Olympic medal-winning eventer scores first HOYS ticket, Kitty King walks European Championships track, and more things the horse world is talking about

Olympic eventer bags HOYS qualification

Olympic gold medal-winning event rider Tom McEwen has claimed his first ever Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) showjumping ticket. Tom partnered Kilcannon Mischeif to win the grade C qualifier at Bicton Midsummer Festival in Devon. The eight-year-old mare evented to intermediate level before switching to showjumping this year. “She has a lovely personality and is very easy to deal with, which makes it easier. She’s flown up the ranks quite quickly,” said Tom.

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Kitty King walks Europeans track

Event rider Kitty King, who won individual silver and helped Britain to team gold at the 2023 Europeans, has walked this year’s European Championships cross-country track at Blenheim (17 to 21 September). This year’s course is designed by Mark Phillips. “I feel the course is appropriate for the level, given it has to cater for lots of different nations with varying levels of experience,” says Kitty, in her exclusive course-walk for H&H.

Watch Kitty walk three key combinations on course

A stalwart bows out

Truman, a familiar face on Canadian showjumping teams with rider Amy Millar, has retired aged 16 to spend time “with his friends on 600 acres of grass”. The pair competed at the 2022 World Championships in Denmark, were part of the silver medal-winning team at the 2023 Pan American Games and contested the 2024 Paris Olympics. “I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to know and love this animal,” said Amy. “When I walked in the ring on Truman, I always knew we could do it and never felt like the fences were too big or the course too hard. Thank you, Truman, for your kindness, reliability and heart. But most of all thank you for giving me the confidence to know I can jump any class in the world – that’s the best gift a rider can receive.”

Read Amy’s full tribute

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