Former global showjumper Graham Fletcher, who’s now a highly-respected teacher, in addition to a breeder and younger horse manufacturer, analyses Harvey Smith’s fresh evaluation of the game
No person ahead of or since has finished extra for the recognition of showjumping than Harvey Smith. Greater than any person, he made it a non-elitist game loved by means of hundreds of thousands. Harvey not too long ago spoke out (H&H mag, 29 December 2023) about how the game on this nation has long gone downhill.
I smartly take into account travelling and being on global groups with Harvey, and the length he’s speaking about. So, since I’m nonetheless concerned on the height stage via my lads Will and Olli, do I feel he’s proper and what’s the adaptation between then and now?
Needless to say, the Sixties, ’70s and ’80s had been the golden technology of showjumping. It’s most probably arduous for our more youthful riders to consider, but if Horse of the Yr Display (HOYS) was once at Wembley, it was once televised on BBC1 six evenings every week.
Mass-market protection introduced in large companies’ sponsorship – such a lot in order that now not best did Britain lead the sector in profitable prize cash, however main towns had been willing to host presentations. It wasn’t ordinary for riders to win a automobile. Those wealthy spoils made it tough for selectors to persuade our height riders to compete out of the country. They may win extra at house…
These days, our nationwide championship illustrates rather how a ways our nationwide circuit has fallen.
I used to be fortunate sufficient to win it a few instances when it was once a sought-after name, televised and contested by means of the most efficient. Now, no main names come ahead as it’s held at a non-prestigious venue at Stoneleigh and the prize cash is so deficient, particularly when put next with different Eu international locations. The prize fund for Belgium’s nationwide championship, as an example, is €75,000 (round £64,000).
In his H&H piece, Harvey singled out the Nice Yorkshire as “nonetheless a perfect pageant.” When I used to be invited to enroll in that display’s establishing committee, thankfully I discovered them willing to get the leaping again to its former glory. We trebled the Cock O’ The North prize cash and reworked the amassing ring into an all-weather enviornment from which all competition actually get advantages.
I’m certain different county presentations could be willing to practice if they’d the correct particular person to assist. If riders want to make a dwelling, best the Yorkshire and Royal Highland be offering that opportunity.
Hats off to centres web hosting two-star presentations
A contemporary certain is centres hanging on two-star global presentations. I take my hat off to them. Those presentations are dear to run with venues reliant on access charges, quite than gate cash like county presentations. Let’s hope those two-stars are as smartly supported this 12 months as ultimate.
Fresh internationals, from the magnificence of Paris and Geneva to the razzmatazz of Prague, display that our game has mushroomed, as has the global prize cash.
The BBC’s top-class protection from a sold-out London World did showjumping proud. With nice rider interviews and a improbable International Cup win by means of the good Ben Maher using higher than ever, it proved our game remains to be well-liked by British audiences.
A beneficiant mentor
Some other large growth in this day and age is how height riders toughen the more youthful ones. I take into account being a a success younger rider when the older execs had been extra hurtful than useful.
My son Olli has frolicked at Steve Guerdat’s in Switzerland. One in every of my all-time top-five riders, Steve stays a beneficiant mentor to him – and I feel that for a height rider to try this is actually one thing.
So, was once Harvey proper? Nationally, he no doubt was once, and having received gold medals on the previous 3 Olympics, we’ll by no means get a greater likelihood to position issues proper at house. The world over, with the likes of Aachen, Geneva and Calgary grands prix working for hundreds of thousands of kilos, I will’t assist however suppose that if Harvey was once using now, he’d suppose that’s now not unhealthy… In reality, now not unhealthy in any respect.
● Do you accept as true with Graham’s perspectives at the game? Tell us at [email protected], together with your title, nearest the city and nation, for the risk in your letter to seem in a drawing close factor of the mag
- This unique column can be to be had to learn in Horse & Hound mag, on sale Thursday 25 January
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