Olympic showjumping individual qualifier: Scott Brash to ride for a medal

Scott Brash riding Jefferson in the Olympic showjumping individual qualifier at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games — Scott Brash and Jefferson (pictured) have been replaced by Harry Charles and Romeo 88 on the British Olympic showjumping team after Jefferson sustained a minor strain during the individual competition.

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Scott Brash and Jefferson have secured their place in the Olympic showjumping individual final after producing a focused clear qualifying round at the Tokyo Games.

Scott and the 12-year-old gelding, owned by Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham, made light work of the colourful fences and testing combinations in Santiago Varela’s track.

“With the sumo wrestler (fence 8) I think people were worried about that but my feeling is the horses are not looking at that, when you come round the corner there’s some flowers and things on the right. The horses don’t really know where they’re going so they switch off a little bit, but you have to keep them engaged with your leg. I was certainly aware of that once I watched a few and knew I could have a bit more pressure around that corner, and I’m glad I did.

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

TOPICS

Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.

‘That’s what makes a championship’: Scott Brash and Jefferson qualify for Olympic showjumping individual final

“I’m delighted. I thought he jumped fantastic,” said Scott. “He’s an amazing horse and I just feel like he’s been in top form. We’re growing as a partnership and really understand one another better each round we do.

“Normally my worst day would be my first day, he’s quite a sharp horse and very energetic. Usually it gets better as the week goes so hopefully that’s still the case.”

Scott said it was “a very good course”.

“I’m surprised that Santiago has had as many clears as he has. There’s a lot to look at in there for the horses on the first night, it’s very colourful so you don’t really know how they’re going to react.

“You’ve got the water, and you’ve got the vertical at the top – it seems to be spooking horses a little bit with the flowers. Then there’s the last line. There’s [potential jumping] faults everywhere.

Looking ahead to the team event Scott believes they have a “great chance”.

“We’ve got a great team here. But as you know with three riders anything can happen. If a rein snaps we’re eliminated, it can be as easy as that,” he said.

“You never know, but I think we’re all in good shape, and we need a bit of luck on the day.”

You might also be interested in:

‘I made the decision to go in and attack a bit’: Ben Maher takes pole position in Olympic showjumping individual qualifier

‘He comes out, digs in and fights so hard’: Harry Charles on his Olympic showjumping individual qualifier round

‘We’re here to get a result’: high hopes for Great Britain’s medal chances with three clears in Tokyo Olympic showjumping