What is the proudest moment of your career so far – either in riding, equestrian or breeding?
I have been fortunate to have had some amazing moments in my career this far. In terms of my riding career, I have a few proud moments, including winning the Young Riders class at the Horse of the Year Show in 1991 and being part of the Young Rider Team that won gold at the 1992 European Championships in San Remo on Welham. As an owner, Welham was an amazing horse, after my career with him he went on to compete with John Whitaker and won so many classes. His biggest achievement was winning the Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen. Then as a breeder, it definitely has to be breeding Argento.
How did you get into the breeding side of the sport?
When John [Whitaker] was riding Welham, we were once down at Nick Skelton’s yard and he suggested that I should get a broodmare and start producing more young horses. I thought this was a great idea, but I did not really act upon the idea until about two-months later when John asked me to go and collect something for his cattle from a local farmer, and I ended up coming back with a two-year-old mare, named Flora May. We bred from her aged three, before we broke her in and it all really started from there. After her first foal we jumped her for a little while before she had her second foal – which ended up being Argento.
Did anyone mentor you on how to breed successfully?
I never really had a mentor – I go mainly off instinct and gut feeling. But now, I spend more time looking at the pedigree of the horses than I used to when I first started.
What are you goals for the rest of the year?
I’m going to CHI Geneva for the U25 class and then Mechelen in Belgium at the end of year and I am really looking forward to these shows!
What are your plans, dreams and ambitions for 2022?
I have some really lovely horses, but most of them are younger and so they do not have much experience. I was trying to build them up this year, so next year I would like start jumping bigger classes on them. My main aim is to go to the European Championships for Young Riders. This is the last year that I will be eligible to compete, and I would love to go with a strong team and have a chance to win a medal.
Do you get competitive with your brothers?
Yes! We are very competitive with each other. My dad is actually the most competitive, though! He stopped riding for a while, but now is back competing in the same shows as us. He will tease us when he beats us or goes faster than us. We always want to beat each other, and this motivates us to be better. But we are also always there for each other and we really care for each other – we are really one big team. I learn so much from my brothers and my father through their experience, but of course if we are in the same class we want to beat each other.
The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has launched a new initiative titled #MyMajorDream.
The campaign is targeted at anyone who has dreamt of lifting the trophy in front of the electrifying crowds at CHI Geneva or The Dutch Masters, achieving live contender status after a flawless round in the world-renowned Rolex Grand Prix held at CHIO Aachen or navigating one of the toughest outdoor arenas to win a Major at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’.
The #MyMajorDream campaign invites riders, grooms, owners, breeders, and fans to participate and share on social media which Rolex Grand Slam Major they most want to win and why.
Participants must make sure they follow Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping on social media, tag the account on their post or story and use the hashtag #MyMajorDream by Wednesday 1 December.
The winners will receive a signed Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping cap signed by some of our previous winners such as Steve Guerdat, Scott Brash, Daniel Deusser, Martin Fuchs and more!
About the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping
The Rolex Grand Slam is considered by the sport to be the ultimate equestrian challenge, primarily due to the sporting prowess required to achieve this feat. It is a quest taken on by the world’s top riders, vying to secure the legendary status associated with winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.
The format of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is simple: anyone who wins three Majors in a row receives the Rolex Grand Slam trophy and a €1 million bonus on top of the class’s prize-money. If that same rider then continues their success by winning a fourth Major in succession, they will be rewarded with an additional €1million bonus. If two shows are won in succession, the bonus is €500,000 or if an athlete wins only 2 majors in a period of four successive shows, the bonus is €250,000.