Leo Lamb makes history as he claims three HOYS tickets in three days with Gmail
Monday 22 May 2023
Leo Lamb enjoyed an unprecedented week at Wales and West at the David Broome Event Centre, Chepstow, claiming three finalist places in the prestigious Horse of the Year Show National Finals in just three days with the same horse – the talented Gmail.
“He’s my ‘Horse of a Lifetime’ and has made my dream come true of competing at HOYS not once, but three times at one show,” said a delighted and overwhelmed Leo on the Cornet Obolensky x Diamant De Semilly 7-year-old. “I’m so excited to be going to HOYS and relieved for Gmail – now he can have a few easy weeks, we don’t have to chase any more qualifiers.”
The pair started their amazing weekend with second place in the Newcomers Second Round. A total of 114 competitors came forward over a track starting at 1.25m with 21 supplying initial clears and an eventual nine accessing the third and final round against the clock. Nicole Pavitt claimed the win on Genial Du Dalot with Leo and Gmail 0.46 seconds adrift to take second place and his first coveted pass to HOYS.
“It has been made all the more special as the day before we were due to leave for the show, I had a bad fall at home and was rushed to hospital. I later found out I had broken ribs and the doctors said I wouldn’t be able to ride for four weeks,” said Leo.
“I knew Gmail was in good form and didn’t want to miss such a good opportunity to qualify. I was in severe pain and there were definitely a few times I felt I couldn’t ride, but as soon as I got in the ring, the pain went away – it was all about getting the job done.”
Leo had a nail-biting wait in the 99-strong Events Through A Lens Talent Seeker incorporating the 7-year-old Championship qualifier. Seventeen riders returned round one clears to make their way into a hot jump-off, won by Joe Trunkfield on Oh La La Van Overis. Leo was lying in the fourth and final qualifying place and was on tenterhooks as each competitor following his round tried their utmost to better him. It wasn’t until the final rider he could breathe again.
The final day proved the best. Nineteen of the original 59 starters posted initial clears over the 12-fence track which began at a height of 1.30m with seven contending the third and final round against the clock. A clear wasn’t to be found in the jump-off and Leo had to decide in his late draw whether to aim for a clear or hedge his bets and step up the pace. He opted for the latter, a wise choice as Gmail tapped out a rail – the only faults he incurred during the show – and won the class with 0.86 seconds to spare.
“Gmail proves again and again how consistent he is at getting great results when they matter most. Without doubt he is a future Championship horse. I think he’ll have a very good chance [at HOYS] as he’s good in that sort of environment and he’s very fast against the clock,” said Leo, who has now achieved is HOYS aim and will target qualifying for the World Breeding Championships in Lanaken later in the year while longer term plans include British teams.
Leo, 22, is based at his mother Carron Nicol’s European Sport Horses Ltd base in Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire. Despite Carron running a successful equine sales, breeding and production business from home, Leo didn’t start competing until aged 16 with schoolmaster grade A Oldtown KC – a former ride of Trevor Breen.
“I had my pony Razzamatazz when I was young. I only rode him once a week, I’d fall off and thought, this isn’t for me and quit. But I accompanied Mum on the county circuit when she was doing well with Mr Visto and it sparked a drive to try again,” explained Leo.
“My whole team have been a massive part of my success over the past two years, but the biggest ‘Thank you’ goes to my mum – she has kept Gmail for me despite receiving some serious offers. She has always sold her top horses even when getting the chance to represent her country – Fantasia, Mr Visto, Vistogrand and Jaguar VD Berghoeve.”
The Gold Development Programme has paved the way
“I’ve been lucky enough to be selected for British Showjumping’s Gold Development Programme this year and I’ve learnt so much about all the different aspects of not just riding but horsemanship. Both coaches, Matt Lanni and Nicola McLeish, made everyone in the group very comfortable and helped us all work out our goals for this year. I cannot thank them enough,” said Leo.
“This will be my first ever time competing at HOYS and what’s meant to be, will be – I’m just very proud I have a horse like him in my stable.”
Image: Showground Photography
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