Top new horses for British showjumper Harry Charles

World Showjumping Championships — (Image credit: Corbis via Getty Images)

British showjumper Harry Charles made his competitive debut with new ride Balou Du Reventon, one of the most successful horses in the world, in Spain on Thursday (12 January).

The 23-year-old rider has taken the reins on Ann Thompson’s 17-year-old superstar stallion, who was previously ridden by USA’s Brian Moggre and Darragh Kenny of Ireland.

The German-bred son of Cornet Obolensky was produced to the top level by Russian rider Liubov Kochetova, and Darragh Kenny took over from Jorge Matte Capdevila when Ann Thompson bought the rising star in 2018. Darragh and Balou were part of Ireland’s winning team at the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona and competed at the 2019 European championships, adding a string of five-star grand prix wins and placings in their two years together.

Ann Thompson announced the formal dissolution of her partnership with the Irish showjumper in 2020 and Harry Charles was at that time the recipient of the brilliant Romeo 88 while Balou Du Reventon moved to young US rider Brian Moggre at the start of 2021, quickly resuming his winning ways. The pair jumped on Nations Cup teams and Balou, who has no front teeth, was last seen representing USA at the 2022 World Showjumping Championships in Herning with Brian.

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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.

Big-name horses join Harry Charles, with Europeans and Olympics the target

“He’s the perfect horse all round,” Harry told H&H. “Sometimes getting in the ring after being at home is a bit different, but hopefully in a couple of rounds we should be good to go.

“I’m Special V might be one of my prospects for the Europeans, and possibly the Paris Olympics next year,” said Harry of the 10-year-old gelding (I’m Special De Muze x Indoctro). “He’s definitely one to keep an eye out for.”

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