WHEN I ask Graham Fletcher what it was like to be showjumping’s pin-up boy of the 1970s, there is a moment’s silence before he bursts out laughing.
“At the risk of sounding conceited, I don’t think there was a downside. I really enjoyed it!” he replies.
But Graham Fletcher was always a lot more than just a pretty face. He rode at two Olympics, was reserve for a third and went to number four as trainer of the British team. His major wins included grands prix at Meccas such as Aachen, Olympia and Dublin. A former international selector and board member of the British Show Jumping Association (now British Showjumping), for many years he has also found the time to write a column about his sport for this magazine. And most impressively, the majority of his wins were on horses that were inexpensive buys.
Born into a North Yorkshire farming family, he was introduced to riding by his father, Ken.
“Dad did a bit of point-to-pointing and hunting, but he never show jumped,” reflects Graham. “My sister Liz [now married to David Broome] and I both had ponies and Dad was really supportive and took us to shows. We all enjoyed it and it became a family day out.”
It took young Graham a while to settle on a sporting career.
Denne historien er fra July 23, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra July 23, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'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
