British Showjumping celebrated its 90th birthday on New Year’s Eve – and what nine decades years it has been with numerous medals and superstars created.
Prestigious shows
The association was officially incorporated on 31 December 1925, and since then Britain has established itself as one of the top showjumping countries in the world.
We are the current Olympic and European champions, while Scott Brash has been world number one for the past two years.
The UK also hosts some of the most prestigious shows, including the London International at Olympia, the Royal International at Hickstead and now the Bolesworth Classic and Liverpool International.
Household names
Back in the 1970s, showjumpers were household names, with the likes of Harvey Smith, David Broome, Nick Skelton and the Whitaker brothers taking centre stage. Incredibly Nick, John and Michael are still going strong, and they have been joined by the likes of Scott, Ben Maher and Laura Renwick, to name a few.
Since winning gold at London showjumping is making its way back into people’s homes.
Other greats in the sport include the 14.2hh pony Stroller who won Olympic silver, Hickstead founder Douglas Bunn, chef d’equipe Ronnie Masserella and the famous Hickstead Derby.
Going for gold
With Rio Olympics taking place this summer, can British showjumpers retain their gold medal? All hopes will be pinned on Scott and Hello Sanctos to bring home the goods.
It was also hoped Nick Skelton and Big Star – who played a key role in the gold medal at 2012 – will be competing. But will he be fully recovered from this injury by then?
Come on Britain – don’t make us wait another 60 years for a gold!
Sporting highlights
1923: The British Show Jumping Association is founded.
1925: British Show Jumping Association formally incorporated as a company, with Lord Lonsdale at president and Lt Colonel Charles (Taffy) Walwyn appointed chairman.
1949: The first Horse of the Year Show is staged at Harringay Arena in North London.
1952: Harry Llewellyn (Foxhunter), Duggie Stewart (Aherlow) and Wilf White (Nizefela) win Britain’s only gold at the Helsinki Olympics.
The same year the Queen grants her Patronage to the Association.
1956: Pat Smythe becomes the first British female showjumper to compete at an Olympics. She helps Britain win team bronze alongside Wilf White and Peter Robeson in Stockholm.
1960: David Broome wins Great Britain’s first Olympic showjumping individual medal by taking bronze with Sunsalve in Rome. He then became BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
1961: The first Hickstead Derby takes place at the All England Jumping Course in West Sussex, a venue founded by the late Douglas Bunn.
1968: Marion Coakes and the incredible 14.2hh pony Stroller win individual silver medal at the Mexico Olympics.
1970: David Broome becomes Britain’s first showjumping world champion, winning gold at La Baule in France with Beethoven.
1978: Nick Skelton breaks the British high jump record, setting new figures of 7ft 7in at Olympia with the appropriately named Lastic.
1994: John Whitaker’s top horse Milton retires having become the first showjumper to win £1m in prize money.
1998: Di Lampard, Britain’s current showjumping performance manager, wins Hickstead’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup for a second time with Abbervail Dream.
2012: Thanks to Nick Skelton, Ben Maher, Scott Brash and Peter Charles Britain wins showjumping gold at the London Olympics. We only had to wait 60 years for it.
2015: World number one Scott Brash makes showjumping history by winning Rolex Grand Slam, landing a 1million bonus