Olympic champions named on Hickstead team

A strong British team, including two reigning Olympic champions, has been named for the Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain at Hickstead (Friday 24 July).

Team gold medallist Harry Charles (riding either Fighting Phil or Casquo Blue) has been named on the Team Audevard-sponsored British Showjumping squad, alongside his Paris 2024 team mate Ben Maher (riding Catelly).

Last year the British team finished runners-up to Germany in the Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain, and two members of that team return to the squad for 2026: Britain’s number one lady rider Jessica Mendoza, riding either In The Air or Summerhouse; along with Adrian Whiteway, who has been on superb form with the 13-year-old bay stallion Chacco Volo. The pair has now jumped eight consecutive 1.60m Nations Cup rounds without having a fence down.

Completing the squad is Tim Gredley and Medoc De Toxandria, who were part of the winning British team at Hickstead in both 2023 and 2024.  

The final team of four will be chosen on Thursday 23 July at the Agria Royal International Horse Show (22-26 July). Britain will face tough rivals from Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Canada, Brazil and the United Arab Emirates, with each team bidding to lift the Edward, Prince of Wales Trophy.

“British Chef d’equipe Di Lampard always aims to send a strong team to Hickstead, and this year’s squad certainly fits the bill,” said Hickstead Director Lizzie Bunn. “Ben Maher is the current world number four, and he and Tim Gredley were both part of the British team that had back-to-back wins here at Hickstead in 2023 and 2024. Jess and Harry are currently ranked third and fourth in Great Britain, while Adrian and Chacco Volo have proved themselves to be very reliable Nations Cup performers. Let’s hope this team can get back to the top of the podium in front of the home crowd, after narrowly missing out to Germany last year."

The Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain is the feature class of the Agria Royal International Horse Show (22-26 July). Tickets are on sale now, and all the action from the show will be livestreamed via the host streaming partner ClipMyHorse.TV.