British Olympic Showjumping Team For Tokyo 2020

Scott Brash

Scott Brash MBE was born and raised in Peebles, Scotland and is now based in Horsham, West Sussex.

Scott has been rising the ranks since 2010 reaching one of his first, big career milestones, The World Equestrian Games. He also competed at the CSIO5* Nations Cup, with wins at Dublin and Aachen, the very next year.

In 2012, Scott won his first ever Grand Prix on infamous ride, Hello Sanctos. Later that year, they earned their place on Team GB for the London Olympics, winning Team Gold and placing 5^th individually.

Scott since rode in European Championships and Longines Global Champions Tour Series Championship.

In 2015, Scott then completed a history making piece of sport. The showjumper achieved consecutive victories in the Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva (December, 2014), the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen (May, 2015), and the CP International Grand Prix (September, 2015), which had never been done before.

Scott held the position of Longines FEI World Ranked Number One show jumping rider nearly consecutively since November 2013 and remains in the top 10 ranked riders in the world today.

Hello Jefferson

Hello Jefferson is a 12-year-old, 16.1hh, bay, gelding. This horse is owned Lady Kirkham, the owner of Scott’s formidable ride, Hello Sanctos, along with Lady Harris.

This year, Hello Jefferson has taken multiple number one spots. Most recently, the bay gelding placed first at the CSI5* Grand Prix in Valkenswaard, the Netherlands.

Hello Jefferson and Scott Brash, as a combination stand in 117 place in the FEI World Rankings.

Scott describes his ride as one of “the most talented, if not one of the most complex geldings” he has at his stables.

When discussing the horse’s performance recently Scott also alluded to Hello Jefferson being “very fast on the ground and when jumping a series of fences”. Scott puts a lot of faith in the horse, due to him being “so careful” and having a good ability to judge his own distances well.

Ben Maher

Ben Maher is one of the world leading showjumpers. Born in Enfeild, he is now based in Bishop Stortford, Hertfordshire.

Ben began riding from an early age and, once leaving school, took up riding full time.

The seasoned showjumper has represented Britain on numerous occasion at the Olympics, Europeans, and World Cups. Ranking consistently at the top of the FEI World SHowjumping rankings, Ben is at the top of his game.

In 2008, he debuted at the Olympics in Beijing. Despite comping home with a medal, he quickly made up for it at the London 2012 Games where he grabbed team gold for the first time in 60 years.

He has also won bronze at the 2011 Europeans Championships in Madrid, Spain. and many international Grand Prixs. These include titles such as the Olympia Grand Prix, Hickstead King George V Gold Cup at Hickstead, FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix at Wellington, all under various rides.

Explosion W

Explosion W is a 12-year-old, 16.1hh, chestnut, gelding.

Since 2018, Explosion W has been one of the most consistent horse on the 5* circuit. Ben and Explosion W started their journey, placing second in the LGCT Grand Prix of Shanghai in 2018, then going on to win the LGCT Grand Prix in Madrid. Fourth place followed on the Paris leg of the tour, fifth in Chantilly, forth in London, they ended the season with two wins in Rome and Doha.

2019 replicated the previous season’s success not placing outside of the medals in all legs of the LGCT Grand Prix. Meanhhwule, the returned from European Championships with an individual silver and team bronze medal.

More recently, less than a month before flying out to Tokyo, he placed first with Ben at the CSI5* Grand Prix Table A at Windsor.

Holly Smith

Holly Smith is the only female on the Team GB Showjumping squad. She is from and stilled based in Leicestershire.

Holly pursued her dream to ride full time during a gap year from education. Her she began procuding top quality horses and compeiting.

It wasn’t until Holly ansd her husband, Graham, found ride Dougie ODOuglas at a sales, that her shwojumping career really took off.

She hit the world stage at the age of 25, with Dougie Douglas repspresenting Team GB in their first senior Nations Cup together. Since, Holly has made huge leaps in just 10-years at elite level.

She thanks Hearts Destiny, her ride who passed away in August 2020, for her success today. This was the ride she took to the European Showjumping Championships to help Team GB secure bronze.

However, she more recently rode her Tokyo Olympic ride to the top of the FEI leaderboard with multiple wins at international level.

Denver

Denver is a 13-year-old, 17.1hh, bay, gelding.

In 2020, Denver was ranked the number one show jumping horse in the world as he topped the Longines World Rankings.

Under Holly, the KWPN gelding has counted big wins such as; the CSIO5* 1.45m La Vanguardia Trophy in Barcelona; a win at the CSI4* in Liverpool; wins at the CSI3* 1.50m Grand Pirx, 1.45-1.50m Grand Prix, and 1.45m Grand Prix in Vilamoura, and a CSI3* 1.45m win at Vejer de la Frontera.

Described as a horse “full of character”, he is known to have a real sense of humour. However, he’s also extra-ordinally talent, a serious competitor who thrives under pressure, and a horse who comes alive in the ring.

Harry Charles

Harry Charles is Team GB’s showjumping reserve. With thrre-time Olympian and Olympic gold medalist, Peter Charles as his father, his has the Games running through his blood.

Based in Alton, Hampshire, Harry made his mark when takig double gold at the European Champiosnhips for Young Riders and making his 5* debut, at the age of just 19. In the same year, Harry went on to jump a double clear for Team GB in his first Nations Cup. He also played a crucial role in the Miami Celtics team on the Global Champions Tour.

More recently, in 2018 his won the CSI3* Grand Prix at Oliva Nova. In the motnh before flying out to Tokyo, Harry has been placing consistently in the top ten at 2* and 3* level.

Romeo 88

Romeo 88 is a 12-year-old , 17hh, bay, gelding.

Previous under top ranking rider irish rider, Darragh Kenny, and the Zangersheide gelding has experience under his belt.

Now under Harry, the combination have been competing at 3* level with ever-improving results. Most recently, the apri placed 6^th at the CSI3* 1.50m coemption in Knokke, Belgium

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British Olympic Showjumping Team For Tokyo 2020