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.
This story is from the August 24, 2023 edition of Horse & Hound.
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 August 24, 2023 edition of Horse & Hound.
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
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