‘Every chance of ending the world medal drought’
BRITAIN has not won a team world showjumping medal since bronze in 1998, nor an individual medal since the legendary John Whitaker and Milton took silver in 1990. But could the stars be aligning for a change in Herning?
This team is packed with human and equine talent of the highest order: Olympic champions Ben Maher and Explosion W (pictured, right), 2012 Olympic team gold medallist Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson, who missed out on last year’s individual Olympic final by less than half a second – and a horse Nick Skelton said would tempt him out of retirement.
Harry Charles, who made a solid senior championship debut in Tokyo with the brilliant Romeo 88 last year, has been on fire ever since, winning just about everything there is to win. Joe Stockdale and Equine America Cacharel also made their senior championship debut last year at the Europeans and impressed more than their scorelines would suggest; it is possible the mare — whom Joe’s late father Tim bought at a local auction, always believing she would compete at a championship – was slightly less fit than was ideal. But the pair have since grown into flying form.
This is a strong quartet that has every chance of ending the world medal drought, on both the team and individual podiums.
Ireland is also looking promising and in contention for the medals; they have never been on a
