Press release from Hickstead, edited by World of Showjumping

Olympic gold medallist Harry Charles (GBR) and Bandit (Obos Quality 004 x Cruising Micky Finn) finished the fastest of 56 starters in Thursday’s world ranking class, the CSIO5* 1.50m Clipmyhorse.TV Tankard at the Agria Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead.

Charles took the win ahead of Lucy Davis Kennedy (USA) on Ben 431 (Sylvain x Quincy Jones) in second and Kendra Claricia Brinkop (GER) aboard Gatsby le Magnific (Action Breaker x Ogano Sitte) in third, while Humaid Abdulla Khalifa Al Muhairi (UAE) on Mentos (Cicero Z x Verdi TN) and Jack Whitaker (GBR) aboard D&H Valmy de La Lande (Mylord Carthago x Starter) followed in fourth and fifth respectively. 

The 11-year-old gelding is back to his best after a year on the sidelines, and was taking his third victory on the bounce. “He's a bit of a Swiss Army knife because he doesn't spook, he's extremely brave and he's super fast,” said Harry. 

Harry is juggling competing at Hickstead this week - where he has Casquo in the King’s Cup - with preparing new ride LT Holst Freda at home for the World Championships.

“It’s good to win not only on the opening day but at a home show as well,” he added. “I grew up coming here, I did my first ever shows here on lead rein over cross poles in the back ring. I watched my dad win the King George here, which is probably the first class I was old enough to remember him winning. I won my first ever Nations Cup here — so it's a great place of history, not just for the sport, but also for our family.”

In the CSIO5* 1.45m Royal International Vase, Matthew Sampson (GBR) beat speed derby champion Mark Edwards (GBR) and Dillinger NE (Diarado x Carismo) by nearly three seconds, marking an exciting return with the 13-year-old mare One Whisper (Daniel x Kannan). Sammie Jo Coffin (GBR) on Cornet of Follyfoot (Cornet Obolensky x Quidam de Revel) placed third, followed by Marcus Ehning (GER) with Baloubets Rose Dree Boeken (Baloubet du Rouet x Darco) in fourth and Luis Alejandro Plascencia O. (MEX) aboard Crazy Guapo PS (Casallco x Cento) in fifth. 

“I have literally had her a week, this is my first class back with her,” said Matt, who has got the mare back after selling her to US rider Izzy Coxe two years ago. “She’s exactly the same as she’s always been. She’s always been really careful and really fast and tries super hard.”