A jubilant 23yo, a soaring stallion and a rider with no stirrup: who won showjumping ribbons at the weekend (and who missed his flight as a result)?

We were treated to a feast of five-star showjumping on home soil this weekend (11-15 May) but there was also plenty of success for British and Irish riders further afield — as well as a breakthrough win for a talented 23-year-old.

Here is your weekly round-up of international jumping action.

“I had two quick riders behind me and nothing to lose, I had to try. He did superbly,” said Gregory after hitting the €125,000 (£106,640) jackpot — and missing his flight home as a result. He finished ahead of Austrian Max Kuhner (Elektric Blue P) and Israel’s Daniel Bluman, who finished third, having lost his stirrup approaching the towering final Rolex vertical and just tapped the top rail.

The emotion of winning the Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix of Madrid was clear to see as 23-year-old Sanne Thijssen erupted in the saddle after rocketing over the finish line with her “horse of a lifetime” Con Quidam RB. This was the biggest win of Sanne’s career and she became the third-youngest rider to win an LGCT grand prix. Taking joint second were Irishman Darragh Kenny (VDL Cartello) and Marlon Modolo Zanotelli riding VDL Edgar M.

“I didn’t think my time would hold against the riders after me, but I’m lucky that Centriko is actually very fast,” said Jordan. “He doesn’t look fast, but the way he jumps makes him faster. He’s like a millimetre above the jumps when he goes clear, so he doesn’t waste time going too high. And with verticals, you can go as fast as his legs will take him. The more delicate a jump, the more carefully he takes it. I chickened out and added a stride [on the final stretch]. On a different horse, I might have left out one more stride, but Centriko is still a little green at this level and a little unsure. He’s just an unbelievable athlete to jump. It was a good day for the Irish.”

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Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.

A jubilant 23yo, a soaring stallion and a rider with no stirrup: who won showjumping ribbons at the weekend (and who missed his flight as a result)?

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