Great Britain’s showjumpers triumphed in a hard-fought Longines League of Nations (LLN) at the CHIO Rotterdam.
After some fluctuating fortunes, a thrilling battle ensued between the British, the USA and the Netherlands, rumbling into a nail-biting jump-off. Less than half a second separated the three representatives against the clock, but it was Harry Charles, at just his third show with new ride, the 12-year-old mare LT Holst Freda, who secured victory by just 0.07sec. The 26-year-old rider topped the podium alongside his younger sister Sienna Charles riding the family home-bred Chawton, Ben Maher (Catelly) and Jessica Mendoza with Summerhouse.
“We have very cool, very focused riders,” said chef d’equipe Di Lampard. “Their life is dedicated to their horses and completely devoted to the job. We have had unbelievable consistency on the podium in these past few weeks and this win secures qualification to the LLN final.
“I’ve every confidence in this squad that we keep rotating and we’ve got a great team here. It was a wonderful day of sport and a fantastic course that was fair to the horses as well. To finish with three teams in the jump-off. Wow.”
Siblings Harry Charles and Sienna Charles lead the charge to glory
Ben Maher acted as the British team’s pathfinder as 10 teams tackled Bart Vonck’s course, just touching the tape of the water jump in round one with another relatively new ride, 14-year-old Catelly, owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright. Jessica Mendoza’s eight faults was the discard score as Sienna Charles posted just four faults on firm favourite Chawton. Anchor rider Harry Charles then produced a vital clear with the New Zealand-bred mare LT Holst Freda, who came to the Olympic gold medal-winning Brit after competing at the recent World Cup Final with Julie Davey.
“It was down to the Charles family to get us into round two and they did it admirably,” said Di after the team finished seventh at the halfway point.
Sienna Charles in action for Great Britain on family home-bred Chawton.
(Image credit: FEI)
Having made the cut as one of the top eight teams to progress to the crucial second leg, with three riders per team and no drop score, Ben, Sienna and Harry shrugged off any pressure and delivered a hat-trick of clears to finish on a team score of eight. This forced the jump-off against Marilyn Little and La Contessa of USA, and Swiss rider Jason Smith (Picobello van’t Roosakker).
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A masterful performance
“It was masterful how Harry rode the mare for the jump-off,” said Di Lampard. “Going first, he didn’t waste time anywhere; he threw down the gauntlet, riding beyond his years and his turn back to the vertical was pivotal. When we talked about it before the jump-off, we called it ‘a Bob rollback’,” she said; a nod to the late course-builder Bob Ellis’s trademark ingredient.
Harry Charles and new ride LT Holst Freda produce a triple clear on their team debut, helping Great Britain win the Rotterdam leg of the Longines League of Nations.
(Image credit: FEI)
“Ben is still getting to know his horse, but he set up round two perfectly. Sienna rode amazingly, picking up where she left off last year after finishing fourth in the grand prix – this partnership loves this venue and it was a wonderful experience for her.
“It was a fantastic day and, to come back from seventh shows how close these Nations Cup competitions are. It was a big shock for France and Germany not to make the cut. The results can change completely. Everything goes with three counting riders in round two; the pressure is on.”
Harry Charles summed up: “That’s the great thing about this format – we were on the cut line after round one but everyone rallied together and we managed to get ourselves into a jump-off.
“All credit to my teammates and my incredible horse, Freda. To walk into an atmosphere like that is so impressive. I’m very proud of her and I’m so lucky to have her.”
After that penultimate qualifying leg of the LLN, the final chance for teams to qualify for the final in Barcelona rests in St Tropez- Gassin in September.
The British celebrations continued on Sunday when Ben Maher topped the grand prix riding Point Break.
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.
