TO win the Longines King George V Gold Cup is amazing; to jump the only double clear is something in itself. But to do all that on a horse we’ve had for so long, who was bred by my dad, means the world.
But just a month ago, I had a very different plan for riding the King’s Cup. My other horse Evert jumps very well at Hickstead and was fifth in the class last year, but he picked up a small injury at the Derby meeting in June and won’t be back for a month or so.
Vermento has been jumping well though, including on the Nations Cup team at Falsterbo, which was great preparation for Hickstead. So I didn’t jump the grand prix there, gave him a week off and brought him to the Royal International.
Hickstead is a special ring and when the horses are confident in there, they jump much better, so I wanted to get Vermento in the arena as much as possible and I actually jumped both five star-classes on the opening day, which is unusual.
I used the first class to get him nice and relaxed before the big class, the first of his two 1.50m qualifiers, where he finished seventh. Then he had one down in Saturday’s qualifier, but he was giving me a really good feeling. In the meantime, I’d watched Great Britain’s incredible Nations Cup win on Friday, with my dad on the team, so that set a very good mood for the weekend!
I live close by, near Horley, and on Sunday morning I actually had lots of jobs to do at home – feeding the young ones in the field, fixing some fencing and riding the younger horses – so the big class was far from the front of my mind. I left for the show at about midday ahead of the class starting at 2.15pm, but I was drawn late, so I didn’t jump till 3.30pm.
Denne historien er fra August 24, 2023-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
Denne historien er fra August 24, 2023-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
