Coach has the golden touch

Equestrianism: World champ Canter credits Bartle with creating GB revival

New eventing world champion Ros Canter has hailed the Midas touch of Great Britain performance coach Chris Bartle following a stunning double gold medal success.

Just three years after competing in her first elite four-star event, Canter has conquered the eventing world.

The 32-year-old, from Louth in Lincolnshire, anchored Britain’s team title triumph at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina – their first since 2010.

And she also ended a 12-year wait for British glory in the individual competition, emulating Zara Tindall’s achievement in 2006.

Yorkshireman Bartle masterminded Germany’s domination of the sport during a medal-laden reign that included two Olympic crowns and a world title.

He took up the British reins early last year, but has now followed a 2017 European Championship victory with world gold and automatic qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

And Canter’s emergence on the brilliant 13-yearold gelding Allstar B has coincided with Bartle reshaping British fortunes.

“When Chris came along I was just struggling to hold Allstar B on the crosscountry and I was getting thrown around a little bit all the time,” Canter said.

“He has just tweaked my body position, really, and given me the confidence to just go out and go for it.

“It sounds a little bit odd being world champion, but I will take it!

“Deep down, I possibly have thought I could do it, but I am not a big outgoing person. I have had confidence issues in the past, and they have often let me down on big occasions.

“But the last few years I have really learnt how to cope with that and have belief in my own quiet way.

“I am never going to be the type of person that shouts from the roof-tops, but there is an underlying confidence now and that really helps.

“I try not to think about the pressure. Over the years, you get better and better at stuff like that, and I have got a lot better at compartmentalising.

“I have a fantastic life at home. My parents are so supportive and I have also got a great boyfriend who keeps me very level-headed.

“He works for a fantastic charity, and his life is most of the time more important than what I do and it keeps me very level-headed..”

Canter’s effortless showjumping clear round in Tryon meant team gold for herself, Gemma Tattersall, Tom McEwen and Piggy French, while individual honours were secured when German Ingrid Klimke – leader after cross-country – had the final fence down.

“Allstar B has the most tremendous personality,” Canter added.

“He seems to rise to the occasion without ever getting excited about the occasion, and he is just 100 per cent steady.

“He is very tolerant of what I ask him, and he is just 100 per cent steady and a phenomenal jumper at the same time.”