Longines Royal International, All England Jumping Course, W Sussex
NEARLY 50 years after John Whitaker jumped his first Nations Cup for Great Britain in Poland in 1975, he made his 180th team appearance a day to remember, sealing victory for a close-knit British team in front of an ecstatic home crowd. It was a moment that caused this Yorkshireman to shed a tear - and he certainly wasn't the only one.
"It's brilliant to be back winning in front of our home crowd," said the 67-year-old. "I wasn't quite here in 1929 [when the Nations Cup first ran] but the first time I came to Hickstead was in 1970 with a pony - that was daunting-but today was, probably, after all those years, the best day."
Great Britain hadn't won on home soil for 13 years and the enormity of the occasion had a similar effect on chef d'équipe Di Lampard.
"I have to confess, I took myself off and shed a tear. I'm not normally like that, but this did hit me because I wanted this so badly," she revealed.
Friday's Longines FEI Nations Cup of Great Britain was an absolute thriller. Three of the eight countries were neck and neck after round one of this two-round competition, with Great Britain tied on four faults with Ireland and France.
This was thanks to British clears from pathfinder Ben Maher, contesting his first team competition with Pamela Wright and Charlotte Rossetter's 14-year-old Exit Remo, and Harry Charles on last year's double-clear hero Casquo Blue, while Tim Gredley (Medoc De Toxandria) and John with his great partner Equine America Unick Du Francport collected just four faults each.
BLOOD RULE ELIMINATION
Denne historien er fra August 03, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra August 03, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
'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
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
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions
