It takes a different horse to evolve to a brand new rider and carry out on the very best degree for multiple pilot, and JL Dublin has proved he’s this kind of horse.
The darkish brown gelding through Diarado began his profession with Nicola Wilson, who selected the Holsteiner on the gross sales in Germany for his homeowners, Jo and James Lambert and Deirdre Johnston.
“We went over and attempted him and I assumed he was once very properly put in combination and he has an exquisite eye,” stated Nicola in an interview in 2021. “He has an exquisite methodology over a fence and seemed a amusing horse.
“Since operating with him as a tender horse, I sensed that he was once a celeb within the making. However he was once rather bullish, boisterous and really cheeky till he were given to this degree of coaching, when he’s in point of fact began to knuckle down and center of attention and use that power in a favorable method slightly than in opposition to me.”
“Dubs” was once a hit coming throughout the grades, together with completing 5th within the younger horse International Championships at Le Lion as a seven-year-old. However he in point of fact sprang to prominence when he received the CCI4*-L at Bicton Horse Trials – the Bramham Horse Trials substitute fixture – in 2021.
Nicola Wilson and JL Dublin win the CCI4*-L at Bicton in 2021. Image through Peter Nixon
Within the autumn that 12 months, the then-10-year-old JL Dublin and Nicola have been decided on for the British group for the eventing Ecu Championships in Avenches, Switzerland.
There, they carried out fantastically to complete on their third-placed dressage rating of 20.9 and declare the person gold, main Britain to group gold too.
Nicola Wilson and JL Dublin on the 2021 Ecu Championships. Image through Peter Nixon
“He overlooked part a 12 months after I had my neck damage in 2019 after which there’s been Covid, so he’s somewhat green, however despite the fact that he’s now not been at the festival box, he’s nonetheless skilled. The quiet time all the way through Covid was once a favorable for him, letting him change into more potent and extra established in his thoughts,” stated Nicola after their dressage check in Avenches.
After profitable, she added: “I couldn’t be prouder of him. I believe very fortunate to have him for such dependable homeowners and so that you could construct that partnership and agree with between us.”
The pair looked as if it would have a shiny long term, however crisis struck at Badminton Horse Trials the next 12 months, when they fell in opposition to the top of the route. Nicola sustained critical accidents which ended her eventing profession.
The journey on JL Dublin went to British Olympic double medallist Tom McEwen, who quietly set about setting up a partnership with him. The pair completed the 12 months with 2d within the crack CCI4*-L at Boekelo within the Netherlands.
The next 12 months was once a rollercoaster one for Tom and Dubs. They began out with a super 2d position within the CCI5* at Kentucky 3-Day Match.
Tom McEwen and JL Dublin at Kentucky 2023. Image through Amy Dragoo
“I’m driving at the wave of Nicola’s coaching and the whole lot she’s carried out earlier than,” Tom stated initially of Kentucky week. “Dubs is the entire package deal and so that you could be handed at the reins after the fantastic process Nicola has carried out is unbelievable.”
After cross-country, he added: “He’s an exquisite horse. Making an allowance for that is most effective my 6th run on him – and 4 of the ones have been great open intermediates – it’s massive credit score to Nicola and the whole lot she’s carried out that I will hop on and get spherical a real five-star route that has quite a few demanding situations.”
The pair’s subsequent giant run was once within the giant CCI4*-S at Aachen in July. They set out throughout nation within the lead, ultimate to move on this reverse-order showdown, however a run-out put paid to a most sensible putting.
“We had simply two seconds of mistake which price us an excellent deal lately,” stated Tom. “He was once up at the time, he was once flying and sumptuous, and we’ve learnt so much which is why we got here right here. Now it’s directly to the following.”
And subsequent was once the Ecu Championships in Haras du Pin, France. However that didn’t rather determine both, when the pair have been 1/3 after dressage, however JL Dublin unseated Tom on the shoulder brush out of a water complicated.
Tom McEwen and JL Dublin on the 2023 Ecu Championships. Image through Peter Nixon
They headed again to France for the CCI5*-L in Pau Horse Trials to spherical off their 12 months and made amends for Haras du Pin with 1/3 position there.
“We got here to do what we had to do, and he’s been incredible. We’re having a look ahead to subsequent 12 months with him,” stated Tom.
Paris 2024 will without a doubt be on Tom’s thoughts as he prepares for this season – an Olympic medal could be an emotional outcome for all concerned with JL Dublin.
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Credit score: Peter Nixon
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Credit score: Package Houghton
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