Noelle Floyd Magazine

Transcription

FALL 2015
Center Field
Frank
McCourt
with
Stars
of the
Season
Scott
Brash
A Grand Slam
Champion
Les Chefs
EHRENS, LAMPARD
& RIDLAND
©Noelle Floyd
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2noëllefloyd.com
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FEATURES
16
Show Jumping’s Newest Heavy Hitter
How American sports mogul Frank McCourt is applying
his lessons in baseball to cultivate the future of the Longines Global Champions Tour.
20
Stars of the Summer
Who shone brightest amid a blinding summer of medals and trophies? We picked three standout riders and their
moments that made it.
24
The Cooks in the Kitchen
A conversation with the show jumping chefs d’équipe of Holland, Great Britain and the United States.
COVER
62
In Scott We Trust
Slam, Scott Brash was still the man he’s always been. At his home in England, we learned how this talented rider from Scotland became the world’s very best.
Less than 48 hours after winning the Rolex Grand
J E E P M A G I C M I L L I O N S C A R N I VA L
in this issue
In EVENTS
In PHOTOS
36
Spruce Meadows
Masters CSI5*
12
Rolex Grand Slam:
Scott Brash and Hello Sanctos realize show jumping’s most impossible dream
32
Up Close
Horses in Profile
38
Longines Global Champions Tour
ROME
40
FEI European Championships 2015
AACHEN
42
VALKENSWAARD
44
F E A T U R I N G A U S T R A L I A ’ S R I C H E S T R A C E D AY
46
1 – 12 J A N U A RY 2 016 , G O L D C O A S T, Q U E E N S L A N D , A U S T R A L I A
More
magic
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Royal DUBLIN CSIO5*
Jumping International
DINARD CSI5*
48
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52
CHANTILLY
54
PARIS
MAINSTAYS
5
LETTER from the EDITOR
6
What’s On Fall 2015
8
An OPEN LETTER
Mark Bellissimo
14
Q & A with
Gregory Wathelet
56
STABLING with
Haras de la Forge
@MMSNIPPE TS
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FALL 2015 | issue 02
72
Where Modern Notions Meet French Tradition
LAST WORDS
Michael Whitaker
311005_NAU
noëllefloyd.com3
Letter from the Editor
NOELLE FLOYD
Executive Editor
Noelle Floyd
I
t’s safe to say that there is a distinct emphasis on Scott Brash in our fall issue.
When I started this magazine, it was important that the main focus of the publication be to accurately tap into the tempo of the sport at the time of printing. And at
this moment in time, after a “grand slam” of a summer, it should come as no surprise
to anyone that recently crowned Rolex Grand Slam winner Scott Brash looms largest
on the global stage of show jumping.
Features Editor
Erin Gilmore
When our team met with Scott to shoot this issue’s cover, it was on a date that was
Design Director
day following his massive victory at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Canada. Less than
predetermined for weeks, making it somewhat coincidental that it fell on the TuesCharlotte Falk
48 hours after the biggest moment in his career, Brash was nothing but humble,
grateful for his success, and aware of the well being of those around him. It was the
Publisher
mark not only of a true horseman, but that of an outstanding human being. I hope
RR Donnelly
you enjoy our in-depth exclusive on show jumping’s leading man as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Contributing Photographers
Erin Gilmore
In this issue, the tone of the sport following an action-packed season of champion-
Noelle Floyd
ships around the world also acknowledges some of the other horse-and-rider com-
Anthony Trollope
binations that made the summer what it was: Jeroen Dubbeldam and SFN Zenith
Henry Recinos
N.O.P; McLain Ward and Rothchild; Gregory Wathelet and Conrad de Hus; Bertram
Allen and Romanov.
Contributing Writers
Noelle Floyd | Erin Gilmore
In addition to the riders who stood out this summer, in this issue we hear from a pair
of the sport’s true architects: Mark Bellissimo and Frank McCourt. Working on devel-
Hair and Make-up | Stylist
oping and growing show jumping on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, these two
Michelle Kelly
men with uncanny similarities (both Americans with roots in Boston, Massachusetts,
Laurence Close
both are developers at heart) are making a resounding impact on our sport, each in
their own very different ways.
Additional Contributions
Carol Hayes Management London
As we enter into the fall months, some will be taking a step back from the hustle and
Lynn Lehmkuhl Advertising
bustle of the summer to reflect and make plans for the busy winter months. Some of
Ralph Lauren London
you will be enjoying warm temperatures in Wellington, Florida while others will be
Niklas Rüffer
bundled up and battling it out in the World Cup Qualifying events throughout Europe.
Cartoonist
But one thing is clear, the summer season of 2015 has done wonders for our sport
Grahame Arnold
and before we know it, it will be time for the FEI World Cup Final once again and we
will be bracing ourselves for yet another monumental summer season. So let’s take
this time to reflect and appreciate what was accomplished this season, not only by
the winning riders but also by everyone that makes the sport what it is.
Noelle Floyd
4noëllefloyd.com
noellefloyd.com5
October 1st – 4th
Longines
October 8th – 11th
October 5th – 8th
LOS ANGELES MASTERS CSI5*
JUMPING VERONA CSI5*-W
MOROCCAN ROYAL TOUR CSI3*-W
The Longines Los Angeles Masters returns
Jumping Verona is held in conjunction with
to California after its debut year in 2014,
when it made history by becoming the first-
October 20th – 25th
WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL
October 27th –
November 1st
HORSE SHOW CSI4*-W
NATIONAL HORSE SHOW CSI3*-W
The Moroccan Royal Tour brings show jump-
The annual Washington International Horse
The National Horse Show is another classic
the Fieracavalli all breed equestrian show
ing to the Northern African continent each
Show is an important fixture on the Ameri-
American indoor show with a storied history;
and exhibition, held in Verona since 1898.
fall. The growing series presents CSI3* show
can fall indoor circuit. As part of the new
while it was originally held in New York City,
ever CSI5*-rated show jumping competition
For 13 years, the Longines Jumping Verona
jumping for three consecutive weeks in Mo-
Longines North American World Cup Quali-
since 2011 the NHS has found a home at the
to be held on the West Coast of the United
has brought the element of top internation-
rocco in October, kicking off in Tetouan, and
fying League, the grand prix at “WIHS” is a
Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. In addition
States. The indoor competition brings a
al show jumping to horse enthusiasts. The
continuing to stops in Rabat and El Jadida.
heavyweight competition with a strong his-
to the annual World Cup Qualifier Grand
slice of Europe to California, with its glam-
show is an important leg of the Europe 1
Morocco’s top international rider Abdelke-
tory. Since 1958, the WIHS has been held
Prix, the NHS hosts the prestigious ASPCA
orous atmosphere held under one roof of
World Cup Qualifying league, and attracts
bir Ouaddar has proven to be a central fig-
in and around the nation’s capital, and with
Maclay Finals, the top junior equitation
the vast Los Angeles Convention Center in
Europe’s best riders each fall.
ure of the series during its six-year existence,
its current home in the Verizon Center, the
competition for young riders in the United
with more international riders joining the tour
competition brings horses right into the cen-
States.
each year.
ter of downtown Washington D.C.
Los Angeles, California USA
Verona, Italy
downtown LA.
Tetouan, Morocco
Washington D.C. USA
Lexington, KY USA
what’s on:
FALL
2015
S
how jumping heads indoors
around the world each fall, as
reflected at events old and new
November 12th – 15th
December 3rd – 6th
December 10th – 13th
December 15th – 21st
Longines
CHI GENEVA CSI5*
The LONDON OLYMPIA
Doha, Qatar
Paris, France
Geneva, Switzerland
London, England
DOHA CSI5*
PARIS MASTERS CSI5*
presented by Rolex
December 26th – 30th
International Horse Show CSI5*-W
JUMPING MECHELEN CSI5*-W
Mechelen, Belgium
from Los Angeles, USA to Geneva,
The 15th and final leg of the Longines Glob-
Early December in Paris calls for red car-
A favorite among riders as it is not only the
The competition known as London Olympia
This Christmas week indoor show has a large
Switzerland. While most eyes are on
al Champions Tour culminates in the Middle
pet glamour and the best of French culture
location of the International Jumping Riders
presents a Christmas-themed cornucopia of
following in Europe, where it brings five
headline events in the United States
East in November at the massive, state of the
alongside international show jumping at
Club Top Ten Final, but also one of three
equestrian events with show jumping tak-
star show jumping together with vault-
and Western Europe, the growing
art El Shaqab Equestrian Center. Epic prize
this, the first Masters CSI5* indoor competi-
“Masters” Grand Prixs, as a leg of the Rolex
ing center stage in the city of London each
ing, dressage, and other equestrian perfor-
Royal Moroccan Tour is gaining more
money is on the line to the rider who claims
tion presented by EEM show management
Grand Slam of Show Jumping. The Concours
winter. Dressage and extreme driving, the
mances at this venue outside of Brussels.
steam with each passing year, and the
the overall LGCT Series Championship, and
as part of the Masters Grand Slam. Held at
Hippique International Geneva at Palexpo,
Shetland Pony Grand National and Calvary
With Longines World Cup Qualifier points
existing competitions are becoming
in early fall that rider looked to be Great Brit-
Paris Nord Villepointe, the Paris Masters at-
Geneva truly attracts the world’s best to
performances join the show jumping pro-
at stake, international show jumping riders
ever more intense with dueling five star
ain’s Scott Brash, who claimed the 2013 and
tracts over 200,000 spectators over four
the shores of Lake Geneva each December.
gram, which includes a Longines World Cup
put aside their Christmas dinners and flock
series that demonstrate the global
2014 series titles and was leading the 2015
days of competition.
2015 presents the 55th edition of the show.
Qualifier Grand Prix, and an annual puissance
to Mechelen each year to compete.
strength of the sport.
rankings.
competition.
An Open Letter
Mark Bellissimo
D
espite having the world’s largest economy, U.S. horse sport has not reached its potential in terms of
competitor participation, sponsorship, and spectatorship. As a result of a number of factors, it is far behind
Europe in this regard.
In the U.S. there are a large number of sporting alternatives; equestrian ranks around the 20th most active
in terms of participation in the U.S, and participation in the sport is expensive relative to other sporting options. Urbanization of major U.S. cities have converted horse farms into subdivisions, making access to entry
level riding programs less accessible, participation in the sport is expensive relative to other sporting options,
and many show facilities are located in remote areas and run more like county fairs than sports venues, making for a very weak spectator base. Further, organizers have little incentive to promote spectatorship as
shows generate their primary income from the competitors. This limits the viability of TV and therefore
the number of media impressions so critical to generating sponsorship interest, which is the core driver for
true commercial sports. As a result, to succeed as an athlete in top equestrian sport in the U.S. you have to be independently wealthy,
have a strong owner or be extremely productive in horse acquisition and sales.
Sports such as tennis, golf, and car racing went through transitions from hobbies to professions in the U.S.
through aggressive efforts to commercialize the sport. I believe U.S. equestrian sport can go through the
transition too. In fact, it’s already happening.
The transition comes as a result of executing five steps; structuring the event to ensure a high level of spectator interest; aggressive promotion of the sport to the target market; increased media coverage; developing
strong sponsorship relationships, and finally developing a financial model so that both athletes and the organizers can make money.
Currently, very few athletes in the U.S. can generate their primary income through prize money winnings. The
critical economic driver for the success of U.S. sport is sponsorship. Without a strong sponsorship model
there’s no meaningful top sport in this country, and there’s no financial model for the riders. Also, there needs
to be more productive collaboration between the top riders and organizers in an effort to create “personalities” in the sport and a more engaging and marketable product that attracts media interest and corresponding sponsorship. What has further plagued the U.S. market has been the lack of high-level FEI competitions consistently
throughout the year (i.e. Large Money Circuit). If you wanted to be a top competitor you were forced to go
to Europe and/or Spruce Meadows, which are great and exciting options, but extremely expensive and only
accessible for a very limited group of riders. This shuts out a great number of potential horses and riders who
are forced to stay on a national track. In 2008, we were contrarians: as most U.S. organizers were abandoning
noëllefloyd.com9
FEI competitions, we dramatically increased FEI offerings, going from 19 FEI classes when we acquired the
Around the time of the Tryon announcement a number of new spring and fall FEI shows were announced in
Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida to close to 50 FEI classes in the past year. Total prize money
the U.S., with new and existing organizers reintroducing FEI events, all of which have strengthened the U.S.
for the WEF is now over $8 million dollars. The strategy worked, as the 12 week Winter Equestrian Festival
calendar. In the last year, the LA Masters show in the fall and a successful GCT event in Miami in April
has grown dramatically over this time frame.
have created two new 5* events in the U.S. schedule. The HITS horse shows have recently announced up to
four new five stars into the schedule. The combination of these events creates a much stronger U.S. market
Over 6,500 horses compete at WEF over the circuit, with 700 trainers and 2,800 riders coming from 50 states
for attracting a larger group of riders throughout the season. and 43 countries. It is now the largest equestrian circuit in the world. Spectatorship has grown to where we
average over 5,000 spectators and a peak of 8,000 during our largest Saturday evening event. There is no
Now that there is a stronger schedule and the opportunity for riders and owners to access a much greater
other setting in the U.S. that has created a consistent fan base over an equivalent time period. As a result,
prize money pool in the U.S., I believe there is a base line to start creating interesting opportunities to pro-
our sponsorship portfolio is now one of the largest in the world and includes close to 50 corporate sponsors.
mote the sport in the U.S. more aggressively to both spectators and sponsors. The draw to Wellington is multi-faceted across various rider populations, and it’s easy to see why. Riders have
The Rolex Central Park Horse Show, which started in 2014 and is located in the world’s largest media market,
the ability to stay in one place and develop and master techniques for horse and rider in a consistent manner.
New York City, is off to a great start. In its inaugural year it had 640 million media impressions and was largely
Many riders have commented that they get 9 months worth of experience in 3 months. The WEF is one of
sold out. The 2015 edition will introduce the inaugural equestrian U.S. Open. We are attracting new sponsors
the most competitive environments in the world with the ability to compete at a very high level across a wide
who were non-traditional for the sport (e.g. JetBlue, PwC etc.) as a result of this effort and unprecedented
range of horses and divisions and effectively train students. The lifestyle benefit of staying in one place for an
exposure. Over time, we believe this will evolve into one of the premiere, 5 star events on the U.S. circuit. It
extended period of time and avoiding a year round weekly travel schedule are invaluable to athletes who are
will surely be the highest profile. We are internally working on new event formats that we believe can broaden
otherwise constantly on the road. The WEF cultivates one of the most robust horse sale markets in the world
appeal for the sport and we hope to work with both the United States Equestrian Federation and the FEI to
where hundreds of millions of horse transactions occur each winter, many riders use the sales to subsidize
bring these to market. their participation, and for riders ranked over 30 in the world, the WEF enables them to compete in a top
circuit without pay cards and ascend the world rankings at a time when options in Europe and South America
Another investment that is critical for developing the U.S. market is creating and accessing sufficient spectator
are limited. We’ve seen many foreign riders cultivate relationships with U.S. owners through their presence at
impressions to elevate sponsorship interest. We made an investment in the Chronicle of the Horse in 2013 and
WEF, and finally, the area has the most consistent weather in the world for a winter destination.
now the Chronicle website is the 4th most active equestrian website in the world (according to alexa.com) and
the top non-racing site out of 6,195 equestrian websites worldwide. This translates into over 8 million unique
As of two years ago, after Wellington in March, there were little or no FEI competitions in the U.S. in the spring
visitors per year (via Google analytics). It is by far the largest audience of horse lovers in the world, which
or summer. The FEI competitions after the Hamptons in September, were a handful of fall indoor 2* and 3*
becomes a great source of content distribution and streaming as well as developing a pipeline of rider and
shows tied to World Cup qualifiers. Compare this to Europe, where there are multiple FEI shows per week
horse content that will start developing personalities outside of its core audience. This audience of millions of
within an accessible geography. Again, only U.S. riders with great resources could compete in Europe and
impressions does not exist anywhere else in the non-racing horse world. This has been a critical factor in the
Spruce Meadows, which suppressed the opportunities for riders with a limited budget.
explosive growth in our sponsorship. In order to support the spring, summer, and fall markets, in 2013, we announced the development of Tryon
In closing, with a strong U.S. event schedule, access to a large online audience, and the continued develop-
International Equestrian Center, a $100 million dollar venue intended to be the first large scale venue
ment of the sponsor pipeline, I believe that U.S. horse sport is finally poised to contribute to global horse
designed from the ground up and intended to be accessible to a far broader socio-economic customer base
sport. With a truly a global horse sport market and a developing U.S. audience, we can finally stimulate de-
than Wellington. Tryon is centrally located on the East Coast in North Carolina’s horse country, in the “thermal
mand for traditional broadcast media, which is the ultimate prize in the evolution of the sport.
belt” region, which is one of the most temperate climates in the U.S. In 2015, we launched 8 FEI weeks with
over 20 FEI classes. 2016 will mark the introduction of an expanded FEI schedule with two additional 5* competitions. We believe this will be the lowest cost access to FEI classes in the U.S.
10noëllefloyd.com
Mark Bellissimo
noëllefloyd.com11
Rolex Grand
Slam:
Scott Brash & Hello Sanctos
realize show jumping’s
most impossible dream
It’s easy to say in hindsight, but there was no one more ready to
win the Rolex Grand Slam of show jumping than Great Britain’s
Scott Brash and Hello Sanctos on Sunday, September 13, at Spruce
Meadows in Calgary, Canada.
Brash set himself up for the unprecedented title and prize
money bonus by winning the first two legs of the Grand Slam
in succession, at Geneva, Switzerland and Aachen, Germany
in late 2014 and May of this year. But to win the third competition of the trio, the notoriously difficult $1.5 Million CP
International Grand Prix? It was believed to be near to impossible for even the best horse and rider.
However, “best” doesn’t begin to describe this 29-year-old rider from Peebles, Scotland, or his amazing horse, the 14-yearold Belgian bred gelding Hello Sanctos (Quasimodo x Nabab
de Reve) owned by Lord and Lady Harris, and Lady Kirkham.
Together, their partnership is magic, and as the perpetually calm
and cool Brash entered the arena for Round Two, just 11 fences
away from the biggest 70 seconds of his career, both horse
and man seemed to know that the moment was all theirs. They
shared the same bright expression, the same confident composure. It was if they could already see their place in show
jumping history, and they proceeded to ride directly towards it.
with
Thirty-five-year old Gregory Wathelet reached
Gregory
Wathelet
Q: One of your first competitions with Conrad de Hus was the
for this level. A few serious people came straight to me that
Q: Do you think that the Olympic qualification process is fair,
year and asked for the horse. They proposed a good price for
or does it stand to be improved?
an 8-year-old that was green and had done only a 1.40m class.
A: For me, no it’s not fair. It’s not normal that big show jumping
I called the owner and explained the situation, and he
countries like Ireland and Belgium cannot go, but small coun-
asked me what I thought. I said for sure if he was not good
tries even like Australia, Japan, Argentina can go. I understand
enough, we would have to sell him. But honestly, I thought he
that they need to open the sport, but when they do this, the
was a horse for the big sport. And so we agreed to wait. The
teams that are not strong end up going before strong teams.
door was always open for him to be sold, but after he went bet-
Yes, it’s good for Spain to go to Rio, they have good riders
ter and better, every time the owner said ‘we wait, we wait.’
and they can be a strong team. And even Australia is not so
And last year after Aachen when he was double clear in the
bad as a team, but it’s nothing compared to Ireland. That’s may-
grand prix, there were so many people asking after him that
be something not normal. I don’t have the answer. You want
I said ok, we have to decide something. So we put a very big
to give the chance to everybody, but it needs to be the best
price on him that we knew was too expensive for what he’d
teams that go to Rio. Even for individuals, small countries can
done. And after that everything was a bit more quiet! And he
qualify for Rio in the Pan American Games, but it doesn’t work
is not sold yet…
like this for teams in Europe.
Q: Is the Individual Silver your first championship medal? What
Q: Describe your feeling after Aachen, in which you experienced
Youngster classes at Aachen in 2013. What did it mean for you
a new career high over the summer when he
to be competing there with him two years later, winning an Individual European medal?
other goals are you focused on?
the high of an Individual medal and the low of your team
earned Individual Silver at the FEI European
A: It meant so much, but it almost meant even more last year,
A: Yes it is my first medal. But I try not to think about a goal all
not performing.
when Conrad was double clear in the Nations Cup at Aachen,
the time. I think if you only think about what you want, in the
A: It was so much pressure. All week, and then the last day – I
Championships in Aachen, Germany. It was
because that was the first time he really proved himself on the
end it’s never coming. Of course if I could one day be [World]
am quite good under pressure but it was a lot. You feel that
world stage.
Number One or win the Olympic Games, I would do everything
you are working for so many years, and so many weeks before,
a great reward for the hardworking Belgian
for it. But I try to do the best I can with what I have in my cur-
for that moment.
do that, or ride him at the Europeans two years later. I was think-
rent situation, and so I concentrate on the current situation.
It’s not like another grand prix where if you have a rail down
ing that he would be sold even before that.
Aachen was my first championship when I had a horse with
you are sad for maybe ten minutes. It’s a championship and
rider who’ d already been through a few ups
When I rode him when he was eight, I wasn’t thinking I would
His owner and Gille Botton, the rider who rode him when
more experience. I knew how to make him ready and what we
you only have a chance at it every three years. So I was there,
and downs in his career. Among them, a short
he was young, always believed in him, but for a time he was
could do, and it was the first time I knew I could really try for a
I had a chance, I was in a good place, I felt that my horse was
with Michel Robert, and Michel was like ‘ah, maybe he was not
medal. That was my goal this year, but next year things will be
really fit, and I really felt that I could not have a mistake.
stint riding under the flag of The Ukraine,
good enough.’ That’s why I got him. They called me and said
different and I will have another goal.
In one round I could get a medal, and I knew if I was clear I
would get a medal, and if I had one down I wouldn’t get any-
do you want to come have a sit on him, first not really to give
losing the ride on horses he’ d brought along,
me the horse, but just to see what I thought.
Q: Conrad is undoubtedly of Olympic quality, yet Belgium failed
thing. So when I passed the last jump and I was clear, it was
The owner always wanted to keep the horse for a French
to qualify a team for Rio. How does this change your own plan
really something. There were so many things going through
and finally, pairing with Conrad de Hus, his
rider because he’s French. But I went there, I sat on him, I jumped
for the next 12 months?
my head. That moment was why I work for it.
in the grass arena, and he jumped really well. The owner came
A: As an individual, I’m not sure if I will go to Rio. The rankings
As the hours and days go by, you start to realize what you
Europeans partner that was rejected by another
down and I said ‘I have never ridden an eight year old like this.
depend on horse and rider together, and who knows if my horse
did. It was not only a good result for me, it was a good result
top rider before Wathelet connected with him.
I think he’s extraordinary. If I say this one is not good I don’t
is injured, if my horse is sold, you just don’t know. And the qualifi-
for the people around me and for Belgium. It was a result that I
know anything.’ And straightaway he said, ‘ok, the horse is
cation is quite complicated to follow – between four and six Eu-
am still thinking about. In Belgium, it’s only Jos, Ludo, Philippe
ropeans will go as individuals. The medal that I earned from
who have won an individual medal. For me to be coming into
the Europeans doesn’t mean anything as far as myself being
that group, it’s really nice. It means a lot.
for you.’
Gregory Wathelet is all that you expect
Q: In the past you have brought along horses only to see them
able to go to Rio. You just have to be in the top six or top four
both in and out of the ring, with quiet hands, an
sold from under you. How have the owners of Conrad they made
in either the North or Southern Europe groups.
it possible for you to keep the ride on him these last three years?
Sure, if I have one or two more very good results I should be
easy smile, and honest words:
A: I knew already in Aachen two years ago that he was a horse
fine to be qualified as an individual, but nothing is 100% sure.
14noëllefloyd.com
noëllefloyd.com15
Show Jumping’s
Newest Heavy Hitter
How Frank McCourt Is Batting
1,000 for Equestrian Sport I
n 2008, the Los Angeles Dodgers played a baseball game
grown up in it. In China, the fans didn’t really understand what
at Wukesong Stadium in Beijing, China. It was a first for both
was going on.
Major League Baseball, and for Chinese sports fans that had
“When we took the LGCT to Shanghai last year and made
never witnessed America’s greatest pastime in action. Then-
history there by having the first horse show of its kind in China,
Dodgers owner Frank McCourt remembers the trip well. So
again the fans enjoyed themselves, but what I noticed was that
many people turned up to watch that the lines to get into the
they did understand what was going on,” McCourt explains.
stadium snaked around the block. There was a home run, a
“They were able to follow it. Not that show jumping doesn’t
tied game, and the vendors ran out of hot dogs.
16noellefloyd.com
by Erin Gilmore
have its own nuances, but as a spectator, you can pick up on
This anecdote has absolutely nothing to do with equestrian
the basics easily. People can follow a clock, they can see a rail
sports – until you fast-forward six years, when McCourt was
down.”
back in China with another new sport. In 2014, the Ameri-
For McCourt, it was a stark illustration of the global poten-
can businessman, who also owns the Los Angeles Marathon,
tial of the sport. Place it in a foreign environment, and watch
threw his weight behind the Longines Global Champions Tour
how people react to it. Show jumping passed with flying col-
by buying a 50% interest in it. Newly minted as part owner of
ors.
the LGCT, McCourt traveled to Shanghai for what was one of
McCourt himself shares some similarities with those Chi-
the first stops on the 2014 Tour.
nese spectators. Prior to 2012, he’d never watched a show
“In 2008, the Dodgers-Padres series were the first major
jumping event, and even now he doesn’t pretend to be any
league baseball games ever played in China,” 61-year-old
kind of expert of the sport. But when he accompanied his
McCourt recounts. “It was a weekend series, fans were there
then-girlfriend and current fiancé Monica Algarra to the 2012
enjoying themselves, and I think it was a great success. But
Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida, he was im-
baseball is a very nuanced sport, with a lot of traditions and
mediately mesmerized by the excitement of show jumping
rules that make it very difficult to follow unless you’ve almost
and the athleticism of the horses. (cont.)
noellefloyd.com17
Lessons in Baseball
Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, McCourt’s back-
Alexander, as well as the deep pocketed Qatari Equestrian
ground in real estate development evolved into sports owner-
Team in addition to running the LGCT.
ship in 2004 with his purchase of the Los Angeles Dodgers for
McCourt on the other hand possesses the open and
$430 million. By 2010, the Dodgers’ value had nearly doubled,
friendly countenance of an American businessman; everyone
to $727 million. McCourt invested heavily into club improve-
he meets is greeted as a friend with a warm handshake, and
ments while reducing payroll, and when he sold the Dodgers
strangers are immediately put at ease in his company. He en-
in late 2011, estimated value of the team was $1.4 billion – the
joys horses but his personal experience with them begins and
largest sale in history of a professional sports franchise.
ends with occasional rides with his fiancé.
Similarly, as owner of the Los Angeles Marathon, McCourt
But where Tops is an expert in horses and deeply embed-
revitalized the race, and in 2010 it attracted the largest field in
ded in show jumping, McCourt (and the McCourt Group)
its 27-year history.
bring the skillset to hold the sport up to the mirror of global
McCourt’s era with the Dodgers wasn’t without its fair share
business development.
of turbulence; he was accused of diverting assets for his per-
“One of the things I observed is that the sport is a bit frag-
sonal needs, and in 2011 the team filed for bankruptcy. The
mented, what I would call dissertated,” McCourt says. “In
sale of the team was preceded by the MLB seizing control of
other words, there are a lot of different competitions, a lot of
its operations, and McCourt’s concurrent divorce settlement
different formats, a lot of different things happening, which
“…the sport will be miles ahead years from now, but
we have to remember it’s about doing it inch by inch,”
he says. “One thing I can say for sure is we shouldn’t
underestimate the potential of show jumping.”
with Jamie McCourt, his wife of 30 years and a team co-owner,
on the one hand is great. It shows that lots of people are en-
is believed to be one of the costliest in California’s history.
gaged. On the other hand, because of the variety of formats
“More US-based LGCT stops might happen in 2016, or it
After selling the Dodgers, McCourt refocused on the Mc-
and competitions and so forth, it’s a little difficult to follow if
might take a little bit longer. But we are committed to expand-
Court Group, and its major real estate, development and phil-
you’re not in the thick of it.”
ing the sport globally,” he says. “There will be more shows like
and successful amateur rider, soon became farm owners in
The Same Language
Asia. It’s hard to develop a fan base in the USA if the sport isn’t
Wellington, and McCourt’s interest in show jumping contin-
That observation was part of what led to the creation of the
accessible to people, or if the competitions aren’t happening
ued to grow.
Global Champions League, which will debut in 2016. While it
in the USA. We need to change that and we intend to.”
will indeed be another new competition added to the afore-
LGCT Miami Beach was proof that if you build it, new Ameri-
A Global Partnership
mentioned variety of formats in the sport, McCourt sees it
can show jumping fans will come. Free grandstands that filled
“After selling the Dodgers and just loving sports in general
as a next step for show jumping – one that will present the
quickly and an open-to-all show venue helped demonstrate
and being a sportsman, I was fascinated by the sport of show
sport with the same benchmarks that people use to follow
that the sport has legs in growing markets such as the United
anthropic holdings. He and Algarra, a passionate horse lover
Miami in the USA. There will be more shows like Shanghai in
jumping, and interested in its untapped potential.” McCourt
mainstream sports. Team owners. Rider trades. Perhaps,
States.
says. “I hired Blackstone [global investment and advisory firm]
even “game” rosters are on the horizon. The GCL will create
“The big takeaway in Miami was that people who hadn’t
to do a global survey of the sport, so that I could get further
more stickiness and interest, McCourt promises. Using the
been exposed to the sport before really, really got hooked,”
educated on it. I asked them in particular if they could identify
language that sports fans have been conditioned to follow
McCourt, who was in attendance at LGCT Miami Beach, re-
any principals in the sport, any experts, who also had a com-
in sports is something that he and Tops plan to use to their
members. “When you saw people standing there four, five
mercial sensibility for show jumping. They came back to me
advantage.
deep with bleachers completely full, it was something else.”
with Jan Tops’ name.”
The Global Champions League will run concurrently along-
Wisely, McCourt won’t make any big predictions about
McCourt and Global Champions Tour president and found-
side the Global Champions Tour, with GCL events taking place
where the sport of show jumping will be in five, or ten years.
er Jan Tops met in October 2013, and by February, they were
on the Friday of each LGCT stop. As far as the GCT season
But, especially as someone from the relative outside looking
partners.
itself is concerned, when McCourt signed on as part owner, it
in, the future he sees is tantalizing.
The two men couldn’t be more different – the Dutch-born
raised the hopes of those who wished to see the LGCT add
“I think the sport will be miles ahead years from now, but
Tops is an abrupt, serious horseman with 30-plus years as a
more stops in the United States. That wish came true this past
we have to remember it’s about doing it inch by inch,” he says.
professional rider and a star-studded record as an Olympic
April, with the enormously successful LGCT Miami Beach in
“One thing I can say for sure is we shouldn’t underestimate the
show jumper. He trains his wife, Australian rider Edwina Tops-
Florida, and McCourt hints that there is much more to come.
18noëllefloyd.com
potential of show jumping.”
noëllefloyd.com19
Starsof the
Summer
There was much more to international show
jumping sport during the Summer of 2015 than a
Grand Slam or a certain Scottish rider. Among the
global landscape of an intense summer season, a
new European champion was crowned, Ireland
celebrated as its most illustrious show jumping
trophy was jubilantly claimed by their home team,
and an American hero saw his long sought-after
dream of winning an individual medal realized.
The Rider: Jeroen Dubbledam, The
Netherlands
The Big Win: Individual and World FEI
European Champion, 2015
The Horse: S.F.N. Zenith NOP
The Moment That Mattered: “On the
Sunday for the Individual Final, my horse
could not make one mistake. The most
difficult thing for us was the triple combination in the first round of the Individual
Final. It was a plank, plank, oxer after the
water. If there was anything I was con-
There are many stars in the sport of show jumping,
but the achievements of this trio stood out on the
world stage. Read on:
cerned about on the Sunday, it was that
part of the course because that type of
combination is very difficult for Zenith. I
knew that if we could do this part well
and get through this part of the course
then we could not make a fault anywhere else. I felt really strongly, that after that part of the course, nothing bad
could happen anymore.”
noëllefloyd.com21
The Rider: McLain Ward, United States
The Big Win: Individual Gold Medal,
2015 Pan American Games
The Horse: Rothchild
The Moment That Mattered: “I waited a
long time [for this medal]. I have had
great team experiences and this is certainly something I have dreamed about
and worked towards. My game plan
was to ride the first five fences [in the
jumpoff] fast to try to win it two ways
– if I had a fence down I would still be
fast enough – and I was lucky at the last
(fence), I gave that a bit of a rattle. But
I’ve never won a big one without a little
bit of good fortune!”
The Rider: Bertram Allen, Ireland
The Big Win: 2015 Aga Khan Trophy and
Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup at Dublin
The Horse: Romanov
The Moment that Mattered: “I don’t know
why I [dropped the reins after the last
fence]. I was quite far off the fence but I
just sort of did it automatically, I wasn’t
really thinking. Dublin is so special and we
were looking good. I knew that if I jumped
clear it would be a big help. We felt pretty confident after the first round that we
had it and that we could win for Ireland
right then and there.”
“I don’t know what it is about Dublin, but
it’s just such an amazing place for Irish riders. It feels so amazing to ride well there.”
22noëllefloyd.com
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the Cooks
Kitchen
in the
A conversation with three of show jumping’s chefs d’équipe.
by Erin Gilmore
I
n direct translation, the French term “chef d’équipe” sim-
ply means “leader.” It’s a different kind of identifier, this title
that we give our team leaders, but a fitting one. The “chefs”, as
they’re so often called, are the cooks in a busy kitchen of sorts,
one with many different ingredients and moving parts, that
when combined correctly result in a recipe of success.
No matter the title, that of chef d’équipe is an important role
to play in a sport as capricious as show jumping, where no single man or beast can ever be counted as wholly responsible
for the team result of the day.
That said, in many ways the chefs d’équipe are the architects
of success and failure on the day. Long before competition begins on the field of play, the team chef has put in many days of
work, miles of travel and hours of consideration into the formation of each team they put forward to represent their nation.
In speaking with the chef d’équipes of three great show jumping nations, it was no surprise to learn that they all share the
same deceivingly straightforward end goal: to win. But when
the road to winning is paved with different strategies, challenges and viewpoints, the chef d’équipe is relied upon to lead
the way.
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Rob Ehrens:
Depth of the Dutch
It’s no secret which nation ranks best on the recent track record of
In his small country where his most far flung rider lives just
that we have a lot of them. But when the puzzle falls together,
success. Within the last 12 months, the small nation of Holland
three hours away by car, the phones are still his most impor-
the good ones also need the good horse. That is for a lot of
won Team Gold in World, Nations Cup, and European Champi-
tant tool, and like every chef d’équipe, he uses his constantly
riders not so easy.”
onships, a mighty achievement for a country of any size.
to check in with his riders throughout the season.
But for a lot of riders, that is becoming easier, with the as-
That Ehrens, who has served as The Netherland’s chef d’équipe
Ehren’s season begins at the end of the indoor circuit, in late
sistance of the Springpaarden Fonds Netherland, a nationally
since 2005, has been able to reign over such wins is a testa-
spring. He brings together all of his senior riders for one big
funded syndicate that assist in purchasing top show jumpers
ment to his successful guidance. He lives outside of Valkenswaard,
meeting to put forward his very specific plan for the year. But
for Dutch riders. The biggest task, as always, is the search to
Holland, and while retired from his own career as an interna-
from then on, it’s important to him not to micromanage.
find and produce the very top horses in the world. While there
tional rider, still helps his son Robbert Ehrens manage their yard
“Those who want assistance can get it. But I’m not the type
are others who concentrate on that, it’s an initiative that Ehrens
of 20 horses. Time is split between travel to shows and watch-
of coach who wants to put his stamp on how it has to be,” Eh-
vey much supports.
ing results; there’s nothing out of the ordinary about that, he says.
rens says. “If I see something that in my opinion can change
To have more horses such as the champion S.F.N. Zenith NOP,
a bit, then I tell them that. But I learned from being myself an
ridden by Dubbledam, on the Dutch team will grow its depth
active rider, if you try to put a rider into your own box, that’s
even more, and give more riders the opportunity to grow into
not working.”
the top level. For Ehrens, the SFN circles back to his strategy
What is working for Ehrens is trust. He trusts his top riders to
of securing points in the four Europe First Division Nations Cup
tell him when they’re ready for a big championship, and for that
qualifiers, so that the other four, non-pointed qualifiers can be
rider’s word to be true. Perhaps that’s why the same four rid-
opened up to new riders on the team.
ers have surfaced as his world team again and again: Jur Vriel-
“That is what we did this year,” Ehrens says. “You never know
ing, Maikel van der Vlueten, Gerco Schroeder and Jeroen Dub-
if one or two combinations which you have in your mind for a
bledam are the stalwart veterans of the Dutch team.
championship is maybe not in a good form, gets an injury, or
Not to say that Ehrens doesn’t have an eye on the up and
whatsoever. Then you need a back up plan.”
coming senior riders. Whether they are competing at a 1*, 2*,
So far, Ehrens hasn’t needed a back up plan. But when the
3* or above, if a Dutch rider has a good result on the weekend,
day comes that he does need to call on one of his “back ups”
they can count on receiving a text message or call of congrat-
to step up onto a crucial senior team, there’s little doubt that
ulations from Ehrens.
the depth of the Dutch would let him down.
“I always try to do my best in that,” he says. “And that’s why
it’s important to follow all of the shows. It’s not that I’m sitting
at home. If I don’t speak with the riders then I can’t fill in [the
lists]; I have to be straight on top of it.”
The Dutch federation has a system in which riders can apply for
shows that they wish to attend. Ehrens checks the list of applications, which for a major 5* competition can include as many
as 20 riders, and fills the six to eight available slots based on who
is most ready to “finish the job.”
“The coach is in a good position when the riders can finish
the job. What is finishing the job? You need riders that you can
send into the arena with a message, and they come out with
the result,” Ehrens explains. “I’m a happy coach in that way
noellefloyd.com27
Unlike Ehrens, when Lampard got the job as chef d’équipe,
“The money they receive is based on levels of performance.
she closed down her training business to concentrate 100% on
It helps provide equipment and enables them to travel to shows
her new position.
that they wouldn’t have been able to otherwise,” Lampard ex-
“When we started the season, it was a whole new team get-
plains. She worked her way up the levels herself as a chef, first
ting together,” Lampard says. “It was the start of a new era, and
coaching Maher and Whitaker when they were on pony level
we wanted to make a really good start at this. The team spirit
teams as children.
was fantastic and it has been ever since.”
The world-class program, it is fantastic security for the rid-
Three early season Nations Cup wins all but secured Great
ers,” Lampard adds. “I always get the feeling, when we travel
Britain’s spot at the Furusiyya Nations Cup final, and allowed
throughout the world, that we are the envy of other nations.
Lampard to “tinker and play with the whole squad” during the
We get this good support, and I think it gives our riders confi-
rest of the year.
dence. And we have absolutely brilliant riders.”
“One thing I did talk about at the beginning of the year was
Almost immediately after the qualification for Rio was secured,
that this effort wasn’t about one coach or one performance man-
Team Great Britain began canvassing the Olympic venue in Bra-
ager, it was about a team, it was about everybody making this
zil and making its plan of execution to successfully defend its
World Class British Pride
work to qualify in Aachen for Rio,” Lampard adds. “It was a huge
gold medal. Lampard is similarly focused on her squad of 15
squad of riders that helped make that happen, and in the whole
senior British riders, and setting them up for absolute success
of British show jumping, the spirit has been second to none,
in the coming year.
Speaking of depth, Great Britain’s chef d’équipe Di Lampard
which has shown.”
That will include choosing the ideal teams for 2016 Nations
has at her fingertips the talent of literally the best senior riders
The successful UK Lottery Funded program, which assists both
Cups that mimic the ring in Rio, and helping her riders prepare
in the world. In her first year on the job as Great Britain’s chef
up and coming and veteran riders in attending crucial compe-
for podium finishes. When Lampard makes yard visits, she watch-
d’équipe, Lampard had the crucial task of ensuring that Great
titions around the world, was credited in large part for helping
es her riders school their horses, works together with them and
Britain, the 2012 London Olympic team gold medalists, would
Great Britain win Olympic gold in 2012 and continues to sup-
exchanges comments about how the horses are going and dis-
qualify for next year’s 2016 Olympics.
port the depth of talent in the British squad.
cuss programs for each of the top horses.
They pulled it off at the European Championships in August,
Leading British riders Scott Brash, Ben Maher, Robert Whita-
“Everything needs to be taken into consideration,” she says.
despite the much-publicized absence of FEI World No. 1 British
ker and even Nick Skelton all came up the levels with the assis-
“The well being of the horses, and their fitness can change, so
rider Scott Brash, who saved his horse in order to bid for the
tance of the Lottery Funded world-class program. Supported
we literally have to take this day by day. We’ve got great rid-
Rolex Grand Slam. While that was a disappointment (although it
by UK Sport, riders who are identified as potential podium rid-
ers, and great owners who are very supportive. It’s their goal
paid off for Brash in the end) for Lampard, she had plenty of
ers are supported with coaching sessions and financial assis-
to get to Rio, too.”
talent to draw from.
tance up a series of levels.
Di Lampard:
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The United States can claim three senior riders among the
developing riders (there are over 200 of them). The U25 pro-
World Ranked Top Ten, a depth of senior talent that is stronger
vides a second tier between the Junior rankings and the Se-
than any other nation in the world other than Germany. Like the
nior list, which is where Ridland wants to see the nation’s best
Dutch, when it comes to championship teams, Ridland draws
young talent graduate to.
on the talent of those riders (Beezie Madden, Kent Farrington,
“I’m always big on quality, but limited experience in the show
McLain Ward) first for championship teams. But that is far from
ring,” Ridland says. ”Let’s try not to over show our top hors-
where his approach ends.
es, but at the same time, because of that, it opens up space to
Since taking over the chef d’équipe position from George
see where our next generation of riders and horses are
Morris in 2012, Ridland has led Team USA to triumphant vic-
coming from.”
tories, and also raised eyebrows for his forward-thinking team
Ali Wolff was a direct result of that strategy; the 26-year-old
strategy. But it’s a tactic for hitting the big picture goals that
from New Albany, Ohio graduated to her first Senior team in
has worked; take for example the United States’ early qualifi-
2015 and jumped double clear to help Team USA secure vic-
cation for Rio 2016 at the 2014 WEG, and its qualification for
tory in the Nations Cup at Coapexpan, Mexico.
the 2015 Furusiyya Nations Cup Final early in the season.
In addition to talent, Ridland is looking for the hardest work-
Taking those weights off his shoulders allowed Ridland to
ers among that next generation. Unlike Great Britain and Hol-
make different team decisions that fed his passion: growing
land, no nationally funded program for riders or for securing
the United States’ base of elite riders. 2015 became a year of
horses exists in the United States. But that doesn’t matter, Rid-
giving developing riders their first chances to perform on Se-
land says, because true talent always surfaces if a rider is will-
Growing the Elite Base
nior teams, and while the day didn’t always end with America
ing to work for opportunity.
on a podium, Ridland stands behind the approach.
“Our top riders throughout history have always been ones
“I concentrated on exposure this year, not on our top four
who have figured out how to get it done. You don’t necessar-
Geographically, one might think that United States chef d’équipe
riders,” he says. “It was very intentional that the top riders on
ily have to be self-funded to get on the podium. You have to
Robert Ridland has the biggest challenge in terms of tracking
the ranking list were to have very limited exposure on Senior
be good, and if you work harder than anyone else, and you
his riders, but he says that’s not so.
Nations Cups. I asked them to do that. I didn’t want any rider
have more talent than anyone else, the horses will come to
“I knew that when I got the job, it didn’t really matter wheth-
to go in more than two Nations Cups this summer in Europe,
you. That’s the way it has always happened, that’s the way it’s
er I was based on the East Coast, the Midwest or the West Coast.
because that would be taking a spot away from somebody else.
always going to happen,” Ridland insists. “I’m blind toward
I was primarily going to be on the phone,” he says. “I was go-
We have three riders in the top 10 in the world right now, but
self funded or not. All I care about is the horse and rider and
ing to be on a lot of planes.”
until the Spruce Masters Nations Cup, we didn’t have any two
how they function. Who owns my riders’ horses, I don’t care.
of the same top riders on the same Nations Cup team (with the
In some cases a parent does. In other cases, it’s private own-
Ridland lives in Southern California with his wife, trainer Hilary
exception of the Pan Ams.)
ers. Sure it’s more difficult for some rather than others, but it
Ridland. As he has for over 15 years, he continues to manage
“We’ve had a lot of riders riding in their first Nations Cups this
doesn’t give you a pass. I don’t see anything changing.”
the Blenheim Equisports hunter/jumper competition facility, al-
year, and we spread the experience and the exposure around.”
It’s true that horsemanship and riding talent are a great equal-
though these days in more an oversight role, and he works with
There’s not a morning that Ridland doesn’t wake up and ask
izer, once one enters the arena. As for getting there, well, there
Hilary in their training business. Whenever, that is, he is not on
himself – if the Olympics were tomorrow, who would the team
is no lack of privately funded, under 25 riders in the United
the road with the senior U.S. show jumping team.
be? Who would be in the wings? Having a rock solid Plan A,
States. The next generation of high performance riders are al-
and Plan B, and Plan C is what motivates this chef to constantly
ready redefining “elite” as they strengthen America’s Plan B,
examine the top and bottom of America’s international lists.
Plan C, and beyond.
Robert Ridland:
“You’re always one or two horse injuries away from being irrelevant,” he says. And if you’re not certain what your Plan
B and Plan C is, you’re playing the odds more than I want to
be doing.”
New in 2015 was the USEF Under 25 Ranking List, which helps
Ridland keep his eye on who is moving up in the large pool of
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Up
Close
Horses in Profile
Hello Sanctos
Cornet d’Amour
Cornet 39
Antello Z
Scott Brash, GBR
Daniel Deusser, GER
Lauren Hough, USA
Cameron Hanley, IRE
“Sanctos loves fruit of all kinds,
“Cornet is very sure of himself and
“Cornet 39 knows how to give a
“When Antello Z is competing he’s spooky and
knows he’s the king in the stable.
kiss on command.”
especially bananas!”
He likes to be the center of attention!”
jumping around the place, but for whatever
reason, he’s the quietest prizegiving horse that
Cameron Hanley’s ever had.”
Barron
Argento
Willow
Quickly de Kreisker
Casall ASK
Molly Malone
Lucy Davis, USA
John Whitaker, GBR
Kent Farrington, USA
Abdelkebir Ouaddar, MAR
Rölf-Goran Bengtsson, SWE
Bertram Allen, IRE
“Barron earned the nickname ‘lazy
“Argento’s favorite color is grey – when
“Believe it or not, Willow’s early
“Despite being so well known for
“Casall is really a professional athlete.
“Molly is very sweet and relaxed
crazy’ because one minute he’s relaxed
it comes to horses, that is. He loves
days were spent as a family
pinning his ears n the ring, Quickly is
When he goes to the ring he is on.
at home, and prefers sugar rather than
and the other he’s spinning you off”
grey horses, male or female, doesn’t
carriage horse!”
a very happy horse!”
No distractions, no nonsense.”
the polo mints that the other horses
matter so long as they’re grey!”
get as a treat.”
In EVENTS
noellefloyd.com35
Calgary, Canada · September 9th to 13th
History was made at the Spruce Meadows Masters when Scott
Spruce Meadows
Masters CSI5*
France’s Jerome Hurel
Brash fulfilled his dream of winning the Rolex Grand Slam. The
$1.5 Million CP International Grand Prix capped an exciting
weekend that also saw Brazil win the BMO Nations Cup in their
first team appearance at Spruce Meadows.
Jenn Serek
Nicola Philippaerts
Caroline Holmberg
& Rebecca Foster
Scott Brash
& Hello Sanctos
Gregory Wathelet
Richard Spooner & Cristallo
“The Captain” Ian Millar
Pieter Devos &
Dylano
Linda Southern on course with show sponsors
Olivier Philippaerts
Eric Lamaze &
Mark Laskin
Norman Dello Joio
& Ben Asselin
Eduardo Menezes
Pedro Veniss &
Felipe Amaral
Pedro Veniss celebrates a clear round
Raising the CP International trophy
Tiffany Foster
Scott Brash &
Hello Sanctos
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Rome, Italy · September 10th to 12th
Tradition at every turn
Luciana Diniz &
Eduard de Rothschild
The inaugural Longines Global Champions Tour of Rome was
ROME
weighted with the true atmosphere of Italy’s rich sporting history. White marble statues of gladiators lined the international
arena as Rolf-Göran Bengtsson rode Casall ASK to victory in
the LGCT Grand Prix of Rome.
An entrance worthy of Rome
Diniz runs away from Ehning during
the champagne celebration
Marlon Modolo Zanotelli, Marcus Ehning,
Lorenzo de Luca & Henk Nooren
Marco Kutscher &
Christian Ahlmann
Winners Rolf-Göran Bengtsson
& Casall ASK
Patrice Delaveau’s
Lacrimoso HDC
Marcus Ehning &
Darragh Kenny
discuss
Traditional
Italian
military in
attendance
Luciana gives Fit For Fun a big kiss
before taking to the podium
Marco Kutscher & Van Gogh
Prize ceremony
Victory gallop
Marcus Ehning & Comme il faut
Casall ASK with the winning ribbon
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Aachen, Germany · August 19th to 23rd
Romain Duget & Quorida de Treho
Cian O’Connor
& Good Luck
Denis Lynch
Jeroen Dubbledam added another pair of jewels to his star-studded
FEI European Championships 2015
AACHEN
Unmatched Aachen
crown at the most highly anticipated competition of the calendar
year in Europe. The new Individual and Team European champion
led Holland to the top of the podium, where Germany followed
with Team Silver, and Switzerland with Team Bronze.
Ben Maher & Diva II
Daniel Deusser &
Cornet D’Amour
Jeroen Dubbledam &
SFN Zenith N.O.P.
Rölf Goran Bengtsson
Dutch spirit
Swiss chef d’équipe
Andy Kistler
Switzerland celebrates
Team Silver
John Whitaker
Jeroen Dubbledam
coursewalking
Team Holland talks shop
Jur Vrieling
Victoria Gulliksen
& Bokai
Team Gold: Jur Vrieling, Gerco Schroder,
Maikel van der Vlueten, Jeroen Dubbledam
Sergio Alvarez Moya
congratulates teammate
Eduardo Alvarez Aznar
Penelope Leprevost,
Henri Prudent &
Katie Prudent
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Bruce & Patti Springsteen
with Monica Algarra
Valkenswaard, The Netherlands · August 13th to 16th
Uliano Vezzani
Jane Richard Phillips
Patrice Delaveau
in the warmup
The unveiling of the new Tops International Arena at the home base
VALKENSWAARD
of LGCT President and Founder Jan Tops coincided with the 2015
LGCT Valkenswaard. Marco Kutscher of Germany took top honors in
the €300,000 LGCT Grand Prix, and a new team format class premiered ahead of the 2016 Global Champions League launch.
Paola Amibilia
Steve Guerdat & Corbinian
Team Qatar on the skybridge
Edwina Tops-Alexander
celebrates her win
Margie Engle & Tiffany Foster
Sean Lynch & Daniel Deusser
Jan Tops watching the ring
Marco Kutscher
& Van Gogh
Spectators making
the most of the rain
Jos Verlooy &
Farlelu de la Pomme
Kara Chad
Kevin Staut &
Roger Yves Bost
Eurocommerce
California
Kevin Staut
Tiffany Foster
Eric Lamaze & Fine Lady
Marcus Beerbaum &
Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum
Simon Delestre &
Qlassic Margot
Pius Schwizer &
PCG Future
Rolf GöranBengtsson &
Harrie Smolders
42noellefloyd.com
Marco Kutscher
celebrates
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Dublin, Ireland · August 5th to 9th
Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano
Kent Farrington victory gallops
Kent Farrington & Uceko
Ireland won’t soon forget this year’s edition of the RDS; the team of
Bertram Allen, Cian O’Connor, Darragh Kenny & Greg Broderick took a
Discover Ireland
sweeping win of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup & Aga Khan Trophy in
Royal DUBLIN CSIO5*
Sameh el Dahan & Seapatrick Cruise Cavalier,
winners of the Land Rover Puissance
front of a joyous hometown crowd. Kent Farrington closed out the weekend with a victory for the USA when he won the Grand Prix of Ireland.
Georgina Bloomberg
Festooned in ribbons
Eric van der Vleuten & Lucy Davis
Robert Lubrano with Celtic Hero B Z
Cian O’Connor & Good Luck
Venezuela’s Andres
Rodriguez
Ladies Day attendees
Edna Carrol
Steve Guerdat
Michael D. Higgins,
President of Ireland
Irish chef d’équipe Robert Splaine
Puissance top finishers Kent Farrington
Andres Rodriguez,
Sameh el Dahan,
Billy Twomey
Sergio Alvarez Moya
André Thieme
Cian O’Connor
and a fan
Scott Brash
Luca Maria
Moneta
Greg Broderick, Darragh Kenny, Robert Splaine,
Bertram Allen, Cian O’Connor
Sameh el Dahan
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Dinard, France · July 30th to August 2nd
Kent Farrington
& Willow
Marie Hecart
The organizers of Jumping Dinard were congratulated for presenting
a flawless four days of competition and their first year as a FEI CSI5*
Jumping International
rated show. Thousands of attendees and the world’s top riders
DINARD CSI5*
A stunning atmosphere
enjoyed the event, where Ireland’s Bertram Allen won the finale
Grand Prix of Dinard aboard Molly Malone.
Julia & Jan Tops
Bertram Allen &
Molly Malone
Show organizer
Danièle Mars
Jerome Guery & Zojapser
Olivier Guillon &
Silver Deux de Virto
Laura Renwick &
Rembrandt Lue
Jamie Kermond
Darragh Kenny
Lauren Hough, Hardin
Towell & Ilan Ferder
Kara Chad & Eric Lamaze
Guillaume Canet
Billy Twomey &
Tinka’s Serenade
Jerome Hurel
Bertram Allen
Making a young fan’s day
Gregory Wathelet
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Tiffany Foster
Bassem Hassan Mohammed
Kent Farrington
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John Whitaker & Argento
London, England · July 24th to 26th
Casall Ask
gets a kiss
Katherine Dinan
Grey skies couldn’t stop riders in Syon Park outside of London,
LONDON
where Rolf-Göran Bengtsson and Casall Ask of Sweden picked
up victory in the LGCT Grand Prix of London, and Great Britain’s
Scott Brash notched a win and a top finish to take over the 2015
LGCT overall lead from Portugal’s Luciana Diniz.
Jan Tops stays dry
Kamal Abdullah Bahamden
Patrice Delaveau
through the timers
Meredith Michaels
Beerbaum & Comanche
Julia Hargreaves &
Georgina Harvey
Roger Yves Bost
Laura Renwick, winner
on the final day
Beezie Madden & Simon
Simon Delestre & team
Rölf-Goran Bengtsson
& Casall Ask
Jessica Springsteen &
Edwina Tops Alexander
Massimo Dutti
representing in
the prizegiving
Ben Maher & Rob Hoekstra
John & Michael Whitaker
with fans
Jaime Azcarraga
At the ingate
Jan Tops with Juan Carlos Capelli of Longines,
& President of the Qatar Equestrian Federation
Rölf-Goran Bengtsson enjoys
his champagne prize
John Whitaker,
Rölf-Goran Bengtsson
& Simon Delestre
Bassem Hassan
Mohammed
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Markus Beerbaum
with daughter Brianne
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Caledon Equestrian Park · Toronto, Canada · July 21st to 26th
Individual Silver Medalists
Andres Rodriguez & Darlon
van Groenhove
Kent Farrington & Gazelle
Pressure to excel only increased for Pan American show jumpers over three days of international competition that saw the USA’s
2015
McLain Ward triumph in his first career individual medal. Andres
PAN AMERICAN GAMES
Rodriguez of Venezuela made history as the first from his country
to medal in show jumping, and Canada took Team Gold honors.
Team Canada
Gold Medalist
McLain Ward
High five from
Chef d’Équipe
Robert Ridland
Individual Gold Medalist
McLain Ward
The well-feared Mounted
Police vertical of planks
Thumbs up from Tiffany Foster
Team Canada
Andres Rodriguez &
Darlon van Groenhove
Patrick Nisbett
& Quick Z
USA’s Georgina Bloomberg
Georgina Bloomberg & Lilli
Andres Rodriguez &
Darlon van Groenhove
Team Bermuda discuss the
course
“Captain Canada” Ian Millar
Team USA win Bronze
Tiffany Foster
& Tripple X III
Laughs for
Team Mexico
Team Canada win Gold
USA’s Lauren
Hough & Captain
Mark Phillips
Canada’s Eric Lamaze &
Chef d’Équipe Mark Laskin
A member
of Team
Venezuela
Looking with disbelief
Big hugs from
Venezuela’s Andres Rodriguez
Eric Lamaze jogs
Coco Bongo ahead
of the Individual Final
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Jessica Springsteen
Chantilly, France · July 17th to 21st
Roger Yves Bost
Just outside of Paris in the shadow of the stunning Château Chantilly,
CHANTILLY
John Whitaker &
Lord of Arabia
the LGCT touched down for a highlight on its annual tour. Belgium’s
Gregory Wathelet took top honors in the LGCT Grand Prix of Chantilly
CSI5*, and Sunday’s competition saw a showdown between nextgeneration stars Constant van Paesschen and Bertram Allen.
Simone Delestre
The Château
Bertram Allen
Lauren Hough
& Missy Clark
Gregory Wathelet &
Conrad de Hus
Pilar Lucrecia Cordon
& Gribouille du Lys
Abdelkebir Ouaddar
Katie Prudent
Gudrun Pateet
Patrice Delaveau &
Carinjo HDC
Phillipe Rozier
Alexandra Crown
& Charley
Kara Chad
Eric Lamaze
Carlos
Lopez
Rölf-Goran
Bengtsson
Luca Maria Moneta
& Bonheur S
Sergio Alvarez Moya
Constant van Paesschen
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Jessica Springsteen
collects top honors
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Paris, France · July 3rd to 5th
Paris Sellon
Patrice Delaveau
Jan Tops
The city of lights welcomed show jumping’s best to the Champs
PARIS
du Mars on the first weekend of July. Ireland’s Bertram Allen picked
up a stunning win in the LGCT Grand Prix aboard Romanov, and
Ben Maher & Karim Elzoghby shared top honors on Sunday in a
rare tie for the finish.
Sans Souci
Oleksandr Onyshchenko
Carlos Lopez
John Whitaker
& Damien O’Halloran
Karim Elzoghby & Ben Maher
Marcus Ehning, Charlotte
Casiraghi, and friend
Celebrating
a clear round
Prizegiving
ceremonials
Keeping cool
Penelope
Leprevost
Katherine Dinan & Stakorado
Margie
Goldstein-Engle
& Eckham
van het Steentje
Bassem Hassan
Mohammed
Double checking
the course
Darragh Kenny &
JohnJoe Gallagher
The drum horse
Jane Clark
with Cella
Bertram Allen
Not your usual prizegiving attire
Bertram Allen,
Darragh Kenny &
Luciana Diniz
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Stabling with
Haras
Forge
de la
where
Modern Notions
French
Tradition
meet
by Erin Gilmore
I
n a country where riders and trainers tend to sequester themselves at their own,
small farms, Haras de la Forge stands out. On a rural road within steps of
a small café and a quiet village street outside of Deauville, France, a pair of
motorized, double security gates are an out-of-sorts, but an imposing first impression to the entrance of Haras de la Forge. And when the gates swing open to allow
entrance, the structures, the horses, and the riders that they contain most certainly
stand out, as well.
Haras de la Forge is an offshoot of Emmanuele and Armand Perron-Pette’s original
Haras des Coudrettes breeding farm – while the HDC emblem is widely known in
the show jumping world, some don’t realize that in 2012 Emmanuele and Armand
branched out from their first facility, and founded the Haras de la Forge training center.
It all adds up to an innovation in French show jumping. Both Haras des Coudrettes
and Haras de la Forge (and a third sister facility) are located in the storied Normandy
region of France. Very quickly, HDC became known by way of the impact that their
horses made on the world stage. The most recent example is their support of top
French riders and talented CSIO level horses that created several of the partnerships that helped France win Team Silver at the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games.
The success of that WEG team, which included HDC Riders Kevin Staut and Patrice
Delaveau, is the underlying theme that Haras de la Forge was built upon. The facility lies about 30 kilometers from Haras des Coudrettes, and the two farms couldn’t
be more different. Haras des Coudrettes is a quiet, traditionally constructed French
breeding farm, with high grass in the stallion paddocks and sweeping views of the
rolling hills of Normandy for one to take in.
In addition to the aforementioned entry gates, Haras de la Forge, on the other hand,
lies next to a commuter train track (in France, the trains are swift and silent, mind
you) and has all the signs of a busy operation; grooms dot about the barn with
brooms in hand, a horse is allowed to sun-dry post bath at the end of a lead line,
and famous faces such as Silvana HDC and Orient Express HDC peer out of their
spotless crossties and stall doors.
Three modern barns with steel sheeting and touches of the “colombage” style of
architecture common in the region are linked by an oversize breezeway and airy
indoor arena at Haras de la Forge. Each barn aisle houses the horses of one rider:
Staut, Delaveau and Franck Schillewaert all base their individual operations at the
facility, riding and working alongside each other on a daily basis. During the show
season, one or all of the riders are on the road in different parts of Europe, or circulating in and out of the facility. Haras de la Forge is very much a hub that pulses to
the beat of the sport.
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“There is real friendship among us –
which is at the origin of JumpFive.
We can be stronger and work as a
real team. We share the good times
and the bad times all together.”
“JumpFive”, a large logo announces on the side of a stor-
It may be a grand place, but Haras de la Forge is a much-need-
age building to the right of the entry gates. It’s the moniker
ed sanctuary of peace and quiet for Staut, the other riders and
that the riders operate under, a partnership created in 2012
their teams, who so often spend four to six days on the road
to nurture the five values of passion, excellence, achievement,
each week. The outdoor amenities, used almost year-round,
ethics and perseverance. Armand and Emmanuele Perron-
provide the space for twice as many riders to train – a grass
Pette spearheaded the partnership by inviting Staut, Dela-
grand prix field and large sand arena are favorite places to ride
veau and Schillewaert to work together under one roof.
during the summer months.
“All riders in the HDC team are of course top riders but they
also share tahe same values, the same approach to horses,”
The riders manage to be understated among the manicured
green space dotted with rose bushes and dramatic sculptures;
Emmanuele says. “There is real friendship among us which is
Staut wears a worn gardening hat and casual FreeJump sneak-
at the origin of Jumpfive. We can be stronger and work as
ers while schooling his horses at home. As the afternoon wanes
a real team. We share the good times and the bad times all
on, Staut brings his horse back to the barn, where grooms are
together.”
giving the aisleways one last check and sprinkling water on the
clean barn aisles as their final task of the day. Sunlight dips into
Her belief that three riders combining their skills and experi-
the large aisle as horses dive into their grain, and a quiet armi-
ence to work as a team at home, thus creating a stronger future
stice settles over the place. It’s difficult to put a finger on ex-
for French show jumping, is a very modern idea in this country.
actly where the excellence of this team begins, because in their
stables it is everywhere. One thing is sure though – standing
“Jumpfive allows these riders to work together under one roof
out is all part of the plan at Haras de la Forge.
while keeping their complete autonomy,” Emmanuele adds.
And the riders appreciate it. “It is very quiet here, a nice place
to be and to come back to,” says Staut. “When I am here, I can
concentrate on my horses, and everything I need is here.”
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In Scott
We
Trust
Scott Brash leads show jumping into a
Grand Slam era
S
cott Brash landed at Heathrow International on the
Monday evening following the Spruce Meadows
Masters in Calgary, Canada. He drove home to his
yard just outside Horsham, a property acquired from British
celebrity Katie Price in March of this year, had dinner with his
friends Shane Breen and Brian Cassidy, and woke up early
the following morning to ride Hello M’Lady in preparation for
that week’s show in Vienna, Austria.
One wouldn’t have known that the afternoon prior, he had
become a legend of show jumping by becoming the first
person to win the Rolex Grand Slam.
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But then again, it seems that raising the bar is all in a
kitchen counter. The house is almost weighed down by the num-
day’s work for Brash, and one can be sure that he takes his work
ber of trophies and awards, yet nothing is laid out to impress
very seriously.
his guests.
There are two sets of gates one has to go through to get
Brash barely seems jetlagged despite having just flown
to the new stables of the FEI-ranked World No. 1 show jump-
7,000 kilometers less than 24 hours ago. Laughing with the
ing rider. A long winding road amidst classic English-style fields
team, one would think he had just returned from holiday. Re-
guides you to a traditional redbrick house halfway up a small
marking that he felt a bit tired this morning, it didn’t stop him
hill. Overlooking a brand new white sand arena are a small col-
from riding his horses first thing and wasting no time to plan
lection of grass paddocks, a small stables of whitewashed brick
for the weekend’s event in Vienna. While the team sets up,
with less than half a dozen boxes and a wood framed indoor
Brash makes everyone tea, taking orders of milk and sugar be-
arena. The property is expansive, surrounded by fields at all
fore pointing to the buns, bacon and cookies on the kitchen
ends. Brash is bordered by space and he likes it that way.
counter that he bought for everyone, letting us know he’s hap-
Brash’s new dwellings are coincidently reflective of his per-
py to prepare lunch for everyone whenever we are hungry. The
sonality: humble, efficient, honest and unglamorous. It is clear
team looks up and then looks at me with a mix of surprise and
that everything is well taken care of and the property is im-
admiration, clearly taken aback by Brash’s charm and down-to-
pressive but the focus is first and foremost about the horses,
earth nature.
and nothing else. The house is still in the midst of being redeco-
rated by his girlfriend and head-groom Hana Colman. Be-
and humble, Brash was brought up on the values of hard
fore they moved in, many of the rooms fashioned leopard skin
work. His parents, who split up when he was young but main-
wallpaper and other animal skin patterns, not quite the style of
tained a positive partnership to bring up Brash and his older
the 29-year-old, down to earth Scotsman who was born in Ed-
sister Lea, supported their interest in horses, so long as they
inburgh. But in classic Brashy-style, the nickname given to him
worked for it.
The son of a builder whose beginnings were both tough
by his close friends, Scott has kept two rooms in their original
state for a good laugh; one a bright pink princess room, the
Drive Through the Night
other floor-to-ceiling rainforest green with giant frogs on the
Growing up, Brash mucked his own stalls, and when his father
walls. Both rooms were decorated for Price’s children and re-
Stan Brash saw that his son’s interest in horses was serious, he
flect the eccentric nature of the house’s previous owner.
built a small stable and indoor school at their home outside of
One could describe Brash in many ways, but eccentric
Edinburgh in Peebles, Scotland. The elder Brash would think
would not be one of them. It’s Tuesday morning and I’ve just
nothing of driving his children across the U.K. to weekend
arrived with the hair and makeup team as well as a stylist to
horse shows – so long as everyone was back for school on
begin work for our cover shoot. We all drive up and Brash is
Monday morning.
standing on the doorstep of his new house with a big smile on
his face. Congratulations are in order and after hugs and high
the lorry from Wales at nine o’clock on Sunday night; bear in
fives are exchanged, Scott welcomes the team inside. Brash and
mind it takes about eight hours to get home from Wales,”
Colman have done a great job with decorating and already
Brash remembers. “We’d drive through the night to get home
the house is more reflective of the genuine nature of our cover
and no matter what time we got back, Dad would always say
model.
we had to be at school on Monday morning, and he’d always
be at work on Monday morning.”
Trophies, awards and photos of Brash’s numerous accom-
“There were numerous times where we’d be loading up
plishments are spread throughout the house in no particu-
lar order. You can tell that these accolades are highly valued
a good, strong foundation for a levelheaded young man to
by Scott and yet you can also tell he hasn’t spent too much time
obtain a sense of responsibility and determination. He was a
dwelling on them either. His 2013 European Champion-
young man with an unnatural amount of talent, sure, but it
ship is medal beautifully framed but casually placed on the
was his upbringing that nurtured his deep patience and ice-
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Brash is well aware that a childhood such as this was
“We’d drive through
the night to get home
and no matter what
time we got back, Dad
would always say we
had to be at school on
Monday morning, and
he’d always be at work
on Monday morning.”
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For Brash, that first phone call from Lord Harris
was a monumental catalyst, and marked the exact
moment when his life really began to change.
noëllefloyd.com69
cold nerves. Scott is close with his father today; Stan traveled to
10 boxes, collect off the stallions because it was a big breed-
cially in what I call ring craft. His ring craft is fantastic. For ex-
for not doing the Europeans,” Brash continues. “We put the
Calgary to watch in person as the world focused on his son’s
ing yard, then I would drive the truck to the show,” Brash re-
ample if there’s an oxer a steady five strides to a vertical, and I
horse’s interests first, and I always would do that. Even if that
quest for the Rolex Grand Slam, and it is largely due to the
counts. “The other truck would come to the show and I would
run him up to the oxer and even just tense my stomach or do
meant falling out with everyone I would always do what’s right
hardworking Scotsman with a strong sense of dedication to his
jump like 15 horses, and then come home and do the same thing
something to support him slightly, he knows it’s going to be
for my horses, no matter what. I’ve always tried to do the talk-
children and a generous amount of perspective and resource-
the next day.
short and he’ll land into the distance and sit and wait straight-
ing inside the ring and not outside it.”
fulness, that helped create a perfect storm that is the stuff of
away. He’s very clever. That’s the partnership, we’re very in tune.
champions. All that was needed was a perfect catalyst…
because there were loads of horses, and you got to get inside
of each horse’s mind and ride a lot of different types of horses.
Following a successful fall campaign in North America in
“It was good, there were a lot of fantastic opportunities
“…if there’s an oxer a steady five
2011, Brash received a call from a man he knew by name, but
That was good for my riding.“
not by face. Lord Harris is known for his tremendous financial
success outside the sport of show jumping and his passion
still remembers his first trip overseas, when he drove alone with
and support within the sport. Along with his wife, Lady Pauline
three horses to a show in Portugal. Other than jumping out of
Harris, and their friends and Lord and Lady Kirkham, he wished
the truck at every toll crossing to run around back and check
to acquire a horse with the potential to represent Great Britain
on his horses, the trip was uneventful, and thus began his drives
at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
across the continent in horse vans, trips that still continue en
force today.
support him slightly, he knows it’s
with a young Hello Sanctos, their ascent to earn a spot on the
A Partnership in Tune
going to be short and he’ll land
Olympic team which then won a historic Olympic gold medal
The patience in Brash’s personality is tangible, and vital to his
for Great Britain, along with teammates Ben Maher, Nick Skel-
partnership with Hello Sanctos, a coming 14-year-old bay warm-
ton and Peter Charles.
blood gelding that is Belgian bred (Quasimodo x Nabab de
What happened next has been documented in every eques-
At 19, Brash went off to make his own name as a rider, and
trian publication around the world; Brash’s fledgling partnership
strides to a vertical, and I run him
up to the oxer and even just tense
my stomach or do something to
into the distance and sit and wait
straightaway.”
Brash is looking forward to doing more talking inside the
ring with Sanctos in 2016. The horse that lacked some scope
when Brash found him will now very likely represent Great Britain as the anchor at the Rio Olympics next year in Brazil.
World Number One
After an afternoon of laughing, joking around and walking
from one side of the property to the other, we can wrap the
shoot. It took a little longer than expected because of frequent stops to exchange stories, laugh at jokes and introduce
the horses. Brash is a wonderful host and it is clear that the whole
team that arrived from London to assist in the shoot, not a one
of them a horse person, leave the yard more knowledgeable
in the sport of show jumping and greater fans of it thanks to
the charm and wit of its reigning World No. 1 rider.
No one is more blown away by the feat of what he has ac-
For Brash, that first phone call from Lord Harris was a mon-
Reve). At the beginning, Brash had his doubts on whether the
umental catalyst, and marked the exact moment when his life
horse would develop the scope to jump the Olympics. But when
really began to change.
he made a hasty trip to go try Sanctos in Germany, he still
Brash caught the attention of the Harris’ in part because
gave Lord Harris the green light to purchase the horse. Even
and understanding what’s best for them. You have to get into
the last one,” he says modestly.” For sure you’re going to get
of his success with two horses that he had worked to develop
though, from Brash’s perspective, it meant taking a chance on
your horse’s brains and know what their qualities are and how
a couple of bad years, but so far in that sense I’ve been very
for over five years: Intertoy Z and Bon Ami. Intertoy Z took Brash
them both.
they should be ridden.”
lucky.”
to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010 in Lexing-
ton, Kentucky and Bon Ami helped him win a number of top
the corner on the wrong leg and you nearly have to let him do
the horse first no matter what, that dictated Brash’s choice
his father raised. As we pack up the photo shoot, say goodbye
level classes, including the World Cup Qualifier at the 2011 Royal
what he’s comfortable doing, but at the same time there has
to withdraw from the FEI European Championships this Au-
to the hair and makeup team, the stylist, the photo assistant
Winter Fair.
to be some sort of discipline there,” Brash says of his Rolex
gust. That decision drew criticism from some riders, his Olym-
and the camera equipment team, Brash laughs with me as he
“Sanctos wouldn’t be everyone’s ride. He can run round
complished, than Brash. Not only in what he’s accomplished this
month, but this year and the three before that.
“Part of being a horseman is understanding your horse
It’s that sense of understanding your horse, and putting
“I’ve been very lucky that each year has been better than
But Brash will not rest on his laurels. This is not the man
Grand Slam partner. “When I first got him, he would run at the
pic teammate Peter Charles included, who disparaged Brash
looks out the window from his kitchen, rinsing the dishes from
Ring Time
jump a little bit like five strides up and run you deep, and stall
openly in the media for keeping Hello Sanctos out of the run-
all the guests of the day, the European Championship gold
By 2010 it was all but certain that Brash possessed the kind of
and take off. That has improved over the years, that has gotten
ning for the European Championships in order to keep the
medal on the sill, framed and awaiting its place on the wall.
world-class talent to get to the top of the sport. But if you
a lot more consistent. He’s not actually got enormous scope
horse fresh for the chance to win the Rolex Grand Slam at the
wind the clock back ten years, you would have found a young
and when I tried him that was my only question mark, did he
Masters Tournament at Spruce Meadows.
is picking up and the horses are being tucked away for the eve-
boy of 16 who had just left school, and was working in his fa-
have the scope or not.”
“People say things like you’re turning your back on the coun-
ning. An introspective expression falls over his face and Brash
ther’s business in order to learn a trade to fall back on. He was
So what is it about Hello Sanctos that makes the difference?
try, and it really was not about that,” Brash says. “We won a gold
steps back, as if perhaps the reality of the last few days has
working construction when an opportunity came up to work
What is it about Sanctos that stands this horse alongside greats
medal in the Olympics, we won a gold medal at the (2013)
sunken in a little deeper now. He looks at me, serious but with
with Paul Barker, a national rider in Scotland. After a year he
such as Hickstead and Milton?
Europeans, we’ve jumped on numerous Nations Cups. Sanc-
a hint of a smile.
moved to the same region he’s in now, outside of London, and
tos has for sure done his part for the country and I’m sure will
worked for Cyril White at Brendan Stud.
to do it, he wants to jump. You can tell that he loves his life now.
continue to do his part.
He’s a very happy horse and he’s a very sure horse, and espe-
“I would get up at half four in the morning, muck out about
70noëllefloyd.com
“It’s his brain,” Brash says without hesitation. “He wants
He pauses a moment, admiring the view outside. The wind
“I’ve really got to cut the lawn you know.”
“So it was a bit disappointing to get the stick that we got
noëllefloyd.com71
Last Words
Southfields: On 3.7 acr es and a shor t hack to either WEF or
GDF, this property is spectacular. With 4 large bedrooms, 5.5 baths,
and a gourmet kitchen - this home is move-in ready. The grounds
include a large outdoor living area, pool, sand arena, and paddocks.
There’s also an 11-stall center aisle barn, and a separate, but nearby
2 bedroom grooms’ apartment. Offered at $6,450,000
Palm Beach Polo ∙ Kensington: Volume ceilings thr oughout the
house and tons of windows allow natural light to flow through the
home and it’s 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. Adorned with amazing
chandeliers and a gorgeous double-sided coral fireplace, there are
superb touches throughout. The property has gorgeously landscaped
grounds and two large covered patios. Offered at $3,450,000
Palm Beach Polo ∙ Winding Oaks: This lovely 5 bed, 4 bath home
is perfect for the family that loves to entertain. The house includes an
open kitchen (with a 6-burner gas cooktop), formal dining and living
rooms, and an office. The spacious outdoor living area includes a
summer kitchen that overlooks the pool with spa, and boasts superb
views of the lake and golf course. Offered at $2,250,000
Palm Beach Polo ∙ Las Casitas: Light, br ight, and exper tly decorated, this 3 bed, 2 bath home is offered fully furnished. As an end
unit, this villa has one of the largest backyards in the neighborhood
that includes an awesome salt-water pool, great outdoor sitting areas,
and beautiful landscaping, so that you’ll be able to enjoy South Florida living in your private backyard retreat. Offered at $750,000
Palm Beach Polo ∙ Las Casitas: With thr ee bedr ooms, two bathrooms, and an open floor plan, this charming home is offered furnished. Beautiful wood floors flow throughout the main living areas,
with carpet in the bedrooms. The kitchen is well-appointed with all
of the tools and toys for the chef in the family. The private backyard
enjoys a great pool and outdoor living spaces. Offered at $735,000
Palm Beach Polo ∙ Golf & Tennis Village: Fully r enovated with
two bedrooms and two bathrooms, this bungalow is an absolute must
see. Gorgeous French doors leading out to the screened-in porch with
lake views accentuate the open and airy floor plan. With vaulted ceilings, this home is a true showpiece with a modern design, furniture,
and concrete floors. Offered at $675,000
Amy Carr • Phone +1 561-662-0728 • Fax +1 561-791-2221
www.amycarr.evusa.com • Wellington, Florida • [email protected]
72noëllefloyd.com
©2015 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Carr Sollak Realty, LLC licensee of Engel & Voelkers Florida Residential, LLC. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and
should be independently verified. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.
FLOYD CONSULTANTS
www.noellefloyd.com

Noelle Floyd Magazine

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