Historic trophies Tales from some of the most iconic accolades
Jennifer Donald and Alex Robinson tell the tales behind a number of equestrianism’s most iconic accolades
THE world-famous Royal International (RIHS) has been the scene of epic battles for jumping team glory, fierce jump-offs and intense rivalries for championship honours in the show ring. These sporting battles are exactly what has kept us gripped during the show’s 110-year history.
However, the stories behind some of the show’s historic silverware are almost as impressive as the action. In the run-up to this year’s Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Great Britain at the BHS Royal International Horse Show, we take a look at some of the best.
KING GEORGE V GOLD CUP
STORY BEHIND THE TROPHY: if you spot a cluster of heavies at Hickstead on Friday, this is in all likelihood the security team hired to guard the irreplaceable and supremely valuable King George V Gold Cup, presented to the winner of the grand prix. The solid gold trophy was commissioned in 1911 by the monarch himself, who was the show’s patron, and depicts the legend of St George and the dragon — also seen in Hickstead’s official logo.
In 1939, the trophy was won by Italian rider Conte Alessandro Bettoni-Cazzago and remained in Italy during the Second World War as Conte was so concerned about the welfare of the trophy that he had it buried in the grounds of his villa. Fortunately, after the war, the cup was dug up and returned in immaculate condition to its owner, the British Horse Society, and has remained in this country ever since.
The cup is now kept under lock and key in London when not on “official duty” at the show, although even there its safety is by no means guaranteed, as in 2016 Irishman Billy Twomey dropped the £250,000 trophy during his prize-giving ceremony.
PAST WINNERS: the first rider to have his name etched on the trophy was Russian Dimitri d’Exe riding Piccolo and it wasn’t until 1921 that a British pilot, Geoffrey Brooke, laid claim to it. The class has been held at Hickstead since 1992 and in 2008 the traditionally male-only competition was opened up to female riders. Beezie Madden was the first woman to lift the trophy, in 2014 — and she promptly repeated the feat the following year as well.
Among the names to have claimed the solid gold trophy are Harry Llewelyn and Foxhunter, who made it a hat-trick of wins in 1953 (after victories in 1948 and 1950), and Piero d’Inzeo of Italy who rode a treble between 1957 and 1962. David Broome won the class an astounding six times over a 31-year period, and Nick Skelton lifted the trophy four times.
CONTENDERS FOR 2018: with €150,000 (£132,500) in prize money up for grabs, this class always attracts a star-studded field. Three-time winner John Whitaker returns alongside brother Michael, himself a four-time victor — although none of his victories have been since 1994. The last British winner was Ben Maher in 2013 with Tripple X III — he’ll be back bidding for home glory along with Guy Williams, William Whitaker, Robert Whitaker and Nigel Coupe. World number one Harrie Smolders of the Netherlands, plus USA’s Laura Kraut and Belgium rider Gregory Wathelet represent a strong international contingent.
WHERE AND WHEN: the Longines BHS King George V Gold Cup kicks off in the International Arena at a newly scheduled slot on Friday, 27 July at 2.15pm.
THE INDIAN TRAIL TROPHY
STORY BEHIND THE TROPHY: Hickstead and British Skewbald and Piebald Association (BSPA) patron Georgina Andrews donated the iconic trophy, awarded to the supreme ridden coloured, in 2002, after the inception of the ridden coloured classes in memory of her late horse, Indian Trail. One of the most influential ridden coloureds of his day, Indian Trail was the first horse in the BSPA’s history to win three national supreme titles on the trot.
“The BSPA’s classes were heavily supported by the late Roger Stack [showing director] since their birth in 2002,” says BSPA chairman Lynda Lodge. “They began with two separate horse and pony classes. These then developed and were split into respective hairy and plaited sections. Roger had a wonderful vision of where these classes were going, and after being narrowed down even more, they were eventually assigned their own final day [Tuesday]. Supported by Team Colosso and Mrs Candy, this year we have our largest ever entry.”
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Oliver Hood and Lisha Leeman’s Kellythorpes Master Key.
WHERE AND WHEN: Equi-Trek ring five and Roger Stack Arena (classes 111–117, followed by championships 117–122), on Tuesday, 24 July.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II CUP
STORY BEHIND THE TROPHY: the then Princess Elizabeth, granddaughter of King George V, first presented this famous cup in 1949. This class was originally the female equivalent of the King George and was open only to lady riders until 2007. The Queen is now official patron of the show. The Cindy Mead Memorial Trophy is presented to the highest-placed rider under 25 in this class.
PAST WINNERS: for nearly 60 years, the Queen’s Cup was won by many of the world’s leading lady riders, including Pat Smythe, Marion Coakes (later Mould), Ann Moore, Liz Edgar, Tina Fletcher and Di Lampard. In 2008, the rules were changed so that both sexes could compete for both the King George and Queen’s Cup, and the latter became a championship for the leading national riders. Ireland’s Shane Breen (Carmena Z) immediately notched up a win but female riders have held their own since and the current title holder is Harriet Nuttall.
CONTENDERS FOR 2018: among those chasing the £4,000 first prize will be leading home riders Tracy Priest, Helen Tredwell and Holly Smith, plus Ireland’s Shane Breen.
WHERE AND WHEN: the BHS Queen Elizabeth II Cup is at 2.05pm in the International Arena on Saturday, 28 July.
THE WINSTON CHURCHILL CUP
STORY BEHIND THE TROPHY: it is unknown where this historic trophy, honoring Winston Churchill and presented to the British Horse Society (BHS) ridden horse supreme champion, originates. However, Hickstead director Lizzie Bunn notes that the first recorded presentation of silverware was by a Mr E Holland-Martin in 1978 to the supreme, Mrs P White’s Kemplay.
“It has long been in existence,” says Lizzie, “being presented before the show arrived at Hickstead in 1992. It is one of the more valuable cups we have and has to be locked up during the year.”
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Diamonds Are Forever and Allister Hood (Saracen Horse Feeds riding horse champions).
WHERE AND WHEN: the ridden horse supreme will take place in the International Arena on Sunday, 29 July at 12.35pm.
THE EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES CUP
STORY BEHIND THE TROPHY: another regal trophy, awarded to the winning team in the FEI Nations Cup of Great Britain. A team competition has been part of the Royal International since 1929. The Edward, Prince of Wales Cup is displayed at Saddlers Hall in London during the off-season, as are all of Hickstead’s famous trophies.
PAST WINNERS: Great Britain won the inaugural competition and have since proved difficult to beat on home soil. Between 1970 and 1980, Team GB won nine times, beaten both times by a fearsome team from West Germany. However, in the modern era of the sport, victory hasn’t been quite so easy and Great Britain’s last win at Hickstead came in 2010.
CONTENDERS FOR 2018: Great Britain fields a red hot squad in William Funnell (Billy Buckingham), William Whitaker (Utamaro D'Ecaussines), Holly Smith (Hearts Destiny), Scott Brash (Hello Shelby) and Amanda Derbyshire (Luibanta BH) for one of five vital point-scoring rounds in their bid to reach the Nations Cup final in Barcelona in October. With €250,000 to play for, countries will be sure to send their leading riders for the penultimate leg of the tournament, with the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Ireland and Belgium the key players on a point-scoring mission.
WHERE AND WHEN: the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Great Britain moves to its new slot this year; you can watch all the action in the International Arena on Sunday, 29 July at 2.15pm.
THE DICK SAUNDERS TROPHY
STORY BEHIND THE TROPHY: first introduced at the show in 2002, the de la Hey Family supreme ridden pony championship (formerly the Underwood/Dick Saunders) remains one of the most prestigious titles on the circuit. Prior to 2002 the pony champions competed against the horses for the BHS supreme ridden title. Two ponies successfully lifted the overall supreme title in the mixed supreme, namely Royal Bronze in 1993 and Trelawn Playboy in 2001.
The trophy is presented in memory of Hickstead’s late showing director Dick Saunders, who passed away in 2002. Dick’s memory was chosen to be assigned to the pony title, as in 1947 he won the 14.2hh show pony class at the RIHS on a pony called Cottage Girl.
“It used to be that the sole pony champions — the show pony — competed against the horses for the Winston Churchill Cup,” says Lizzie. “But as we have expanded and developed the pony classes, it was decided that they were worthy of their own championship, and that putting Dick’s name to it would be a fitting tribute.”
LAST YEAR’S WINNER: Seamoor Lady Derby and James Burchell (British Show Pony Society mini show pony champions)
WHERE AND WHEN: the de la Hay Family supreme ridden pony championship will take place in the International Arena at 1pm on Sunday, 29 July.
This year’s Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Great Britain at the BHS Royal International Horse Show takes place from 25-29 July at the All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, West Sussex. Visit hickstead.co.uk for further information and tickets.