The Bolesworth International will return in June 2024 as a two-week back-to-back summer festival tour.
Taking place over the 6 – 9 June and the 12 – 16 June 2024, the first weekend of the event will have more of an industry focus, whilst the second will focus on attracting the public with lifestyle and entertainment elements like 2023, as well as an Eventing Grand Prix, Mini Major and Puissance class.
Both weekends will incorporate similar schedules with CSI 3*/CSI 1*/CSI Am/CSI YH (5, 6 & 7yo)/CSICh/CSIP classes, with riders able to take advantage of a total of six Longines Ranking classes over the course of the event, including two 1.55m Grand Prix.
The Bolesworth Elite Auction will take place on Friday 7 June, with applications taken soon for foals due early in 2024, yearlings and exclusive implanted embryos.
The full schedule will be announced in due course.
The new format for the Bolesworth International means that the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Young Horse Championships, incorporating the FEI World Breeding Championship qualifiers will unfortunately not take place in 2024.
Nina Barbour, Bolesworth Managing Director said: “We’re hugely excited by this new format and our plans for 2024, as our priority at Bolesworth remains developing equestrian events to a world-class standard now and into the future.
“The decision to not move forward with the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Young Horse Championships was extremely difficult, and we are hugely grateful for the support we have had from the team at Al Shira’aa and all our other partners to date. All options were investigated to retain the event, but unfortunately, the need to consolidate and use infrastructure for two weeks meant finding a suitable date to run it back-to-back with the International was not possible.
‘We feel strongly that it’s so important for our up-and-coming riders and horses to have opportunities to jump at an international level over more than one week at the same venue; before this, riders have had to travel abroad to find, and look forward to hosting six ranking classes over the 11-day period, including two CSI3* 1.55m Grand Prix’s.”
Iain Graham, CEO of British Showjumping said: “We are very grateful for the backing of Al Shira’aa and the team at Bolesworth in the support and profile they have given to the Young Horse Championships. Next year will see Nina and the team at Bolesworth host two CSI 3* competitions in June, and we as a sport are very fortunate to continue to have the opportunity to compete at this level at this fabulous venue in Cheshire!”
Our advocate Emily King is thrilled to be competing at her first Burghley, although she first came here as a baby of nine months old when her mother Mary King won the event in 1996. Emily tells us how her preparations have gone and her expectations for the weekend ahead at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials.
“I am so excited to be competing here myself although, I’ve been here many times with Mum so it helps to know how it all works. I’m on a super horse with Valmy Biats and this will be my third year with him, so I am getting to know him really well and really getting him in tune with me. I’ve done a few five stars on him but it is my first Burghley so it would be great complete. I am a very competitive person, so I’d love to give it a really good shot but ultimately, I want him to come home safe and sound and the main aim is just to have a completion. If I can jump clear on the cross country and jump clear on the last day, even better and if I can do all that and be competitive then that’s just a bonus. I want to prioritise just getting through that finish line.
“I have had some good four-star short runs. He went to Badminton in the wet and had a really good spin until I found that he was finding the going just a bit too relentless and he’s such a trying horse I didn’t want to break his spirit or actually break him and cause a problem to happen by being a bit greedy. If he was telling me he was a bit tired I wanted to save him for another day which is what I did. I rerouted to Luhmhulen where we had an annoying glance off cross-country which was his first 20 penalties on the cross-country, in his life so that’s not really him, we just had a bit of a miscommunication. Apart from that he jumped phenomenally, and show jumped super on the last day. Then he was third at Burgham more recently. I am very happy with where he is fitness is at and everything crossed that we can have a good week.
“I couldn’t ask for a better partner in Valmy, he’s a super horse and a very good jumper. He’s very brave and bold and I do think a bigger track suits him, but this is quite big! I am interested to see how he copes here on Saturday compared to Badminton. We are on the top of the ground here which will surely help.
“I was pleased with my dressage as have been working to improve his way of going since Luhmuhlen and he’s learnt a huge amount. Parts of his test were the best he’s ever done but we made some little mistakes in our test. When we get everything perfect he’s going to be a proper 20s scoring horse. But it’s all to play for in the cross-country.”
Day one of the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Young Horse Show got off to a great start. Below is a summary of the highlights from the day.
Ashdale Sports Horses 4 Year Old Qualifier
43 of the 77 starters jumped clear in the Ashdale Sports Horses 4-Year-Old Qualifier and therefore have qualified directly for Saturday’s Final and have been placed equal first in this A1 class. The remaining 34 combinations will have to jump clear in tomorrow’s qualifier in order to qualify for the final.
Dallamires Stables 5 Year Old Qualifier
The second class of the day in the International ring was the Dallamires Stables 5-year-old qualifier, where 124 horse and rider combinations were hoping to jump clear and qualify for the Final on Saturday. 52 jumped clear and placed equal first. Unlike in the 4-Year-Old Qualifier, the competitors must jump both qualifiers and are awarded points depending on their finishing positions. Tomorrow’s qualifier will be a two-phase competition where each combination will jump against the clock in the second phase where the top 50 will be decided across both qualifiers and qualify for their final on Saturday.
Windmill Farm Estate 6-Year-Old Qualifier
Over in the castle ring we kicked off with the first of the Windmill Farm Estate 6-year-old qualifiers, where we had 110 starters in the two-phase competition. Benjamin Bick came out on top, riding John Renwick’s, “Michelob” just only 0.11 seconds over Nicole Pavitt in a second. The second qualifier will take place on Friday morning and will be when we find out which combinations qualify for the 6-year-old final on Sunday.
Benjamin Bick with Michelob (GBR
Nicole Pavitt with Cornet of Follyfoot (GBR)
Nicole Lockhead Andeson with Quanthargos PS (GBR)
Photos courtesy of 1st Class Images
Helite UK CSI1* 1.25
The first of our International classes was the Helite UK CSI 1* 1.25 in the Castle Arena. This two-phase was won by the ever consistent, Mark Edwards and Casque d’OR (owned by Amber Bundock) in a time of 21.76, beating Tallulah Mackenzie Smith in second and Lucille Jane Porter in third.
Mark Edwards with Casque d’OR (GBR)
Tallulah Mackenzie Smith with Karaibes (GBR)
Lucille Jane Porter with Lufrieda (GBR)
Al Shira’aa 7 Year Old Qualifier
A dominant performance once again from Ben Bick saw him and Diamonds Diabolo Z take the win in the Al Shira’aa 7-year-old qualifier where he also took third, with John Crippen snatching second. Out of the 79 starters, 23 jumped double clear and 16 combinations in the prize money. The second qualifier on Friday will determine the top 50 that will qualifier for Sunday’s final.
LeMieux CSI2* 1.30
The final class of the day in the Castle ring was the first of the LeMieux 2* classes. Kara Whiteway came out on top of the hotly contested 1.30 class out of 74 combinations, with a time of 21.92 just under a second ahead of Ireland’s Sven Headley and Philip Spivey in third.
An exclusive collection of elite foals and implanted embryos from black-type dams will be auctioned at Bolesworth this Friday 18 August at 8.30pm.
The Bolesworth Elite Foal Auction presented by Gallagher takes place during the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Young Horse Championships, taking place at the historic Cheshire castle from 16th – 20th August.
The auction will commence with two charity lots offering semen for Ecclestone Z and Chacco Bay, in aid of Nature’s Safe, the charity masterminded by Tullis Matson. These will be followed by two implanted embryos and 22 foals, with the foals available to view online now or in-person at the show from 17th August. An official preview will take place in the Bolesworth International Arena on Thursday evening at approx. 8.30pm, available to watch live on ClipMyHorse.tv.
Nina Barbour, Managing Director of Bolesworth said: “It’s an absolute privilege for the Bolesworth team and I to be showcasing this exclusive collection of foals and embryos out of black-type dams, destined for the top of equestrian sport”.
“Not only are these foals out of seriously well-related dams, many of whom have competed at the highest level of sport, we have some of the best sires ever represented in this collection”.
“It’s a Bolesworth first to be presenting a direct Heartbreaker foal, together with legends Chacco Blue, Diamant De Semilly, Cornet Obolensky, Aganix De Seigneur, and the late Conthargos represented to name a few”.
The five-day Al Shira’aa Bolesworth International Horse Championship is free* to attend and showcase’s the UK’s rising talent as they compete for their place at the World Breeding Championships at Lanaken, Belgium in September. Top international names such John Whitaker, William & Pippa Funnell, Billy Twomey and others will be competing in international showjumping, with 1.45m Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon.
There’ll also be equestrian and lifestyle shopping, food, drink, kids activities and a dog zone with have-a-go agility.
*Please note a parking charge applies. Buy online ahead of the event for just £5 plus fees, or £10 on the gate.
The final day at the Dodson & Horrell Bolesworth International Horse Show on Sunday delivered plenty of intense action across all classes, from the ultra-competitive big-money Dodson & Horrell CSI3* Grand Prix, to the fun Fancy Dress Mini Major pairs relay.
The climax of the week came when title partner Dodson & Horrell’s 1.50m Grand Prix took to the ring. It was won by Louise Saywell with Kingsborough Kasper, second was Angelie Von Essen on Daniel and third, Robert Murphy on How Easy.
This highly-revered event at Bolesworth has been developed for the best of the best, the one riders aspire to win and is a huge test for both horse and rider. After two rounds of qualification, 50 riders were seeded through to the main event.
The course was designed by world renowned course designer Louis Konickx. Before the start of the class, Louis stated that he was using the event to test a few ideas ahead of designing the course at the World Championships at Herning in Denmark next month. Consequently, the course proved to be challenging, big and technical with a tight time resulting in only three riders going clear in the first round.
The top 25 per cent went through to the second round carrying faults forward from round one. The only three to go clear in round one put in faultless performances to fill the podium, with Louise Saywell leading from the front. She said: “I’m totally ecstatic with Kasper. In his last three or four Grand Prix’s he’s been double clear and in the top five. He won the last one at Keysoe two star, so this was a big one. He hadn’t done a 1.50m, but he’s just got such a lot of talent. We always believed he could do it, however, until they are doing it, you never know.”
-CSI 3* Grand Prix winner Louise Saywell with Kingsborough Kasper Dodson & Horrell Bolesworth International Horse Show 2022
Earlier in the day, Bolesworth’s managing director Nina Barbour donned her riding boots and won the opening class on home turf. She won the Röwer & Rüb Amateur 1.25m Grand Prix on her 12-year-old mare Ardis. Nina said: “I’m delighted with my horse Ardis; she is actually owned by my mum, Diana Barbour. She’s back from injury which has taken a few years but she’s a little star and I’m really happy with her.”
The Le Mieux CSI3* Mini Major class has always been a Bolesworth crowd-pleaser and didn’t disappoint. Professional and pony riders, all kitted out in fancy dress, engaged in a competition to each complete a round in the quickest time, with the fewest faults. The youngsters thrilled the Bolesworth crowd with their skill and determination and Guy Williams with team-mate Alex Leggott won the class in convincing style.
Elsewhere at the Dodson & Horrell International Horse Show, the Ride & Drive relay on Thursday, headed by England football legend Michael Owen and supported by Lexus Chester, kept the crowd on their feet cheering as the riders and drivers charged around the Bolesworth International arena.
The Science Supplements A-List Auction was presented to an enthusiastic audience on Friday evening, attracting intense bidding. Amazing Luck Z, a stunning 5-year-old gelding by Aganix out of the full sister of Cian O’Connor’s top ride Good Luck, topped the Ridden Lot, selling to Ireland for £105,000, while the hammer dropped on the Chacco Blue Yearling Chacornwall JHH Z at £36,000.
It was Ladies Day on Saturday where many hospitality guests took the opportunity to put on their glam rags to win exclusive prizes from the team at Liverpool One. And, throughout the weekend the show took on a family-orientated theme with dog shows, dog agility, pony rides and a Dressage horse simulator among the non-equestrian activities.
The next event at Bolesworth is the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Young Horse Championships, 10– 14August. This five-day young-horse showcase will feature additional attractions for the whole family and incorporate the World Breeding Jumping Championship Qualifiers for 2022. International Showjumping will run alongside the classes.
For more information on the Dodson & Horrell Bolesworth International Horse Show and Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Young Horse Championships, visit: www.bolesworthinternational.com
Sunday Day 5 Results Roundup:
Dodson & Horrell CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix
1. GBR Louise Saywell/Kingsborough Kasper, 2. SWE Angelie Von Essen/Daniel, 3. GBR Robert Murphy/How Easy, 4. GBR Adrian Speight/Millfield Balony, 5. GBR Anna Power/McQueen, 6. GBR Yazmin Davis/Zanbowa Z, 7. GBR William Funnell/Equine America Billy Diamo, 8. IRL Anthony Condon/Sfs Vincomte, 9. GBR Annabel Shields/Creevagh Carisma, 10. IRL David Simpson/Medoc de Toxandria.
Röwer & Rüb Amateur 1.25m Grand Prix
1. GBR Nina Barbour/Ardis, 2. GBR Tony Pearson/Berlin, 3. GBR Dafydd Watkin Jones/Quando de L’Ecuyer
Le Mieux CSI3* Mini Major
1. GBR Guy Williams/Alex Leggott, 2. GBR Jay Halim/Summer Weirzbicki, 3. GBR Robert Murphy/Annabel Widdowson.
Cavago CSI3* 1.35m
1. GBR Harry Wainwright/Pinheiro Beech, 2. GBR Louise Saywell/Sharp Image, 3. GBR Mark Edwards/Ede Peasy.
Al Shira’aa CSI-YH 7-year-old Final
1. GBR James Whitaker/Just Call Me Henry, 2. GBR Louise Saywell/King Blue, 3. GBR James Smith/Wicked Vancouver.
Beaverbrooks CSI YH 5-year-old Final
1. GBR Emma Stoker/Comme Ci, Comme Ca, 2. GBR Drew Walton/Solid Gold Hs Z, 3. GBR Carmen Edwards/Escape The Gossip.
In the final part of this series, we look at team GB’s Jumping squad, to see if they have what it takes to win the gold at the Tokyo Olympics.
The Jumping Squad
Scott Brash (34) based in Horsham, West Sussex (from Peebles, Peeblesshire) with Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham’s Hello Jefferson (bay, gelding, 16.1hh, 12yrs, Cooper van de Heffink x Irco Mena.)
Breeder: Bernard Mols BEL, Groom: David Honnet.
Ben Maher (38) based in Bishop Stortford, Hertfordshire, with Charlotte Rossetter, Pamela Wright and his own Explosion W (chestnut, gelding, 16.1hh, 12yrs, Chacco-Blue x Baloubet de Rouet.)
Breeder: W Wijnen NED, Groom: Cormac Kenny.
Holly Smith (30) based in Loughborough, Leicestershire, with Ian Dowie’s Denver (bay, gelding, 17.1hh, 13yrs, Albfueheren’s Memphis x Chico’s Boy.)
Breeder: MG and AA Woertman NED, Groom: Kate Dodd.
Travelling reserve
Harry Charles (21) based in Alton, Hampshire, with Ann Thompson and his own Romeo 88 (bay, gelding, 17hh, 12yrs, Contact van de Heffinck x Orlando.)
Team GB Chef de Mission for the Tokyo Olympic Games, Mark England, said: “We are delighted to welcome returning Olympic gold medallists Scott and Ben to Team GB for the Tokyo Olympic Games who add an incredible amount of experience to this exciting side. I’d also like to congratulate Holly on her selection; a pivotal moment as she becomes the first female named on the Team GB jumping team in 45 years and we have no doubt that this debut Games will be a very special experience for both her and her teammates.”
Speaking about the selection, British Equestrian Performance Director and Equestrian Team Leader for Tokyo, Richard Waygood, said; “This is an exciting squad with three riders and incredibly talented horses in peak form ahead of the Games despite the challenges of competing with a COVID restricted calendar. There’s a great mix of experience and youth and will be a great sense of camaraderie in the camp as we strive to push for podium performances.”
The Jumping Squad Facts
● Holly Smith is the first woman to make an Olympic Showjumping team since 1976 when Debbie Johnsey just missed out on an individual medal in Montreal.
● Holly runs a hugely successful producing and dealing business with her husband Graham. Horses they have discovered for relatively low prices include Dougie Douglas who gave Holly her first big break; and Quarrycrest Echo who won eventing team gold at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon with Piggy French.
● Holly has juggled professional show jumping and running a successful business with being a mum to Rosie. She also hunts in her spare time. Rosie is also turning out to be a chip off the old block and proving a fearless and talented rider.
● In London 2012 Ben Maher and Scott Brash won Team GB’s first show jumping gold medal for 60 years.
● Reserve rider Harry Charles is the son of Peter Charles who also helped win the team gold in 2012 alongside Scott, Ben and Nick Skelton.
● This will be Hollie and Harry Charles’ first Olympic appearance.
● In 2015, Scott became the first and only rider in history to win the Rolex Grand Slam of show jumping- winning all three of the sport’s most prestigious events in a year.
● Scott retained the title of World No 1 in the Longines FEI world rankings for a whole 12 months- that is quite a feat.
● Scott’s horse philosophy: “I believe you can only achieve exceptional things if you build a partnership with a horse and that takes time and trust” and “Horses as family, always.”
● This will be Ben Maher’s fourth appearance at an Olympic Games. He first represented Britain in Beijing (2008) followed by London (2012) and then Rio (2016).
● Ben thinks his horse Explosion W is the greatest he has ever sat on. At one stage their future together was in jeopardy as the horse was up for sale. Luckily for Ben, he was bought by owners and Ben retained the ride.
● Explosion W was awarded the accolade of leading show jumping horse in the world in 2019. He is by Chacco Blue who has been one of the best represented horses amongst his progeny at most Championships since 2015. The stallion himself topped the prestigious WBFSH show jumping sire rankings for two years in 2018 and 2019.
● Di Lampard is Team GB’s first female chef d’equipe.
With the Tokyo Olympics just around the corner, Horse Scout journalist Ellie Kelly takes a look at the recently selected British Dressage team that will be going for gold this summer.
The Team for Tokyo:
Charlotte Dujardin (35) based in Newent, Gloucestershire with Renai Hart, Carl Hester and her own Gio (chestnut, gelding, 10yrs, Apache x Tango.)
Breeders: H J de Jong, A Valk NED, Groom: Alan Davies.
Charlotte (Lottie) Fry (25) based in Den Hout, the Netherlands (from Scarborough, North Yorkshire) with Van Olst Horses and her own Everdale (black stallion, 17.2hh, 12yrs, Lord Leatherdale x Negro.)
Breeder: P Kluytmans NED, Groom: Steven Caley.
Carl Hester (53) based in Newent, Gloucestershire (from Sark, The Channel Islands) with Sandra Biddlecombe, Charlotte Dujardin, Lady Anne Evans and his own En Vogue (darkbay, gelding, 12yrs, 17hh, Jazz x Contango.)
Breeder: A Van der Goor NED, Groom: Lucy Scudamore.
Travelling reserve
Gareth Hughes (50) based in Southam, Warwickshire with Judy Firmston-Williams and his own Sintano Van Hof Olympia (bay, gelding, 16.3hh, 11yrs, Sandro Hit x Silvano.)
Breeder: Hof Olympia NED, Groom: Steph Sharples.
Dressage Facts
● Tokyo will be Carl Hester’s sixth Olympics.
● Both Charlotte’s have been trained by Carl. Lottie Fry started training with Carl at the age of 14.
● Carl was born on the tiny Channel island of Sark, where no cars existed at the time. Transport was by horse or donkey. He started his equestrian career by learning to ride on a donkey and then helping with the local horse-drawn taxi business in his childhood.
● Carl’s Tokyo Olympic ride En Vogue is part owned by Charlotte Dujardin and she produced and competed it until 18 months ago.
● En Vogue lives out in the field most of the time which helps his slightly hot temperament.
● Lottie Fry attributes her talent and her inspiration to her mother. She is the daughter of the late Laura Fry who competed on the British Team winning silver at the Europeans Championships and was part of the team at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 but sadly passed away in 2012.
● Lottie moved to Holland in 2014 when she was just 16 years old and has been based there ever since. She was introduced to Anne van Olst by Carl and it is with the Van Olst horses that Lottie has had great success. Anne owns her Olympic horse, Everdale and trains the pair most days.
● Lottie who is ranked 35th in the world, made her senior debut for the British team less than two years ago.
● Charlotte Dujardin is the most successful British rider in dressage history. She has won every major title possible including three gold and one silver Olympic medals, as well as two golds won at the World Equestrian Games. She holds all three world records in the sport and is the only rider to date, to hold the complete set of individual titles at the same time.
● If Charlotte won another individual gold at Tokyo, she would be just the second rider ever to win three successive medals. The first was Holland’s Anky van Grunsven.
● Charlotte, Carl and Lottie finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the FEI Dressage World Cup at the London International Horse Show at Olympia in 2019.
● Carl and Charlotte’s horses work in the school just four days a week. They all hack and get turned out in paddocks most days. Carl and Charlotte are great believers that horses should be allowed to be horses and relax so that schooling and competing isn’t considered as stressful and unpleasant.
● Gareth Hughes grew up in Australia where he competed in Showing and Western riding as well as Dressage.
The news of who has made the cut for the three equestrian teams heading to Tokyo Olympics was announced last week, so we thought we would bring you the story behind the story, with some fun facts about those riders selected to compete. First up, we will look at the British eventing team.
The eventing team:
Laura Collett (31) based in Salperton, Gloucestershire, with Karen Bartlett, Keith Scott and her own London 52 (bay, gelding, 12yrs, 16.3hh, Landos x Quinar.)
Tom McEwen (30) based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, with Fred and Penny Barker, Jane Inns and Ali McEwen’s Toledo de Kerser (bay, gelding, 14yrs, 16.1hh, Diamant de Semilly x Papillon Rouge.)
Oliver Townend (38) based in Ellesmere, Shropshire, with Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan’s Ballaghmor Class (grey, gelding, 14yo, 16.2hh, s. Courage II.)
Breeder: Noel Hicky IRL, Groom: Jess McKie
Travelling reserve- Piggy March (40) based in Maidwell, Northamptonshire, with John and Chloe Perry and Alison Swinburn’s Brookfield Innocent (bay, gelding, 12yrs, 16.3hh, Innocent x Kings Servant.
Breeder: John Mulvey IRL, Groom: Amy Phillip
Eventing
● The last time the British eventing team won a Olympic team gold medal was 1972. Richard Meade (father of Olympic longlisted rider Harry Meade) also won individual gold that year.
● Unlike previous Olympics were there were four riders with one drop score, now only three riders will compete and all scores will count. The fourth rider is a travelling reserve. The last time there were only three riders competing at an Olympics was Mexico City 1968, when Team GB also won team gold. Britain won two of their three team gold medals under the three rider format. Perhaps this is a sign for things to come…
● The 49 year Olympic eventing team’s gold medal absence may be surprising given the Brits are reigning world champions, an accolade won in at the World Equestrian Games, Tryon in 2018, where British rider Ros Canter also picked up the individual title.
● None of the three selected riders or reserve for Tokyo 2021, have ever been on an Olympic team before.
● The four selected horses have all finished either first or second in at least one 5*. Three of the four riders have won at least one 5*.
● Two of the four selected horses are Irish bred. Ballaghmor Class is by Courage II, whilst reserve horse Brookfield Inocent is by Inocent out of a mare by Kings Servant.
● Laura Collett suffered a death defying fall in 2013 and was in an induced coma for six days. She was left partially sighted when a fragment of bone got into her bloodstream and damaged the retina. She has learnt to ride with this disability and it is the reason she competes with special glasses.
● Laura started in the world of showing when she won the Supreme Pony title at the Horse of the Year Show. She then made her first British event team at the age of 15 riding a home-produced pony called Noble Springbok with whom she won individual bronze and team gold at the European Championships.
● Laura won nine medals during her youth career, seven of those were gold and since moving into the senior ranks she has been selected for three European Championships as an individual.
● Tom McEwen is based on the Princess Royal’s Gatcombe estate, a stone’s throw from the yard of the Queen’s granddaughter and fellow eventer, Zara Tindall.
● Tom is from a very horsey background- his father Bobby McEwen is a world renowned equine vet who was on the vet team at Badminton horse trials for 30 years; his mother Ali was a showjumper and his sister Ella competed on two British pony teams. His uncle John McEwen was Vice President of the FEI for eight years.
● Oliver Townend has been a world number one rider on numerous occasions. He was the leading rider on British Eventing points in six of the nine years between 2011-2020.
● Oliver has won six times at five-star level, including three back to back victories at the US 5* Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event.
● Oliver is the son of a milkman from Huddersfield. Despite having no financial leg-up bought the impressive eventing set-up Gadlas Farm, at the age of 25 years old from money made by buying and selling horses.
● Reserve rider, Piggy March (nee French) was the last rider to win Badminton which took place in 2019. She finished 2nd to Laura Collett at Pau in 2020 with Brookfield Inocent- the horse’s 5* debut.
● Piggy earned selection for the 2012 Olympic Games but was forced to withdraw fairly late in the day, due to an injury to her horse.
Mollie Summerland is the name on everyone’s lips right now. That’s because the relatively unknown 23 year old has just become the youngest ever winner of a CCI5*, when she led from start to finish at Luhmuhlen last week.
Speaking after her show jumping round Mollie said “I don’t ever want this day to end, It’s been the most amazing experience. The first people I want to thank are the organisers. With all the things going on in the world right now, it’s amazing what you have achieved. It’s hard to sum up how I feel right now, but this horse has changed my life.”
She came to the event without a coach and navigated huge logistical hurdles to get there because of a German ban on travelers from the U.K. due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“I would rather have ridden dressage or cross-country again,” she said. “I don’t feel so experienced in show jumping and was a little nervous, but my horse is simply amazing. I’ve never won a three-day-event, that’s something I used to dream about.” It was only Mollie’s second 5 star, having finished 10th at Pau in 2020.
Mike Etherington-Smith’s cross-country proved to be very influential. Fifteen of 24 starters completed. (The original entry list of more than 70 was decimated by a mass withdrawal of British riders due to the German travel restrictions.) Four riders finished clear within the time allowed. Mollie was one of them, hanging onto her dressage lead.
Horse Scout caught up with Mollie to find out more:
Now you’ve had time to let it all sink in, how would you sum up that winning feeling?
I find it so difficult to put it into words. I am sitting here trying to write a post about it all and I don’t know what to say. It was truly special though.
What were your expectations?
I wanted to get another 5 * under my belt. There was part of me that wanted another top 10 finish but really I wanted a bit more mileage. So to win it was totally unexpected.
How did you feel before going into the show-jumping, knowing you didn’t have a fence in hand?
I was pretty nervous. It has always been the weaker phase for both of us and don’t have much confidence. I have started training with Jay Halim. Consistency with trainers really helps and I have never got into a proper system with one trainer before I started using Jay.
I videoed the show jumping and sent it to Jay on Sunday morning. He believes that the goal for the show jumping warm up should be to send the horse in with confidence, he wants the rider to also believe in themselves before they go in. Fine tuning things is what it’s all about and when you make those small changes it can be the difference between having a rail and jumping a clear round.
Who else do you train with?
I use Robin Dumas for the cross-country at Rosamund Green Farm. For Dressage I use Carl Hester and Olivia Oakley. It’s my favourite phase and I was actually a bit disappointed he missed one of the flying changes. It was 34 degrees that day so it was really intense to work a horse in that phase. Some horses really felt the heat and actually we hadn’t considered that element.
What did you think of the cross-country phase, which seemed to cause alot of problems?
It was a proper 5 star track. My trainer Robin said when you’re going around a 5 star you can’t expect it to be pretty all the way around. You just have to get round! He was fantastic and he didn’t take any mistakes that I made personally.
How did you find Charly?
I found him in Belgium as a five year old. I looked at 200 horses and he was the last I saw. I was meant to be looking at another one and just saw him over the stable door and liked the look. He hadn’t even jumped under the saddle so I tried him on the flat and they sent me a video of him loose jumping. He had his first jump with me in the UK.
You met the breeder at Luhmuhlen- what did he say?
I always try to stay in contact with the people I buy horses off. We had to use google translate to communicate. He was so proud. He was even in a newspaper in Germany and he said that it was the greatest achievement of his life having bred Charly.
I have a three year old stallion out of Charley’s full sister. He is at Caunton Stud where he will stay until early next year.
You’ve had to move yards several times in the last year, that must be pretty unsettling?
I had to move all my horses several times. It’s really difficult when you don’t own your stables. I am now at Julia Norman’s which is great. I was even living in my horsebox at stages.
How do you make it all work?
It’s not easy. I have some lovely owners but my parents don’t have the finances to consistently help me. As the money comes in it goes straight back out.
It was pretty tough and expensive to get out to Luhmuhlen so it was lucky to have some prize money to come home with. I won £33,000 so that is a life-changing amount for me.
How did you negotiate the logistical problems presented when Germany refused the entry of people from the UK?
We went to Tim Lips for 10 days to do our quarantine in the Netherlands. Together with Tim and Jonelle Price, who were also competing. So it was a really fun atmosphere.
How did you start riding?
I went to a riding school. My parents aren’t horsey at all, although Mum is supportive and can muck out but she wouldn’t feel confident enough to tack him up or anything.
What is the plan from here?
Charley will have a holiday and then we will make some plans. I will speak to Dickie Waygood (Team GB Performance Manager) and see if we can work out an autumn goal.
The Horse Scout team would like to wish Mollie every success for the future.
Interview with Mollie Summerland conducted by Horse Scout journalist – Ellie Kelly.
British Eventing is delighted to announce that Helen West will take over at the helm of the sport’s governing body from 2nd August. There seems no better person suited to the job as CEO – Helen brings forward a wealth of experience in the sport of eventing, as a competitor, event organiser, course builder and board member.
As a competitor her accolades are many; a former Young Rider gold medallist, she has evented to CCI4* level, representing Great Britain on multiple occasions and competing at the highest levels in all three Olympic disciplines. She still actively competes when time allows.
Helen has managed all equestrian events at Bicton Arena for Clinton Devon Estates, for the last eight years and was previous Event Riders’ Association Organiser of the Year. She is responsible for the hugely popular Bicton Horse Trials, which runs three times each season from BE80 to CCI3*. Bicton also hosts the Grassroots BE100 three-day event. In 2021 Helen has been instrumental in developing the inaugural BE90 three-day event as well as organising a replacement fixture for Bramham CCI4* to take place in June this year. Helen is also an FEI Level 3 cross country course designer and a member of the British Eventing Cross Country Advisory Group. Her focus has been to raise event standards and she is a firm believer in the importance of educational courses for horse and rider.
It is fair to say that BE has, as a governing body, received it’s fair share of upheaval and unrest as far as leadership and executive decisions are concerned – with three CEO’s appointed in as many years and a loss of confidence from many members. It is hoped that Helen, who has a huge amount of respect from riders, owners and other BE members, will be a guiding light and bring the member’s body out of the doldrums.
Commenting on her appointment, Helen said: “I am thrilled to have been appointed as British Eventing’s Chief Executive; the sport has been a large part of my life for many years. As a membership organisation, collaboration with key stakeholders is essential to developing growth within the sport and providing a sustainable business model for the future. This requires both knowledge and vision, which I will bring to the organisation. My vision is for the sport to unite together and thrive.”
Fiona O’Hara, Chair of the Board said, “The Board and I are very much looking forward to working with Helen. Her deep understanding of all facets of the sport and her vision for its future make her an outstanding choice for Chief Executive. We would also like to pay tribute to Jude Matthews who has worked incredibly hard as the outgoing Chief Executive to guide the sport through the Covid pandemic. We wish Jude every success in the next chapter of her career.”
The recruitment process for Chief Executive was led by the BE Board, with candidates sourced through an advertising campaign and a head-hunter. Candidates were shortlisted to be interviewed by three panels comprising two Non-Executive Directors and one Stakeholder Association Chair from the BEOA, EHOA and ERA of GB, followed finally by an interview with Chair Fiona O’Hara.
