The cream of world showjumping have their sights set on the prestigious Longine King George V Gold Cup today (August 2) as the Royal International Horse Show draws to a dramatic close.
But who will lift the coveted trophy? Derby champion Trevor Breen and last year’s winner Beezie Madden are both tipped as favourites for one of the most historic classes in the showjumping calendar.
The last piece of the puzzle
Irishman Trevor has been saving Hickstead legend and ‘one-eyed wonder horse’ Adventure De Kannan for the biggest class of the week, and has his heart set on claiming the top spot.
15-year-old gelding ‘Addy’ has picked up every prize going at the showground, winning the Bunn Leisure Speed Derby in 2009 as well as the Equestrian.com Derby and the Templant Events Queen Elizabeth II Cup last year.
The King George is the final hurdle for the remarkable partnership.
“It would mean the world to me to win,” Trevor told H&C. “It would be the final piece in a very difficult puzzle. I think the King George is obviously the hardest part of it, but he jumped it two years ago and came twelfth.
“He rises to the big occasions and I have been saving all his petrol for today.
“I think it will be Addy’s last shot at this class so I want to give it my all. Hopefully he will be feeling fresh and will do the business.”
A class for real Hickstead riders
As well as the iconic double of gates, the King George course traditionally contains a number of Derby elements including the water jump facing away from home and the spooky double of ditches.
Riders say this gives combinations which competed in last month’s Derby the competitive edge.
Rising star Harriet Nuttall will tackle the King George for the first time today with A Touch Imperious, but having come joint second in the Derby she could be the dark horse of the competition.
“They always jump the water the difficult way facing away from home – they haven’t had people jumping that way all week,” explained the 25-year-old. “So if you have a problem at the water that could completely catch you out.
“The double of ditches are also usually in it, and again they haven’t brought them in all week. That’s why the Derby horses have the upper hand because they jumped all those fences a month ago.”
But the rider remains modest about her chances for a first-time win.
“It’s only my first time so to be in the class is great, but to win it would be a dream,” she added. “I would like to get my name on the trophy at some point, but maybe give me a few years.”
Can Beezie do the double?
Last year American stalwart Beezie Madden became the first woman to lift the King George trophy in the classes 108 year history, after entries were opened to ladies in 2008.
And this year the New York-based rider is back to do it again for the girls.
Out of 42 starters of world-class talent, riders know Beezie poses a serious threat with unique gelding Cortes ‘C’ – a horse famous for crossing his front legs over a fence.
“It’s hard to look past the likes of Beezie Madden – she won it last year,” conceded Trevor. “The only thing is she had to jump three rounds in the Nations Cup on Friday so that might have taken a little bit out of her horse.”
But Beezie says 17hh ‘Tiny’ is on top form.
“It will be hard to repeat last year but he feels great this week so I hope I have good chance,” added the American.
Other combinations to look out for include British young rider Holly Gillott, whose gelding Dougie Douglas struggled in the Nations Cup this week but was in great form at the Derby show last month.
Bookies favourite Ben Maher rode two beautiful double clears for Great Britain on Friday with Diva II – can he put in repeat performance today?
German master Mascus Ehning should never be overlooked, whose veteran stallion Plot Bleu always performs well in the iconic Hickstead arena.
Keep an eye on the H&C Twitter feed and Hickstead page for full coverage of the Longine King George V Gold Cup, which kicks off at 2.45pm.