I can’t be putting too much weight on for the horses. I did a virtual half-marathon in lockdown for World Horse Welfare, and then they asked me if I wanted to do London.

“I wanted to support a horse charity as horses do so much for us, and it’s nice to do something in return.”

Olli admitted he “didn’t do too much training” in preparation for Sunday’s rum.

“That came back to bite me in the arse on the course!” he added. “Mile two it started to hurt. Miles 19 and 20 I found tough but I got over that and the atmosphere kept me going. It hurt but you heard the crowd cheering you, and the pain went away.”

The pain came back though – walking was a struggle for a couple of days.

“I was particularly stiff,” Olli said. “I was sliding down the stairs on my bum! But riding is fine, and that’s the main thing.”

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Tom McEwen, Jonty Evans and Olli Fletcher are among the elite riders swapping boots for trainers on Sunday as they take on the TCS London Marathon (2 October).

It’s a rapid turn-around for Tokyo Olympic eventing team gold and individual silver medallist Tom, who has two young horses in the three-day classes at Osberton this week before hot-footing it to the capital for the London Marathon tomorrow (Sunday).

The five-star winner has been spotted marathon training at major internationals this year, and is running the 26.2 miles to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK in support of his granny.

• Visit Tom’s London Marathon fundraising page

Multiple youth medal-winning showjumper Olli Fletcher is running this year’s marathon for World Horse Welfare.

Olli, 19, joins seven other runners supporting World Horse Welfare this year and he is close to achieving his £3,000 target.

• Visit Olli’s London Marathon fundraising page

Irish Olympic event rider Jonty Evans is running alongside his friend, Michael Knighty, and Hartpury’s associate professor and equine therapy centre manager Dr Kathryn Nankervis.

Jonty sustained a traumatic brain injury in a fall at Tattersalls in 2018 and the trio are running for Headway, a UK-wide brain injury support charity.

Running has formed part of Jonty’s recovery and he has been assisted by the Hartpury Sports Academy.

• To support Headway, visit Jonty’s London Marathon fundraising page

Presenter Rosie Tapner is taking on the marathon for Wellbeing of Women, a charity that focuses on women’s health and wellbeing through research and education.

Rosie, who the eventing fans will recognise for her appearances on Burghley TV among other presenting work in the horse world, has already raised more than £3,200 for the charity.

• Find out more about the charity’s work visit Rosie’s fundraising page

Many equine and equestrian-connected charities also have runners in this year’s London Marathon. Find out more about the Racing Welfare team, Countryside Alliance Foundation runners and those supporting The Donkey Sanctuary.

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While we’re all stuck in lockdown for the foreseeable future, young showjumper Olli Fletcher has put all his unexpected spare time to excellent use in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for World Horse Welfare.

The 17-year-old would normally be out competing on a regular basis at this time of year — and was due to be heading abroad this month — but now the keen runner has decided to ramp up his training regime and has set himself an impressive challenge to run his first ever half-marathon (just over 21 km or 13 miles) on 1 February, in the countryside near his Oxfordshire home.

“I’ve always wanted to do a marathon — I like running and at shows I go running nearly every day,” Olli told H&H.

“But as I don’t have too much to do at the moment, I thought now would be a really good time to start.”

Olli has gradually upped his training to meet his goal of running a half-marathon and says he is loving swapping riding boots for his runing shoes.

“Sometimes I would set off to run one block round where I live and end up running round three times — I just keep on going!” he says.

“I have my music on and it just frees your mind a bit. I feel great after, too, so I’m sure it’s all beneficial.”

Olli has set up a JustGiving page where people can donate and he is already halfway towards his target of raising £2,000 for and awareness of World Horse Welfare.

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With just over a week to go, how is the wannabe Mo Farah feeling ahead of the big day, when he’ll be pounding the local tracks round his house?

“I did 18km earlier this week, so it feels as if it is going OK so far,” he said. “So I could nearly do it tomorrow but hopefully there’s still enough time to raise a bit more money.

“It’s a charity that means a lot to me — horses put their heart and soul into what they do for us and expect nothing in return so I thought it would be nice to try to give them something back.”

Next stop, the London Marathon? Just keep on running Olli!

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Meet the newest addition to the H&H blogging team, 17-year-old bright young showjumping talent, Olli Fletcher. Son of showjumping parents Graham and Tina Fletcher, Olli has already notched a number of top international results, and here he will be taking us through his time training with current FEI world number one showjumper, Steve Guerdat, in Switzerland

When I text Steve Guerdat [2012 individual Olympic showjumping champion, 2015, 2016 and 2019 World champion and current World number one] during lockdown, I thought I was highly unlikely to get a response, let alone the opportunity to go and train with three of my own horses. It is now three weeks since I’ve been in Elgg (Switzerland) and I have loved every minute of it. I have learnt so much in such a short space of time, from different philosophies to how hard you must work to get to the top.

I would always say I’m a hard worker — at home I’m the first one out and last one in, alongside with my brother Will. But Steve takes it to a new level! He got back from Gorla Minore (Italy) at 3am last Monday morning after winning the grand prix there, and he was out riding one of his top horses, Bianca, before 6am and was cutting his precious grass jumping arena at 7.30pm — he is someone anyone in the world should look up to, for far more than just his phenomenal riding ability.

Just over a week ago I went to my first show with Steve. It was a two-star at Gorla Minore. It was a great show considering it was my first competition since Vilamoura in March. Lady Harris’ and Lady Kirkham’s Hello William came on leaps and bounds that show, going double clear in the 1.40m grand prix to finish sixth and then took a massive step up to jump his first 1.45m two-star grand prix, going clear and finishing 10th as an eight-year-old, among the very best in the world.

Hello Disckoboy also jumped really well to be placed in the speed class the last day. Alison Walton’s IV Willem jumped super all week in the seven-year-old classes (pictured top) getting placed two or three times, including a fourth the second day.

I feel like my horses are all going very well and the rideability has improved dramatically. I would also like to say a massive thank you to Izzy Corke who is helping me out here and doing a great job.

Continued below…

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At the yard it is very rare to see someone riding on a surface. Steve has one outdoor arena and is in the middle of building another one, plus one indoor and four grass arenas to ride in. Steve is a strong believer in riding on the grass and hacking in the woods as he believes it is good for the horses’ heads, and being the incredible horseman he is, I would 100% have to agree with him. He also jumps a lot of natural and cross-county fences as he believes it makes horses braver and it is fun for both the horse and rider. He is the most patient and persistent man I’ve ever met on a horse; he is so sympathetic when riding and will never give up, no matter how awkward the horse is being. He obviously loves the sport and he obviously loves to win, but I genuinely believe that the main reason he showjumps is because he truly loves his horses.

Olli

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“I was advised not to, but my arrogant self thought I should anyway!” Find out how a chance text led to the an incredible opportunity for a talented British young rider...

Showjumper Olli Fletcher is heading off on the opportunity of a lifetime, all thanks to a chance text message to the world number one rider, Steve Guerdat.

The 17-year-old junior team and individual silver medal-winning rider has long admired the Swiss champion and decided to put the wheels in motion earlier this year.

“I’ve always wanted to train with him because I really admire his way of riding,” Olli told H&H. “Not every goal is a winning post for him – he has his targets and he achieves them.

“None of his horses are particularly easy to ride but he manages to go in their way. He looks like he’s not doing very much in the saddle but in disguise he is doing a monumental amount. I love that way of riding.

“I decided to message Steve at the start of lockdown,” explained Olli, son of Tina and Graham Fletcher. “My parents and brother advised me not to because they thought it was rude, but my arrogant self thought I should anyway!

“I asked him if I could please come and work for a month or two — I offered just to do anything in return for riding one or two horses. He rang me up the next day and said ‘I can do better than that — bring three horses and yourself’.”

Olli heads to the 2012 Olympic champion’s base near Zurich in Switzerland this weekend (12 July) with his top ride Hello Disckoboy and the eight-year-old Hello William, both of whom are owned by the Harrises and Kirkhams, plus an exciting new seven-year-old.

“I just can’t wait to get out there now and see what there is to learn because he’s got a lot to show,” said Olli, who is planning to go for a month but says nothing has been decided in terms of dates.

“I’m taking two more inexperienced horses, which are fairly difficult to ride so I thought he’d be the master at helping me with them, and then Disckoboy to hopefully jump the bigger classes and see what ideas he has to offer there.

“He’s been so nice and I’m so grateful for what Steve’s offered. He said I could ride a couple of his horses and I’m going to a couple of shows with him so it’s a dream come true, I just can’t wait.”

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