"I LOVE it more than ever," says Will Biddick of his career in the saddle as a point-to-point jockey, and whose most recent season culminated in an eighth men's championship title. He is Britain's winning-most point-to-point jockey, notching 560 victories between the Flags from 1,917 starts and a further 36 hunter chase winners to date. And his appetite for more is insatiable.
Previous to this year's championship victory, Will last won the title in the 2018/19 season.
"Once you win it, you don't want to lose it and it was mine to lose," says Will, 36. "Every year I want to win it, and prior to this season I was putting a lot of pressure on myself and on my home life chasing the title - it was almost obsessive and everything was getting away from me. It was tough."
Will credits a change in tactics to regaining the championship.
"I decided I would only ride in Devon, Cornwall and Wessex; I put my family first, concentrated on my business and my mindset changed," he explains. "I rode in a more relaxed way - I wasn't trying to force it. If horses made mistakes, I gave them time to gather their thoughts and go again. The horses went better, I got a better feel from them and things were a lot smoother.
"Not that I'm a big drinker, but I stopped drinking last season too. Previously I was sweating to do 11 stone, but last year 11 stone was easy and I could do 10st 7lb, which opened up another bracket of rides. I felt fitter and sharper."
Will says the same tactics will remain in place for the forthcoming season - his 20th - as he chases a ninth title. His first came in 2011 and he repeated that feat the following three years in a row, something he credits to the late Richard Barber and Jack Barber for whom he rode, until Jack took out his licence to train under Rules at the end of the 2017 season. Will found himself back at square one.
Denne historien er fra November 09, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra November 09, 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
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
