As a young rider, Duncan Inglis was one of the great hopes of show jumping until deciding to concentrate on novice horses.
Duncan Inglis is set to make a welcome return to Olympia this year. This will be the first time he has competed at the famous Christmas show since he won the Vauxhall Young Showjumper of the Year Award 14 years ago after topping the points table at the Towerlands qualifying show.
As winter approaches, Duncan is concentrating on starting a new bunch of youngsters at his home in Uckfield, East Sussex, where he lives with his wife Claire and three-year-old daughter Amy, who already has her first pony.
“I don’t like horses standing in their stables. Most days, the horses will come out of their stables two or three times so they don¨t get bored. We also do plenty of gymnastic work to make the youngsters supply and put great value on flatwork.”
During the past year Duncan has returned to show jumping’s top flight with the German-bred Shearwater Antonius,who he owns in partnership with David McPherson.
“Antonius is a real fighter and competitor. He really wants to win for you. He is so balanced, scopey and uncomplicated that it makes my job quite easy.
Although Duncan rarely keeps a horse to compete at top level, he describes winning the Horse and Hound Foxhunter Championship in 1996 as one of his career highlights and is looking forward to competing at Olympia.
“I enjoy everything about the sport, whether it’s travelling, competing, producing or just being around fellow riders at shows. I have no complaints, I’ve had a lot of nice horses through my hand and I wouldn’t want to change a thing.”
To read the full interview with Duncan Inglis see Horse &Hound issue dated, 2 November.
