“Football doesn’t need to come home because showjumping definitely has!” Great Britain win Agria Nations Cup at Hickstead
Great Britain returned to the top of the podium at Hickstead after winning the Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain for the third time in four years.
The host nation led from the Hickstead opening round before holding off a determined Irish team to lift the Edward, Prince of Wales Trophy at the Agria Royal International Horse Show on
Twelve months after finishing runners-up to Germany, Great Britain reclaimed the title with a team comprising Jessica Mendoza, Tim Gredley, Adrian Whiteway and Ben Maher, under chef d’équipe Di Lampard.
“Congratulations to Di and her team,” said Hickstead Director Edward Bunn. “Football doesn’t need to come home because showjumping definitely has!
“Football doesn’t need to come home because showjumping definitely has!”
Edward Bunn, Hickstead Director
“We went a long time without winning the Nations Cup, but now it’s becoming a regular occurrence. I’d really like to thank Agria for their continued support of the show and the Nations Cup.”
Great Britain lead from the front
Pathfinder Jessica Mendoza and Summerhouse produced the first British clear, with Tim Gredley and Medoc De Toxandria following suit.
Ben Maher and his new ride Catelly collected four faults at the Open Water, while Adrian Whiteway and Chacco Volo provided the discarded score after a refusal at the water and an additional 16 time faults.
The results left Great Britain leading on four faults at the halfway stage, although the competition remained close. Brazil sat second on eight faults, with the UAE and Ireland sharing third on 12.
Canada followed on 16 faults, ahead of Germany on 17. Belgium and France did not progress to the second round after finishing on 21 and 24 faults respectively.
Tim Gredley delivers Hickstead double clear
Jessica and Summerhouse added four faults in the second round, while Adrian and Chacco Volo finished with eight.
Tim Gredley, who was part of Britain’s winning Nations Cup teams in both 2023 and 2024, then produced a superb double clear aboard Medoc De Toxandria.
His performance increased the pressure on Ireland, who had moved into second place on a team total of 16 faults.
Irish anchor combination Conor Swail and Clonterm Obolensky responded with the only other double clear of the competition. It meant Britain’s final rider, Ben Maher, had just one fence in hand if the home team was to avoid a jump-off.
Maher, a three-time Olympic gold medallist, kept his composure and guided Catelly to a decisive clear round, securing victory for Great Britain.
“Typically, I’m the first rider on the team, and I was switched around today to ride last,” said Ben. “So I was in a different position and had that pressure, but it was great to be able to finish it for this amazing team.
“Catelly jumped incredibly and showed what he can do today, and I’m very fortunate to have the team of horses that I have.”
Tim Gredley has now represented Great Britain in the Hickstead Nations Cup on three occasions and has been part of the winning team every time.
“Hickstead for me is the Holy Grail, I love jumping here,” he said. “To come here and jump a double clear and win on the team is brilliant, and what it’s all about.”
Ireland finished second, while Canada, Brazil and the UAE all completed the competition on 24 faults. Their respective times decided third, fourth and fifth places. Defending champions Germany finished sixth.
Second win of the week for Matt Sampson
Earlier in the day, Matt Sampson claimed his second victory of the week with 13-year-old mare One Whisper.
After winning on the opening day by almost three seconds, the pair produced another dominant performance to head the ClipMyHorse.TV International Stakes by 5.62 seconds.
“She is so fast, it’s just the rhythm she likes to jump in,” said Matt. “I was early to go and I knew there were some fast guys behind me, so I just thought, ‘Keep in a rhythm and let her do her thing.’”
The morning’s Breen Equestrian CSIYH1* second qualifier was won by Pippa Goddard and eight-year-old grey mare PDV Constanza. The UAE’s Salim Ahmed Al Suwaidi and SS Ourania finished less than half a second behind.
Feature Image credit: Pauline Ullman