Graham Fletcher: ‘May racing assist to revitalise showjumping?’

Graham Fletcher on taking showjumping to the races and proud parenting

You already know you’re getting older once you begin saying issues like, “This yr’s simply flown by…” However with Horse of the Yr Present (HOYS) beginning the week after subsequent, it actually appears that method.

With two formidable sons, Will and Olli, eager to go to as many exhibits as they’ll, we reside life to the complete, which actually retains this “old-timer” from becoming bored.

And it actually has been some yr, particularly with Olli successful the younger rider Europeans at Peelbergen within the Netherlands. Olli stored his nerve all through and, using Girl Pauline Harris and Girl Pauline Kirkham’s Whats up William, was the one rider to leap 5 rounds with out having a fence down.

It actually was among the finest highlights of my lengthy profession. As unashamedly proud mother and father, Tina and I loved each second.

The championship programs had been properly constructed, overseen by the technical delegate and Olympic course-designer Gregory Bodo who’s an absolute genius at his job.

We noticed him in motion once more when Olli was on the British group for the latest European Equestrian Federation (EEF) Nations Cup remaining in Warsaw, Poland. The monitor right here wasn’t dramatically large nevertheless it regarded robust – and so it proved with just one double clear throughout the 11 nations participating.

Olli had a transparent and 4 faults with Whats up William, a horse with excellent type in Nations Cups this yr with six clear rounds out of eight jumped.

It’s been a really profitable yr for Olli’s different horses too, which has helped him achieve invaluable expertise and be taught his commerce. I’ve by no means seen a high rider with out innate expertise and skill; however to succeed in the top of the game, you want high horses. And which means discovering house owners who’re prepared to spend some huge cash on you.

Some folks suppose this can be a trendy phenomenon, nevertheless it’s at all times been that method. David Broome didn’t win six King George V Gold Cups with out high horses and the backing of Sir Phil Harris. And no one has gained grands prix on as many alternative horses as Nick Skelton, who was masterful at discovering house owners to spend money on him.

Alternatively, my son Will offered his finest horse Valento final yr. So this season he’s been working exhausting to provide a very good string of up-and-coming horses, 4 of that are in a number of novice championships at HOYS.

“It’s like no different”

I went with Will to the latest Gijon present in Spain the place he jumped his pretty mare Iwalinde within the 1.55m and 1.60m grands prix and was properly positioned in each.

Gijon is a present like no different. Spectators can wager earlier than each 10 horses competing, in order that they cease every class for quarter-hour for folks to get their cash on. Does that make a distinction? You’ll be able to wager your life it does!

A morning class with no betting attracts very small crowds. However within the afternoon and night, it’s unbelievable how many individuals are watching. There are totaliser cubicles on either side of the stadium, all busy with lengthy queues of punters eager to get bets on.

On the weekend, not solely had been the stands full however each house across the advanced was packed. The environment and noise made it like being at a soccer match. And naturally, an enormous crowd like this ensures good prize cash.

May it work in Britain? Possibly it might if an enterprising racecourse received concerned they usually jumped 10 in a category between races. The ring needn’t be massive and with the racecourse groundsmen’s experience, the situations can be proper. Add to that some respectable prize cash and invites to some good worldwide riders and it might work. The racecourse would get extra spectators and, if ClipMyHorse.TV lined it and there was a cellphone app to have a wager, it could open it as much as a worldwide viewers.

Now we have an amazing, extremely watchable sport. However because the demise of the city and metropolis exhibits, we don’t showcase showjumping sufficient to most of the people. Achieved properly, this may very well be a begin.

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