Press release from Hickstead, edited by World of Showjumping

The host team won the CSIO5* 1.60m Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain today at Hickstead, making it a third British win in four years. Twelve months ago, Great Britain missed out on a hat-trick of victories when finishing runner up to Germany. This year, the team led from the front to claim a glorious victory ahead of Team Ireland.

“Congratulations to Di and her team,” said Hickstead Director Edward Bunn. “Football doesn't need to come home because showjumping definitely has!  We went a long time without winning the Nations Cup but now it's becoming a regular occurrence. I'd really like to thank Agria for their continued support of the show and the Nations Cup."  

Great Britain had already developed a lead at the end of the first round, thanks to clears from pathfinder Jessica Mendoza and Summerhouse (Guidam Sohn x Indoctro) and Tim Gredley on Medoc De Toxandria (Der Senaat 111 x Kelvin de Sainte Hermelle). Ben Maher picked up four faults at the open water with new ride Catelly (Catalido x Ephebe For Ever), while Adrian Whiteway was the discount score when Chacco Volo (Chacco-Blue x Carthago) refused at the water and picked up a further 16 time faults, leaving the home nation on four faults.

But the Brits didn’t have much breathing room, with Brazil in second at the half-way stage on eight faults, and the UAE and Ireland both on 12 faults to sit third, and Canada (16 faults) and Germany (17) close on their heels. Belgium and France failed to make it through to round two with 21 faults and 24 faults respectively.

In the second round, Jessica and Summerhouse knocked one fence down for four faults, while Adrian and Chacco Volo incurred eight faults. Tim – a member of the winning team in both 2023 and 2024 – delivered a superb double clear with Medoc De Toxandria, to pile pressure on Ireland, who had moved up to second place with a team total of 16 faults.

Last to go for the Irish were Conor Swail and Clonterm Obolensky (Cornet Obolensky x Lux Z), who were the only other combination to jump a double clear – meaning Great Britain’s final rider only had a fence in hand if they wanted to avoid a jump-off against the Irish. But there are few riders better than three-time Olympic gold medallist Ben Maher at dealing with pressure, and he rode Catelly to a lovely clear round to clinch the Edward, Prince of Wales Trophy.

“Typically, I'm the first rider on the team, and I was switched around today to ride last,” said Ben. “So I was in a different position and had that pressure, but it was great to be able to finish it for this amazing team. Catelly jumped incredibly and showed what he can do today, and I'm very fortunate to have the team of horses that I have.”

Tim Gredley has been on the Hickstead team three times, and has won on each occasion. “Hickstead for me is the Holy Grail, I love jumping here. To come here and jump a double clear and win on the team is brilliant, and what it's all about.”

Canada (in third place), Brazil (fourth) and the UAE (fifth) all finished on 24 faults apiece, with times deciding their eventual placings. Last year’s winners Germany slipped down the placings to finish sixth.

Matt Sampson (GBR) launched day two of five-star classes at the Agria Royal International Horse Show with his second win of the week on the 13-year-old mare One Whisper (Daniel x Kannan). Having won the first day by nearly three seconds, they doubled their advantage, heading the CSIO5* 1.45m ClipMyHorse.TV International Stakes with a mighty 5.62 seconds to spare.

“She is so fast, it’s just the rhythm she likes to jump in. I was early to go and I knew there were some fast guys behind me, so I just thought ‘keep in a rhythm and let her do her thing’," Matt said. 

Angelie von Essen (SWE) on Happiness DK Z (Hooch DK x Andiamo Z) placed second, while William Whitaker (GBR) and Cristallo's Double Take (Cristallo 7 x Monte Carlo) took third.