Prime new horses for British showjumper Harry Charles

British showjumper Harry Charles made his aggressive debut with new experience Balou Du Reventon, one of the crucial profitable horses on the earth, in Spain on Thursday (12 January).

The 23-year-old rider has taken the reins on Ann Thompson’s 17-year-old famous person stallion, who was beforehand ridden by USA’s Brian Moggre and Darragh Kenny of Eire.

“He’s the proper horse all spherical,” Harry instructed H&H. “Generally getting within the ring after being at house is a bit completely different, however hopefully in a few rounds we ought to be good to go.

“He’s been out of competitors because the World Championships in August, so he’s had an extended, lengthy break. So these rounds are about attending to know him. He feels wonderful – he positively doesn’t really feel his age.”

The German-bred son of Cornet Obolensky was produced to the highest stage by Russian rider Liubov Kochetova, and Darragh Kenny took over from Jorge Matte Capdevila when Ann Thompson purchased the rising star in 2018. Darragh and Balou have been a part of Eire’s profitable group on the Nations Cup Closing in Barcelona and competed on the 2019 European championships, including a string of five-star grand prix wins and placings of their two years collectively.

Ann Thompson introduced the formal dissolution of her partnership with the Irish showjumper in 2020 and Harry Charles was at the moment the recipient of the good Romeo 88 whereas Balou Du Reventon moved to younger US rider Brian Moggre at first of 2021, shortly resuming his profitable methods. The pair jumped on Nations Cup groups and Balou, who has no entrance tooth, was final seen representing USA on the 2022 World Showjumping Championships in Herning with Brian.

The stallion has since joined Harry’s string to run alongside Ann’s different horses together with Harry’s Tokyo Olympic and World Championship bronze medal-winning accomplice Romeo 88 and Aralyn Blue, plus one other tremendously thrilling new experience for Harry, I’m Particular V, one other former experience of Brian Moggre with whom Harry made an eye catching debut within the ring at St Tropez within the autumn.

“We have now plans for Balou Du Reventon however we’re very a lot going to select our days – I’ll be eyeing up just a few of the most important ones within the calendar, however we’ll very a lot take it because it comes,” stated Rolex testimonee Harry Charles of the teenage stallion. “However you’re positively not going to see him out each week.

“We’re seeing just a few extra older horses like him staying within the sport now, which is tremendous – within the outdated days it was the norm that horses would go on to 19, 20. Balou Du Reventon has had a very good life and folks have taken superb care of him all through his life – that’s why he’s been in a position to keep on the high of sport for thus lengthy. It’s a credit score to everybody actually.”

Harry Charles is presently competing on the Spring MET (Mediterranean Equestrian Tour) in Oliva Nova, Spain, with Balou Du Reventon and 4 different horses. He says new experience I’m Particular V and long-term accomplice, the 10-year-old Sherlock, who lately stepped as much as five-star stage very impressively, are his “two high prospects for this yr”.

“I’m Particular V may be one in all my prospects for the Europeans, and presumably the Paris Olympics subsequent yr,” stated Harry of the 10-year-old gelding (I’m Particular De Muze x Indoctro). “He’s positively one to maintain an eye fixed out for.”

You might also prefer to learn…

Horse & Hound journal, out each Thursday, is full of all the newest information and experiences, in addition to interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and coaching recommendation. Discover how one can get pleasure from the journal delivered to your door each week, plus choices to improve your subscription to entry our on-line service that brings you breaking information and experiences in addition to different advantages.