Medal-winning veterans and some new up-and-coming stars feature on the British showjumping shortlist for the Aachen World Championships (11 to 23 August).
One combination from the team that won silver at last year’s European Championships – Scott Brash and Hello Folie – is included in the list of 11 riders and 15 horses from which the final squad will be confirmed. The final squad of five combinations must be submitted to the FEI by 23 July, following a final meeting on or around 16 July.
The selection panel comprises chef d’equipe Di Lampard and non-voting chair of selectors Sarah Rowell and the aim is to select those most likely to achieve the objectives; of qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and winning as many medals as possible.
The selection will of course take into account combination results, including in five-star Nations Cup and grands prix, this year and last.
Scott and Ben Maher, currently third and fourth in the Longines world rankings, look certain to feature in the world championships squad and both have three rides on the British showjumping shortlist. As well as Folie, with whom he also won individual silver last year, Scott has his Paris 2024 team gold medal-winning Hello Jefferson and the rising star Hello Mango, all three owned by Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham. Scott has been on flying form this year, winning five-star grands prix on all three horses.
Ben is named with his stalwarts Enjeu de Grisien and Point Break; he came fourth with the former in the Rolex Aachen grand prix this month and won the five-star grand prix in Rotterdam last week with the latter. He is also down with Catelly – owned as are the other two by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright – whom he has only been riding since May but with whom he was on the team that won the Longines League of Nations (LLN) in Rotterdam this month.
Harry Charles has with Scott and Ben been the backbone of recent British championship teams but has been rebuilding his string. He is named with another new ride; his own and wife Eve Jobs’ LT Holst Freda, whom he only started riding a month ago but with whom he jumped double clear in the Rotterdam LLN to help secure that British win, sealing the deal in a jump-off thriller.
Rising stars Adrian Whiteway and Chacco Volo have been impressing on Nations Cup teams and top-level shows since their CSI5* debut a year ago; they are also on the British showjumping shortlist for Aachen.
Joe Stockdale, who helped Britain to team bronze at the last World Championships is on the list, this time with Ebanking who has been competitive at five-star level this year. Jessica Mendoza, who shone as an individual at last year’s Europeans, is selected with Summerhouse, who was also on that winning team in Rotterdam. Matt Sampson is named with Un Secreto Z, the horse with whom he came fourth in his first five-star grand prix at Windsor last month, and won at the Hickstead Derby meeting – and whom Matt describes as the best in his string at the moment. Sienna Charles and home-bred Chawton were also on the winning team in Rotterdam, jumping clear to set up the jump-off.
Jack Whitaker, Jodie Hall McAteer and Tim Gredley are the riders who complete the British showjumping shortlist for Aachen – we will have to wait and see who makes the final cut.
Selection also takes into account results in other five-star and four-star competitions, as well as the standing of the competition, the quality of the field and reasons for any incomplete competition. Proof of ability to produce top performances on a given day and while under pressure are also important.
The British showjumping shortlist Aachen 2026:
Scott Brash with 11-year-old mare Hello Folie
Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham
Breeder: Claire Gouin
Breeding: By Luidam, out of a mare by Diamant De Semilly
Scott Brash with 17-year-old gelding Hello Jefferson
Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham
Breeder: Bernard Mols
Breeding: By Cooper van de Heffinck, out of a mare by Irco Mena
Scott Brash with 11-year-old mare Hello Mango
Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham
Breeder: HPH Vaessen
Breeding: By Untouchable 27, out of a mare by Numero Uno
Harry Charles with 12-year-old mare Holst Freda
Owners: Eve Jobs and rider
Breeder: E Mackintosh
Breeding: By Colman, out of a mare by Casall Ask
Sienna Charles with 12-year-old stallion Chawton
Owner: Peter Charles
Breeder: Peter Charles
Breeding: By Typhoon S, out of a mare by Caletto
Tim Gredley with 14-year-old gelding Medoc de Toxandria
Owners: Rachel Gredley, William Gredley and Unex Competition Yard Ltd
Breeder: Werner Dierckx
Breeding: By Der Senaat III, out of a mare by Kelvin De Sainte Hermelle
Jodie Hall McAteer with 10-year-old mare La Gupardie
Owner: Mandy Hall
Breeder: F van de Linden
Breeding: By Van Gogh, out of a mare by Carrera VDL
Ben Maher with 14-year-old gelding Catelly
Owners: Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright
Breeder: H. Wulf-Hinrich
Breeding: By Catalido, out of a mare by Ephebe For Ever La Silla
Ben Maher with 12-year-old gelding Enjeu De Grisien
Owners: Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright
Breeder: H. Elevage de Grisien SCEA
Breeding: By Toulon, out of a mare by Andiamo
Ben Maher with 12-year-old stallion Point Break
Owners: Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright
Breeder: Nya Äppelvikens Ridskola AB
Breeding: By Action-Breaker, out of a mare by Baloubet De Rouet
Jessica Mendoza with 11-year-old gelding Summerhouse
Owners: Pernilla Amman, Georgia Kipp, Kristi Mitchem and Melissa Skowlund and rider
Breeder: C Den Boer
Breeding: By Induparts Guidam Sohn, out of a mare by VDL Indoctro
Matt Sampson with 11-year-old stallion Un Secreto Z
Owner: Maplepark Farm
Breeder: Finca Horses BV
Breeding: By Ultra Boy, out of a mare by Arko III
Joe Stockdale with 12-year-old stallion Ebanking
Owners: Barbara Hester and Laura Stockdale
Breeder: E Vriend
Breeding: By Etoulon, out of a mare by Aranebel
Jack Whitaker with 12-year-old stallion Jack JL
Owner: Candice Reilly
Breeder: JE Lammerts-Weide
Breeding: By Bessemeind’s Quasimodo Z, out of a mare by Astrello
Adrian Whiteway with 13-year-old stallion Chacco Volo
Owner: Deborah Cox
Breeder: Gestut Lewitz
Breeding: By Chacco-Blue, out of a mare by Cathago
The grooms’ names are yet to be confirmed and selection decisions depend on horses and riders’ maintaining fitness and performance.
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