The big debate

Nick Skelton’s recent H&H column has created discussion across the country. Jennifer Donald investigates the response

How the showjumping world responded to Nick Skelton’s recent H&H comment

NEVER has a comment in H&H sparked such an impassioned response or inspired such feverish debate as Nick Skelton’s opinion piece (“It’s time to throw away the rulebook”, 14 May).

Whether people were nodding sagely in agreement with his proposals for British showjumping or wished to tear up their copy of the magazine in disgust, as showjumper Jay Halim shrewdly observes, “How lucky are we to have so many people who care so passionately about our sport?”

It’s impossible to please everyone in such a diverse sport where both leisure riders and Olympic medallists need to be catered for, so it’s no surprise that so many are calling out for change. To reflect just some of the many opinions, we spoke to a cross-section of people involved in the industry to hear their views about what’s working for them and what isn’t, and where the sport might go from here.

Do let us know your thoughts, too, at hhletters@ti-media.com