THE past fortnight has been nothing short of magical for Harry Charles. After delivering under pressure to help Great Britain secure a team gold medal in Paris, the 25-year-old came home, and with a different ride claimed the €165,000 (£140,600) top prize for the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) grand prix of London.
“This is my last show for a while. I’m going to take a month off and reflect on it all, it’s going to take a lot of processing,” said a stunned Harry, who partnered Sherlock to an electrifying 0.24sec victory. “I couldn’t have picked a better show to come home to and have this win after Paris. It’s just been an incredible summer.”
Harry has always held 11-year-old Sherlock in high regard – he is the horse he has owned the longest, and produced patiently from a fiveyear-old – but although gifted with carefulness and power, his father Peter and Stall Zet’s gelding was not the most obvious candidate to top the podium in this company.
Jumping last of seven against the clock, Harry had to front an intimidating target set by Germany’s Olympic individual gold medallist Christian Kukuk and 10-year-old mare Just Be Gentle.
They had propelled themselves to a spectacular 1.72sec lead over 2022 London grand prix winners Pieter Devos and the endearing 17-year-old mare Toupie De La Roque, who were lying ahead of the only other double clear, from Canadian Kyle Timm (Casino Calvin).
“I thought I was going for top three,” Harry confessed. “I didn’t think Christian was beatable. I said to my dad in the warm-up, ‘Well, that’s your winner.’ He said, ‘Just go, you never know.’ Sherlock has never gone that fast, he didn’t really have the experience for it. I guess I got a rush of blood to the head and with a good crowd behind you, you can do a lot!”
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
