The UK leg of the Meydan FEI Nations Cup at Hickstead saw some incredible performances from the British riders giving Great Britain their first win within the 2010 series. A win they stormed away with as other nations fell by the wayside knocking polls and accruing penalties whilst our own jumped cleanly and accurately.

With crowds flocking to watch the top class showjumping on offer, the Union Flags were flying high in the grandstands supporting their home team each time they entered the arena. Even more so knowing the task our riders had ahead of them having watched the five other nations that went before us all incurring faults. A pattern that continued throughout the first round for the other nations with many of them accruing penalties well into the double figures.

Pathfinder for the team was Peter Charles from Alton, Hampshire with the ever consistent Murka’s Pom d’Ami who is jointly owned by Olga White and Team Murka Ltd. This partnership have been the mainstay of the British Team throughout the 2010 series and their performance was absolutely foot-perfect resulting in many of the crowds jumping to their feet in show of their support. Finishing just slightly over the time allowed, the combination incurred 1 time fault – a result that was also mirrored in their second round.

Next to make their mark on home soil was William Funnell and that’s exactly what he did. William based in Dorking, Surrey partnered the Billy Studs British Bred 9 year old brown stallion Billy Congo. This partnership duplicated Peter’s performance by also not touching a single pole and incurring a time fault in each round

Third to go for Great Britain was Oxfordshire based Tina Fletcher riding the 11 year old chestnut gelding Hello Sailor who is owned by Lady Pauline Harris also went on to jump another double clear, but unfortunately as per her two team mates before her incurred time faults in both rounds giving her a finish score of 3 faults. What made this performance all the more extraordinary is that Tina had suffered a crashing fall only a few hours before from a horse she had been competing earlier in the day. .

Last to jump for the British team was Nottinghamshire based Michael Whitaker riding the 10 year old dark bay gelding GIG Amai II who is owned by Beatrice Mertens. Michael and GIG Amai II lowered two poles during the first round but with the team having finished with such a vast lead between themselves and those behind them Michael was able to sit back and relax safe in the knowledge that the team had worked hard enough to secure a British win without the himself as fourth team member even having to jump.

Finishing with three fences in hand, plus a few time penalties the British were absolutely elated as were the crowds in the grandstand who’s appreciation was all too evident in the way that they cheered and celebrated before Tina had even managed to exit the arena.

Rob Hoekstra, World Class Showjumping Performance Manager commented “We came to Hickstead hoping for a win and I’m absolutely delighted that the team have delivered it for us. Our goal for 2010 has always been to finish the series at Dublin within the six highest ranked nations so as to avoid relegation. We now, go to Dublin in second position on the league table and I’m thrilled. It really would be hard for me to ask any more of our riders and I’m over the moon with their performance and the way that they all pull together as a team”.

Watching from the sidelines was John Whitaker who after the competition on his way to congratulate the team and Rob Hoekstra stopped by to say “This was a brilliant competition today and I feel very proud to be British”. A thought that was near to many of the spectators hearts as they stood in silence during the playing of the National Anthem before the riders stood down from the podium giving a lap of honour around the incredible arena that is – the magic of Hickstead!

The British Showjumping Teams are strongly supported by the UK Sport Lottery funded BEF World Class Programme.

Results
1. Great Britain (7 penalties)

2. Germany (22 penalties)

3. USA (29 penalties)

4. France (34 penalties)

5. Netherlands (35 penalties)

6. Ireland (36 penalties)

7. Sweden (40 penalties)

7. Spain (40 penalties

League Table Standing

1 48.5 France

2 38.5 Great Britain