Surrey rider James Emblen logs long-awaited International Arena victory at Hickstead
Thursday 22 June 2023
 BootsandHoovesPhotography.jpg "Surrey rider James Emblen logs long-awaited International Arena victory at Hickstead")
“I’ve been attempting to do that for about 20-odd years,” Woking showjumping James Emblen said after taking top honours in The Astore & Sons 1.35m Open Championship at Hickstead today (22 June). “I’ve had some seconds and some thirds in there, but it’s special to finally get the win – it’s an amazing feeling.”
His win came courtesy of Carl 61, who he began riding in 2021, and the pair were one of just two combinations to deliver a clear round. Though they were one of the early partnerships in the ring and didn’t have a chance to gain much intel about how the course was riding, James had a robust plan of action thanks to some sage help from Irish showjumper Mark Dorgan.
“I was guided well: Mark is a regular here, and I walked the course with him,” says James. “I was early in the class, so I wanted to put a clear in and then see what happened – but I wasn’t overly quick, so I was a little bit worried, because I felt that there was some time in there that I could have taken off.” But, he says, “luck had it, and it was my day!”
The difference came from a positive bit of riding from the double to fence nine, where Mark impressed upon him that the key would be to keep riding to it, rather than taking a careful, conservative approach. “He told me to be positive before and after the fences, and I think that’s what clinched it,” he says.
Though his partnership with Carl 61 is coming to an end, as the horse’s owner is putting him on the market, James has enjoyed his time with the 15-year-old son of Count Grannus. “I’ve had him for two years, and he’d had some time off before that through no fault of his own,” says James, who describes the gelding as “an interesting character – but he’s been amazing for me. He’s taken me to bigger classes, and he’s got a heart of gold. He can be a little bit sensitive to noises and sudden movements, but in the ring, he absolutely loves it. We’ve had an amazing time together.”
The Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting takes place from 22-25 June at Hickstead in West Sussex. Tickets are available online or at the gate, and the action will also be shown live on Hickstead.TV and ClipMyHorse.TV.
Image: Boots and Hooves Photography
