Tim Gredley
Horse & Hound|August 17, 2023
After several years away from the sport, the father-of-two has made a mighty comeback, including being selected for his first championship for 17 years. Jennifer Donald meets him
Jennifer Donald
Tim Gredley

SEVEN years ago, Tim Gredley turned his back on showjumping altogether. There was the family property business to run and it had been some time since he’d struck gold with a top-level win. But there’s been a sense of unfinished business for Tim, who has always been a valuable team player both on and off the field, and he missed the camaraderie and sense of achievement that flying the flag for your country brings.

Despite a major shift in circumstances, with a wife and two young children now the centre of his life, Tim took the tentative first steps back into the sport in 2019. He reinvested in horsepower and facilities at his home just outside of Newmarket, and grafted his way back up the rankings – nothing comes easy in this sport.

The now 37-year-old was welcomed back into the British team fold for a three-star Nations Cup in Spain last year with his new top horse Medoc De Toxandria, then catapulted into 2023 with a triumphant Nations Cup victory in the UAE. He’s since earned his berth on a string of Nations Cup teams, culminating in that glorious July day at Hickstead when Britain’s fab four of Tim, Ben Maher, John Whitaker and Harry Charles brought showjumping home. Most recently came selection for this month’s European Showjumping Championships in Milan. Tim is arguably now in the greatest form of his life.

“When I did it before, aged 18, 19, 20, it was a very different experience – you’re not appreciative at the time,” says Tim. “When I took a step away from the sport, I thought about what I could have done differently. I have a wife and kids now and that puts a lot of perspective on it.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 17, 2023 من Horse & Hound.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 17, 2023 من Horse & Hound.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من HORSE & HOUND مشاهدة الكل
Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Horse & Hound

Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test

Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 12, 2024
Michael Eilberg
Horse & Hound

Michael Eilberg

The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport

time-read
7 mins  |
September 12, 2024
Schooling success
Horse & Hound

Schooling success

Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils

time-read
5 mins  |
September 12, 2024
How to get a job in hunting
Horse & Hound

How to get a job in hunting

The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers

time-read
7 mins  |
September 12, 2024
Burke's Affair to remember
Horse & Hound

Burke's Affair to remember

A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie

time-read
4 mins  |
September 12, 2024
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
Horse & Hound

Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory

After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix

time-read
4 mins  |
September 12, 2024
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
Horse & Hound

Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory

After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix

time-read
4 mins  |
September 12, 2024
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
Horse & Hound

'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'

The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events

time-read
4 mins  |
September 12, 2024
Hamlett takes centre stage
Horse & Hound

Hamlett takes centre stage

Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible

time-read
4 mins  |
September 12, 2024
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Horse & Hound

'This is the ultimate five-star test'

Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions

time-read
3 mins  |
September 12, 2024