Meet Harry Charles’ London grand prix hero Sherlock

British showjumper Harry Charles describes the previous couple of weeks as a “whirlwind”. Sealing a momentous summer time, the 25-year-old rider broke into the world’s prime 10 ranked riders for the primary time, earlier than successful workforce gold on the Paris 2024 Olympics with Romeo 88 – regardless of breaking his arm within the build-up. He then returned dwelling and landed the distinguished Longines International Champions Tour (LGCT) of London grand prix on Sunday (18 August) with an distinctive efficiency from the much less skilled Sherlock.

No marvel Harry was final seen celebrating with a big glug of his winner’s champagne out of the grand prix silverware on the London podium.

He devoted Sunday’s five-star win to yard favorite Sherlock, who has an uncommon persona in that he’s each “very laid-back” and very delicate, saying it was “his likelihood to shine”.

Harry Charles and Sherlock: the journey to the highest

The 11-year-old Sherlock was bred by Gustaaf Quintelier of De Donkhoeve, the identical breeder as Jessica Springsteen’s Don Juan, who gained final yr’s LGCT London grand prix. The 2 horses share a grand-dam, Utopia Van De Donkhoeve. Sherlock is by Ludo Phillipaerts’ outdated stallion Bisquet Balou, who presently has three offspring leaping on the prime of the game, together with Laura Kraut’s Bisquetta.

He got here to Harry’s Hampshire base of Heathcroft Farm as a five-year-old and is now owned by Stall Zet and Harry’s father Peter Charles.

“We’ve performed every part collectively, from his first present all the way in which to his first grand prix, and he’s the horse I’ve had the longest,” says Harry. “I’ve at all times stated, and other people didn’t actually imagine it on the time, that proper from a younger horse he was among the best athletes.

“I bear in mind driving again from Windsor when he arrived within the secure in the course of a present to go and see him. I’ve a video of the primary time I ever sat on him, I’ve by no means actually filmed a horse like that earlier than, I simply had a humorous feeling about him and ever since his first bounce at dwelling I’ve liked him.”

Harry Charles acknowledges the good Sherlock after leaping clear within the LGCT grand prix of London.

“We struggled – now I can trip him with two fingers on the flat”

Sherlock wasn’t the quickest in his early days and Harry has been engaged on his flatwork behind the scenes.

“I’ve struggled rather a lot with the time allowed with Sherlock,” Harry explains. “He would land after which take three or 4 strides to gather once more and switch. So I’ve been actually engaged on that over the previous two years. Now he can pirouette, he can flip and he can go quick after which decelerate on the snap of the fingers. He’s actually, actually adjustable. I can trip him with two fingers on the flat.”

Sherlock actually began to catch the attention in the beginning of final yr, when the rising 10-year-old gained a rating class on dwelling soil and Harry predicted to H&H that Sherlock’s “time will come and it is going to be on an even bigger stage”. Effectively, they don’t get a lot higher than your first LGCT grand prix on dwelling soil.

“He’s had two grand prix wins now in eight months and he’s solely actually in the beginning of his profession,” says Harry, mentioning his La Coruna World Cup victory in December.

“So it’s tremendous thrilling and I’m so comfortable for him to get this large win.”

Harry Charles: “Sherlock ran ahead and I fell off backwards!”

Nevertheless, there was drama the day earlier than Sunday’s function class in London when Harry fell off the delicate Sherlock.

“He’s very laid again however then he can simply spin like there’s a swap on him,” explains Harry. “After he jumped clear [in the grand prix qualifier], I got here out and went to take my jacket off and he ran ahead and I fell off backwards. I had no reins so it was fairly embarrassing!

“You’ll see that once I take my hat off or when a rug touches him on the aspect, he’s actually, actually delicate however he’s additionally probably the most chilled out horse, he doesn’t stress, he doesn’t get nervous. He’s actually humorous.”

Supergroom Georgia Ellwood with the “laid-back” however extraordinarily delicate Sherlock.

Anybody watching Sunday’s grand prix could have seen Sherlock turning to offer his devoted supergroom Georgia Ellwood a kiss as he went into the world for his first spherical.

“He’s very affectionate and everybody loves him, he’s like a teddy bear,” says his rider. “He’s desperate to study and so keen to please, he makes our life really easy. He hacks round at dwelling and has a really chilled life-style.”

Harry’s horses are actually having fun with some high quality outing within the area whereas Harry takes a while out to mirror and let these unbelievable few weeks “sink in”.

“I’m so fortunate to have nice assist and extra importantly, unbelievable horses,” says Harry. “You realize, it doesn’t at all times go like this, so we’re actually going to get pleasure from it for a bit.”

H&H showjumping editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her position as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her all over the world reporting from exhibits and interviewing riders, connections and people concerned behind the scenes. Since becoming a member of H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on each topic throughout the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to secure administration — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She additionally has first-hand expertise of working within the equestrian trade as a driving teacher and yard supervisor.