ONLY IN HORSE & HOUND
Graham Fletcher assesses team hopes for Paris, and a royal faux pas
WINDSOR has always been a great show, and spectators watching the Rolex grand prix from packed stands were treated to some of the best showjumping ever seen.
Steve Guerdat is total class; every young rider should study the way he rides flat out in a jump-off, yet keeps such a beautiful rhythm. This time, Steve was eclipsed by his winning teammate Martin Fuchs on Leone Jei. In his commentary, Nick Brooks-Ward described these two as “magicians” – and I totally agree.
In fact, at what promises to be the most hotly contested Olympics in Paris – so high is the standard in our sport currently – this Swiss pair will be the major contenders for a gold medal.
Windsor’s grand prix was so competitive that small margins proved very costly. Max Kühner had the fastest time in the decider – but hitting the penultimate fence cost him €110,000 (£94,590).
OPINION
Talking to Di Lampard before the grand prix, she was clear that making a final selection for Paris will be very difficult, especially with Olympic teams now down to three. However, Di was pleased to be able to study most of those in the running here, before naming her teams for St Gallen and Rotterdam.
In my view, Ben Maher is riding better than ever. So often a top rider can have a vacuum when they lose their top horse or it retires. But Ben has moved on seamlessly from his gold medal-winning partnership with Explosion to a top string of horses.
And with his experience from his early days – when he’d win on horses with little more talent than a Blackpool donkey – Ben has every chance of another medal.
Harry Charles, already an Olympian and with some tremendous form lately, looks odds-on to be included. Scott Brash has two contenders with his up-andcoming Hello Valentino and grand prix campaigner Hello Jefferson.
Joe Stockdale, something of a rookie when on the World Championships squad in Herning, is riding really well and is now a fully fledged pro. His best horse, Equine America Cacharel, has returned from injury and he’s getting back up to speed, jumping a very good four-fault round in the grand prix at Windsor.
Equally, Tim Gredley’s Imperial HBF jumped two impressi
