‘He prefers it when I stay out of his way’: rider wins on horse he found by accident

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Nick Dello Joio and Cornet's Cambridge jumping at the Winter Equestrian Festival
Nick Dello Joio wins on Cornet's Cambridge - a horse he stumbled across in Switzerland
(Image credit: Sportfot)

USA’s Nick Dello Joio and Cornet’s Cambridge took victory in the $75,000 Adequan WEF Challenge Cup Round X CSI4* at the Winter Equestrian Festival after a conscious decision that less is more.

“The course was difficult and a lot of the growing pains I have had with this horse have come from trying to do too much,” Nick said. “He is so brave and careful that he really prefers it when the rider stays out of his way and doesn’t try to help him. I decided to just let him jump around how he was most comfortable today and clearly it paid off.”

Sarah Eakin
Sarah Eakin
Freelance journalist

Sarah Eakin is an international equestrian journalist who writes for publications on both sides of the Atlantic, including Horse & Hound, The Independent and The Daily Telegraph in the UK. A former Pony Club team member for dressage, showjumping and eventing, Sarah’s mother trained National Hunt horses and she and her three brothers also played polo. Formerly married to a US professional polo player, Sarah is currently based in Wellington, Florida.