Scott Brash speeds into second on first day of the World Showjumping Championships

Two British riders finish in the top 10 after day one of World Showjumping Championships and medal hopes begin to mount

British showjumpers Scott Brash and Ben Maher put in flawless performances to come away from the opening day (Wednesday 10 August) of World Championship action in second and tenth places respectively, while Harry Charles and Joe Stockdale sit in 28^th and 65^th. However, the message of the day remained that there’s a lot of jumping still to be done and there’s plenty that could change before the individual and team medals are awarded.

Scott Brash was the day’s headline rider for Britain after he came away from the speed class in 79.54 seconds, less than half a second shy of first-placed Julien Epaillard and Caracole de la Roque for France. Riding Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham’s Hello Jefferson, Scott was “absolutely delighted” with the gelding’s performance.

“It’s taken years to get our partnership together and I feel like we’ve been knocking on the door many a times, but lately it feels like we’ve done some really fantastic rounds,” Scott said after his round. “He was amazing in Aachen and feels like he’s bringing that form through to the championships here.

“He feels great after day one. Okay, there’s a lot of jumping to be done but I’m delighted with the round today.”

Scott added that while the team “could do with a touch more luck”, it’s certainly a positive start.

“I think we have a really good chance in the team competition,” he said. “It’s hard to work out where we’re sitting after today, but I think we’ve all done solid rounds. Ben [Maher] done a great job, as did Harry [Charles] and Joe [Stockdale].”

Ben Maher finished in 10^th place and next-highest Brit, riding Faltic HB rather than his Tokyo ride, Explosion W, who was withdrawn when it was decided that he wasn’t quite fit enough to compete.

“I’m in a very lucky position to have the horsepower I have right now,” Ben explained. “I couldn’t have asked for a better horse to step into his shoes.”

The 12-year-old stallion owned by the Oakingham Stud certainly proved his worth and looked to give a beautiful ride for the four-time Olympian and reigning Olympic champion who, surprisingly, was competing at his first-ever world championships. The pair finished in a competitive 82.52 seconds, which was enough to tuck them neatly inside the top 10.

“I tried to keep it smooth. I did a couple of less strides in the lines, which is quite difficult for him being so small but I tried to make it as fast as I could,” Ben continued. “He’s the kind of horse that if it looks fast, I’m going to get in trouble. I have to ride him in a way that I’m going fast without him realising he’s going very fast.

“He actually was quite a slow horse when I started riding him last November. And was struggling to make the time allowed and things like that. He’s gradually with experience got quicker.”

Standing at just 16.1hh, Ben admitted that Faltic is a smaller ride than he’s used to, but what he lacks in height, he more than makes up for in other redeeming qualities.

“He’s like an overgrown pony. He goes in a snaffle, and he’s very simple,” Ben finished. “He’s very brave, he’s got a lot of ability he’s quite athletic so hopefully he’ll grow this week and show us what he’s made of.

First to go for Great Britain, and at his first ever championship, was Joe Stockdale riding the 11-year-old Equine America Cacharel.

The story behind this mare is something that’s appealed to the heart of the nation in recent weeks. The mare was bought from an auction by Joe’s late father and showjumping legend, Tim Stockdale, as a three-year-old. “He always said she’d be a championship horse, “Joe reflected. “So, to be able to bring her here and ride her was very special.”

The pair finished in 87.85 seconds but added four faults for a total of 91.85.

“I was pretty happy with how my mare jumped,” Joe said. “She felt really solid good in the ring good, and she was good with the atmosphere. Overall, I think she jumped well.

“She’s got a fantastic mind to her, she’s a real good learner,” he continued. “If you teach her something one day, she’ll come out the next day and she’s already thinking about what she’s learned before. Hopefully I won’t have another triple bar down this week now, hopefully she’s learned that!

“It was just an unlucky fence, a small mistake,” Joe said, reflecting on his round. “She jumped good enough to jump clear round that but maybe a little bit too much of a gap. It’s difficult having a triple bar into a double vertical coming out and she barely touched it so I’m not too worried!”

Harry Charles suffered a similar fate to teammate Joe when, riding his Tokyo 2020 ride Romeo 88, he had a pole down and finished in a marginally faster 84.50 with four faults to add making it a total of 88.50 seconds.

“We jumped the other 13 fences fantastic, and that last one I made a small mistake and unfortunately paid the price.” Harry commented. “I knew [the final distance] was nine strides more than it was eight strides, but I changed my plan last minute and paid the price.”

However, the 13-year-old gelding by Contact van de Heffinck has come to Herning on good form, and Harry’s excited for what’s to come this week.

“It felt pretty comfortable for him and it’s a long way round. He’s feeling really fresh – he’s got so much energy and so much stamina. I just need to keep his head in the right place, and he does the rest.”

A partnership that’s been in the making for eighteen months now, and that has continued to blossom since their Olympic debut together, Harry finished: “He’s got better and better since I’ve had him. He feels in great form, the best shape I’ve had him in and hopefully we can jump some clear rounds now the rest of the week.”

Results and what’s coming next?

At the conclusion of today’s (Wednesday 10 August) speed round, all riders will now go forward to tomorrow’s (Thursday 11 August) second qualifier. The fastest, fault-free round will be awarded a starting score of zero, while the rest of the riders will be given points and starting scores based on their faults and time.

At this point in the competition, it could be anyone’s game, but it’ll be France’s Julien Epaillard and Caracole de la Roque who start fault-free.

Today’s top 20 is as follows…

1. France’s Julien Epaillard and Caracole de le Roque
2. Great Britain’s Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson
3. Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei
4. Sweden’s Peder Fredricson and H&M All In
5. Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward
6. Canada’s Tiffany Foster and Figor
7. Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts and Katanga vh Dingeshof
8. Israel’s Daniel Bluman and Ladriano Z
9. Germany’s Christian Ahlmann and Dominator 2000 Z
10. Great Britain’s Ben Maher and Faltic HB
11. Ireland’s Bertram Allen and Pacino Amiro
12. Italy’s Antonio Maria Garofalo and Conquestador
13. Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat and Venard de Cerisy
14. Netherlands’ Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z N.O.P.
15. Belgium’s Jos Verlooy and Igor
16. Argentina’s Josê María Larocca jr and Finn Lente
17. Belgium’s Jérôme Guery and Quel Homme de Hus
18. Germany’s Marcus Ehning and Stargold
19. USA’s Brian Moggre and Balou du Reventon
20. France’s Gregory Cottard and Bibici

Photo credit: Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson stand second after day one’s World Championship showjumping action © British Equestrian / Jon Stroud Media