Rising showjumping star Harry Charles and his super consistent partner Casquo Blue jumped the best round from Great Britain on day one of the European Showjumping Championships at the San Siro racecourse in Milan, Italy (30 August-3 September).
The pair just picked up four faults at the problematic Longines oxer, but their high-speed round put them into 22nd position individually at the close of the first qualifier for teams and individuals at the European Showjumping Championships.
“It felt alright, it didn’t feel amazing though,” said Harry, 24, a veteran of two championships but at his first with the Stall Zet-owned Casquo Blue. “It was pretty hard work for a 1.50m class with the ground in there.”
European Showjumping Championships: “There’s still a lot to play for”
Harry continued: “Obviously the team is not having the best of days but we’ve got Olympic qualification in the bag, so the pressure was a little bit off at this championship. We did still want to come and do well obviously, but the first day is always… not the least important, but you know, it’s not all lost on the first day, so there’s still a lot to pay for with two bigger rounds tomorrow and Friday, which makes it more about jumping. So we’ll see what we can do. Today would have been a lot better without that fence!”
Harry revealed that he had reverted to plan B after the pole fell.
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“Casquo Blue is a very brave and bold horse. So this ring suits him. They’re feeling the ground underneath them a bit, especially towards the end of the class, which is not ideal on the first day.”
Ben Maher, who faulted at the same Longines oxer with Faltic HB, added: “I was happy enough with my round, it went relatively to plan. He’s not the fastest horse so I tried to take some time where I could. It’s not the perfect start but we try again tomorrow.”
Great Britain’s individual contender at the 2023 European Showjumping Championships, Donald Whitaker with Di Caprio, finished the day in 50th position.
“He’s a very solid horse but it’s a new championships for him and me,” said Germany-based Donald, part of the famous Whitaker showjumping family.“You’re only here with one horse so there’s a lot of waiting around to do for 80 seconds in the ring! So then the adrenaline is all at once and then you can’t wait to get back in there again.”
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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.
