Great Britain’s number one showjumper Scott Brash admits the performances of his younger horses this year have left him confident he can continue leading from the front in the future.
Brash has long had a successful partnership with horse Hello Sanctos, with the pair helping Great Britain take team jumping gold at London 2012 as well as finishing fifth in the individual competition.
In November of this year, they won the lucrative Global Champions Trophy overall series for a second successive time while Brash has now been leading the world rankings for 13 months, with the current record of 15 months well in his sights.
Next summer sees the European Championships take place in Germany with Brash and Hello Sanctos set to spearhead Britain’s bid for Rio 2016 qualification.
But he is already planning for the long-term though and demonstrated the promise of a string of young horses at the recent London International Horse Show in Olympia, including victory for Hello M’Lady in the H&M Ivy Stakes.
And buoyed by their showing, Brash believes things are all set for continued success.
"I've had a wonderful year," said Brash. "Sanctos has been incredible all year, and it is really nice and promising to have some young horses coming up also.
"I have got three young horses here in London, and I have been really pleased with every single one. We've got high hopes for the future.
"It's tough to stay at number one, but I must say I have wonderful horses. My team at home is great, my owners, my sponsors, also. Everyone does their bit to let us achieve our goals.We are in a good place right now.”
There was also British success on the closing night of the London International Horse Show with Brash’s fellow London 2012 Olympic team gold medallist Ben Maher claiming the Olympia Grand Prix for a second successive year.
Maher, Brash and veteran campaigner John Whitaker were a trio of British riders in the five horse jump-off but it was Maher and Diva II who emerged victorious in a time of 40.17 seconds, while Brash finished fourth and Whitaker fifth.
The win crowned an impressive five days for Maher, who also landed the show’s leading rider award.
He said: "I am very happy. We couldn't have gone any better.
“She's a tricky horse and she can be feisty and fiery, but she is a fantastic jumper. She is so talented and really wants to win every time."
© Sportsbeat 2014