'Its beauty was in its simplicity'

Jodie Hall McAteer on format and an epic week at the "pinnacle of the year"

- Jodie Hall McAteer

OVER the past three years, the places I have travelled to thanks to this profession are unbelievable. My horses have more stamps in their passports than most people get in a lifetime!

But I’ve missed out on the action at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS, report p50) in recent years, so I couldn’t wait to be back doing what I love in front of a home crowd.

It’s the pinnacle of the year for so many British showjumpers, and I truly hope that the national talent being showcased is one thing that never has to change.

If you’d asked me last week whether I’d have stood a chance of winning the grand prix with Hardessa, I’d have told you no. I wasn’t sure if we’d even be in it, we were just taking things day by day.

But winning the leading showjumper of the year on the final day was one of my most special achievements to date because it was just so completely unexpected.

CAMARADERIE AND EXCITEMENT