Olympic showjumping individual final: Britain’s Harry Charles reflects

Harry Charles riding Romeo 88 in the Olympic showjumping individual final at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games — Harry Charles and Romeo retired on course during the Olympic showjumping final.

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

A despondent Harry Charles – one of three British showjumpers through to the Olympic showjumping individual final at the Tokyo Games on Wednesday (4 August) – had plenty to reflect on after he made the decision to retire late on course as the faults began to accumulate.

He attributes his first penalties with Romeo 88, which came at the oxer at fence five, to an early “misunderstanding” and the pair never quite regained their rhythm thereafter.

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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.

‘It’s quite hard to take’: Harry Charles reflects on Olympic showjumping final

“Over the first few fences I felt he started off a bit behind my leg and just never got the distance on the seven strides – it was just a misunderstanding and a bad outcome,” said Harry.

“But anyway, I’m delighted with the horse, what he’s done for me and how he’s come to the championship – and I’ve even got into the individual final. But it’s still quite hard to take.”

Harry Charles and Ann Thompson’s 12-year-old gelding Romeo 88 are a fairly new combination, with the 22-year-old Hampshire rider only taking the reins at the start of the year. The Olympic showjumping individual final in Tokyo was by far their biggest test.

“We are still learning about each other – the fences are absolutely massive and there’s absolutely no room for error,” said Harry. “So, it’s tough. I can’t believe how many clears there were, to be honest.”

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