Hello all friendly followers and Happy Easter to you all, firstly hope everyone is safe and well during this enforced box rest, hope you are all just about coping and haven’t gone bananas yet?!

In the perfectly succinct words of Nick Skelton “Lives are more important than sport” (Horse & Hound, 9th April 2020) They really are. So any sorrow to be sitting at home this weekend is quickly banished from my mind.

To aid my own sanity on this box rest, I have been thinking of ways to pass the time and use this time productively. The garden is weeded, the fence painted, the washing all finally ironed and put away. Those housework jobs that frankly weren’t going to be touched till the end of the season have all been completed, so what’s next? Well with this box rest looking likely to continue for a while yet, my mind has begun to wonder…

Now we all have our favourites, our top horse. But me, well firstly in the interests of fairness, could I whittle that down to one horse??! And secondly the lovely and super talented Sophie Embling came to the rescue and started off a Facebook post detailing her Top 10 - brilliant I thought I don’t have to pick one (but hey we all know who that would be?!) but I can pick pick my 10 favourites.

Well some few hours later and instead of 10, I had 29 on my ‘shortlist’ - the greats of the sport, some that pull on the heartstrings and some that will just always hold a special place in my heart.

I have been incredibly lucky (as I often ramble about here on the blog) to now be able to follow my passion of photography but also to have done a large amount of volunteering for British Eventing. This fabulous front-row seat up close to all the action means you often spot a young horse and can then follow its progression up through the ranks - the majority of the ‘big names’ below have been watched with interest during their early careers. Volunteering is great fun and is usually rewarded with lots of cake so it’s definitely worth a try!

When reading the list below, you will notice a theme, one that could be used to create the ultimate Eventer - powerful, quirky, enthusiastic and brave when going XC, whilst being in true harmony with their human partner. I am a big lover of this great sport and have been lucky enough to watch many who fit the aforementioned description.

In Alphabetical order, my Ultimate Top 10 (to try and eliminate the obvious favouritism):

Allstar B

Well what better place to start that the current World Champion himself - the gorgeous Alby. What a legend this boy is!

For me Eventing will always be about the ultimate partnership between horse and rider, and for me Ros and Allstar B have that nailed! It shouldn’t work, a gigantic horse and a pint-sized rider, but it really does work. They are as one and along with supergroom Sarah Charnley make up one of the most exciting GB partnerships on the circuit.

Ros Canter & Allstar B, 5th Place, CCI5*L Badminton Horse Trials, May 2017

The love affair with Alby started some time ago, way before he became the British Hero that he is now. Always a cross country supremo, this boy has had very few faults and is now becoming a deserved regular fixture on Team GB squads.

I was very lucky to head out to Strzegom, Poland for the FEI European Championships in 2017 as a fence judge (what a privilege!) and I got front row seats to cheer this boy all the way to his debut Team GB Gold medal. He’s jumped around Badminton and Burghley and off course is now a firm favourite for Team GB selection to the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 happening in 2021. (I know for trademarks and merchandised etc they needed to keep the full 2020 name, but really that’s going to be confusing next year right?!)

Armada

A cross country machine (you will see a theme here..) the enthusiasm Armada had for hunting down the next set of flags was legendary. Not usually a fan of chestnuts, this legend quickly stole my heart and was a form favourite to follow.

I shall forever be grateful to the great Armada (and the kind American who let me in front of him) for his wonderful leap over the boat under the Lion Bridge at Burghley 2015. This photo turned out rather well and has subsequently opened so many doors for me. It won Horse & Hounds Eventing Photography competition the following Spring and gave me the taste of press photographer life, fulfilling a dream and making a pony-mad girl so very happy.

Oliver Townend & Armada, Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, September 2015

Avebury

Known as one of the greatest event horses of all time, the majestic grey, known as Buddy, holds a special place in most eventing fans heart’s.

His sporting achievements are widely known - the three time winner of Land Rover Burghley and he was crowned ‘King of Barbury’ after winning the now CCI4* class there a record four times.

Bred by his Eventing partner Andrew Nicholson, by Jumbo, the path to Eventing stardom was a little rocky. Sold as a showjumper, only to be bought back as an Eventer by Andrew’s wife Wiggy. Later being snaffled by Andrew for long time supporter Rosemary Barlow.

The pair went on to form one of the greatest partnerships the sport has seen. Winning 27 of their 71 events, an impressive win rate of 38% - a strike rate many, if any, can match.

Andrew Nicholson & Avebury, Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, September 2014

This quirky grey was a firm fan favourite and drew crowds of adoring fans, not least myself. I was lucky enough to have witnessed this great pair in the flesh at many events, described perfectly by his owner Rosemary as ‘a horse of a lifetime’ - he was certainly one of mine!

Ballaghmor Class

This gorgeous grey is a member of the exclusive five completions at five star club. And to top that, all of those runs have been in the top 5. That is quite some feat for the son of Courage II who is still only 13 years old.

Shooting to stardom back at Land Rover Burghley in 2017, when making his winning debut at the level. Thomas as he is known at home, has earned high praise from his World Number One rider; “I think he’s probably one of the best horses I’ve ever had or had for a very long time anyway.”

Not one without his quirks, as most of the greats seem to possess, Thomas has been known to floor everyone at home, a sharp character, a trait which only seems to make him an even better cross country machine.

The partnership between Oliver and Ballaghmor Class is a solid one, plays a favourite of mine to follow at an event, they will never be too far from the top of the leaderboard.

Oliver Townend & Ballaghmor Class, Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, September 2019

Cillnabradden Evo

This six time International winner, currently holds the lowest dressage score record at Badminton, having broken the 19 year old record there last Spring.

This horse has taken me from the Highlands of Scotland to the foothills of the Pyrenees in Southern France. I’d literally follow this horse off a cliff. Why I hear you ask? For me, he has it all; the epitome of the Black Beauty fairytale image of a striking black gelding, the talent, the temperament and the total love of the game.

A multiple four star winner (Burnham Market, Blair, Festival of BE & Baborowko), this boy proved the faith that his owner and current rider have in him, by completing Badminton last Spring. In doing so, he set a new dressage record of 19.7.

Oliver Townend & Cillnabradden Evo, Badminton Horse Trials, May 2019

Whilst other fellow photographers picked their jaws up off the floor, I was surprisingly the only one who appeared to have been expecting that performance. I had, after all, stood in a damp blustery Shropshire field, watching him deliver a dressage performance worthy of an 18.9 score a couple of weeks previously at Weston Park 1.

An enigma of a horse, with his own opinions, he is another to optimise the quirky, cross country machine. Known for his speed and success at CCI4*S, Gary as he is known at home, single-handedly won Oliver the inaugural Event Rider Masters series back in 2016, with wins at Blair and Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe.

Andrew Nicholson & Cillnabradden Evo, Festival of British Eventing, Gatcombe, August 2014

This horse has made so many dreams come true, thank you Gary. And a special mention for his wonderful owner Sally Anne, a big supporter of mine along with her husband Andrew - I shall be forever grateful for the support they have shown me.

With so many great horses, it is almost impossible to have a favourite, but this boy is, without hesitation, my favourite.

Cooley Rorkes Drift

A true performer, who excelled on the biggest stage at the Rio Olympics, Art as he is affectionally know is a fantastic horse, winning Belton CCI4*S in 2018.

But I write this as a fan and as (I’m sure there are many of you) part owner (half a tail hair) - when the call to arms came in the run up to the Europeans in early 2017, I too like so many stepped up and became a member of Art’s family, contributing in small part to the crowd funding campaign for Jonty to buy and keep him.

I can remember watching the live stream from Tatts and watching Jonty and Art have the round of their lives until, the fall.

Few people truly inspire me, but I would say without doubt Jonty did in his recovery. He fought a long battle to come back after what felt like an age in a coma. And I would also say Art did too. I was lucky enough to be at the final Belton last Spring, to watch Jonty and Art do a demo in the main arena.

Jonty Evans & Cooley Rorkes Drift, Main Arena, Belton Horse Trials, March 2019

To witness, the fiery Art, surrounded by a busy competition venue and all the atmosphere that brings, take the greatest care of Jonty. He was so gentle, so proud to be carrying his parter once more on the completion field. They say horses have an amazing sense, watching Art be so careful with his partner on board, I truly understood how much a horse can sense and take in. He showed so much care and compassion for his partner. I shall forever be thankful to say, I was there.

Jonty Evans & Cooley Rorkes Drift, Belton Horse Trials, March 2019

La Biosthetique Sam FBW

Much has already been written in praise of the mega successful Sam and rightly so.

The four time, 5 star winner, was a double Olympic Champion, winning both at London and Rio during his career.

Michael Jung & La Biosthetique Sam FBW, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, May 2016

I have been lucky enough to see super Sam in the flesh at Badminton a couple of times and I think what makes him great (excuse the controversy here a moment) is that whilst he is a rather plain bay gelding (sorry) - when he unites with his best friend Michael, they form the most formidable of opponents. They perform as one. They think as one. The aids are subtle. The instructions almost invisible. The partnership developed such consistency, that they were regular stalwarts of the German team. You could not be impressed and moved whilst watching them deliver their expected top class performances.

Nereo

The evergreen Nereo has to be one of my all-time Horse heroes. With wins at Bramham, Pau, Aachen, Barbury and the Team Bronze medal at London 2012, along with holding the runner up spot at Burghley 3 times. But he, for me, will all be remembered as delivering the arguably career best performance yet winning Badminton in 2017 at the age of 16.

This was astonishingly Andrew’s first Badminton title at the legendary Gloucestershire venue.

The 2017 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Champions: Andrew Nicholson & Nereo

Again, another horse to be often described as a cross country machine, Nereo was Armada’s full brother and they both sailed around some of the toughest cross country tracks around the globe. Andrew described him after cross country during the 2017 Badminton Horse Trials as “A very big, powerful horse”. This special victory shall long live in the memory.

Opposition Buzz

The gorgeous ‘Dodi’ as he was affectionately known, was always at the head of the charge for the British Team.

Dodi’s job as pathfinder for four British teams was a successful one. Two Team Golds, a Team Silver and a Team Bronze were bought home thanks in some part to his effortless speedy navigation of some tough cross country tracks. Opposition Buzz, a son of Fleetwater Opposition, was loved for his fast cross country jumping style and his evergreen consistency.

We all watched, myself included, with a tinge of jealousy, as Dodi would put the biggest smile on Nicola’s face - what it must have felt like to ride a round on him. Sure footed and speed to match, what a Buzz he must have gave.

Another to hold the fictional title of Black Beauty, he was a striking individual, who sadly only got a few weeks retirement before sadly passing away in 2014.

Nicola Wilson & Opposition Buzz, Festival of British Eventing, August 2014

Vendredi Biats

The horse with one of the meanest bucks on the circuit apparently, who was apparently dismissed by his first rider and how super grateful I am that he was.

The striking Selle Francais gelding is one that I have watched with interest throughout his young career. Forging a strong partnership with his rider Kitty King.

Kitty and ‘Froggy’, as he is affectionately known, have struck up an amazing partnership that has taken them all the way to the FEI European Championships last summer. The solid partnership came home with the ‘Best Brit’ tag and finished in 7th place individually.

Kitty King & Vendredi Biats, FEI European Championships, Luhmuhlen, September 2019

And what is so exciting is that they have only just hit the highest level, fingers crossed there is still so much more to come from this partnership!

Winners of Bramham CCI4*L and Burgham CCI4*S last summer, along with several top National placings, this exciting combination for the future surely have more wins and team places within their reach.

Kitty King & Vendredi Biais, Equi Trek Bramham International Horse Trials, June 2019

So there is my Top 10 and to be honest I could have filled a Top 15 or Top 20 list. We are blessed with some extraordinary horses currently and that’s before you start trawling the archives for the heroes of past championship teams.

For me, the ultimate partnership combined with abundant talent, a few quirks and a lot of spirit will always be the recipe for a top Event horse in my world.

My Top 20 would have also included: Mr Bass, London 52, Vanir Kamira, Zenshera, Cristal Fontaine, Borough PennyZ, Classic Moet, Swallow Springs, SAP Hale Bob, Qing du Briot EHE HN

Who is on your Top 10 list? Yes, it takes some thinking about, but hey with the abundance of box rest time we all have at the moment, pop the kettle on, sit down and have a few minutes to scribble down your Top 10, I’d love to hear what your list would be.

Stay safe everyone

Diary of a fledgling ‘tog:

Featured posts:

The Results are in! My Ultimate Top 10