JL Dublin – the entire package deal and ‘a credit score to Nicola Wilson’

It takes a particular horse to adapt to a brand new rider and carry out on the highest stage for a couple of pilot, and JL Dublin has proved he’s such a horse.

The darkish brown gelding by Diarado began his profession with Nicola Wilson, who selected the Holsteiner on the gross sales in Germany for his homeowners, Jo and James Lambert and Deirdre Johnston.

“We went over and tried him and I assumed he was very properly put collectively and he has a stunning eye,” stated Nicola in an interview in 2021. “He has a stunning approach over a fence and regarded a enjoyable horse.

“Since working with him as a younger horse, I sensed that he was a star within the making. However he was fairly bullish, boisterous and really cheeky till he bought to this stage of coaching, when he’s actually began to knuckle down and focus and use that vitality in a constructive method reasonably than in opposition to me.”

“Dubs” was profitable coming by the grades, together with ending fifth within the younger horse World Championships at Le Lion as a seven-year-old. However he actually sprang to prominence when he gained the CCI4*-L at Bicton Horse Trials – the Bramham Horse Trials alternative fixture – in 2021.

Nicola Wilson and JL Dublin win the CCI4*-L at Bicton in 2021. Image by Peter Nixon

Within the autumn that yr, the then-10-year-old JL Dublin and Nicola had been chosen for the British crew for the eventing European Championships in Avenches, Switzerland.

There, they carried out beautifully to complete on their third-placed dressage rating of 20.9 and declare the person gold, main Britain to crew gold too.

Nicola Wilson and JL Dublin on the 2021 European Championships. Image by Peter Nixon

“He missed half a yr once I had my neck harm in 2019 after which there’s been Covid, so he’s comparatively inexperienced, however though he’s not been on the competitors area, he’s nonetheless educated. The quiet time throughout Covid was a constructive for him, letting him change into stronger and extra established in his thoughts,” stated Nicola after their dressage take a look at in Avenches.

After successful, she added: “I couldn’t be prouder of him. I really feel very fortunate to have him for such loyal homeowners and to have the ability to construct that partnership and belief between us.”

The pair appeared to have a shiny future, however catastrophe struck at Badminton Horse Trials the next yr, when they fell in direction of the tip of the course. Nicola sustained severe accidents which ended her eventing profession.

The experience on JL Dublin went to British Olympic double medallist Tom McEwen, who quietly set about establishing a partnership with him. The pair completed the yr with second within the crack CCI4*-L at Boekelo within the Netherlands.

The next yr was a rollercoaster one for Tom and Dubs. They began out with an excellent second place within the CCI5* at Kentucky Three-Day Occasion.

Tom McEwen and JL Dublin at Kentucky 2023. Image by Amy Dragoo

“I’m using on the wave of Nicola’s coaching and every thing she’s carried out earlier than,” Tom stated at first of Kentucky week. “Dubs is the entire package deal and to have the ability to be handed on the reins after the wonderful job Nicola has carried out is unbelievable.”

After cross-country, he added: “He’s an exceptional horse. Contemplating that is solely my sixth run on him – and 4 of these had been good open intermediates – it’s large credit score to Nicola and every thing she’s carried out that I can hop on and get spherical a real five-star course that has loads of challenges.”

The pair’s subsequent large run was within the large CCI4*-S at Aachen in July. They set out throughout nation within the lead, final to go on this reverse-order showdown, however a run-out put paid to a high putting.

“We had simply two seconds of mistake which value us an ideal deal in the present day,” stated Tom. “He was up on the time, he was flying and luxurious, and we’ve learnt loads which is why we got here right here. Now it’s on to the subsequent.”

And subsequent was the European Championships in Haras du Pin, France. However that didn’t fairly work out both, when the pair had been third after dressage, however JL Dublin unseated Tom on the shoulder brush out of a water advanced.

Tom McEwen and JL Dublin on the 2023 European Championships. Image by Peter Nixon

They headed again to France for the CCI5*-L in Pau Horse Trials to spherical off their yr and made amends for Haras du Pin with third place there.

“We got here to do what we wanted to do, and he’s been incredible. We’re trying ahead to subsequent yr with him,” stated Tom.

Paris 2024 will little doubt be on Tom’s thoughts as he prepares for this season – an Olympic medal could be an emotional consequence for all concerned with JL Dublin.

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H&H journal editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a real eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand expertise of competing as much as British Eventing intermediate and worldwide CCI2*-L stage, and has labored within the business on a high occasion yard. Pippa enjoys nothing greater than immersing herself within the sport on the highest stage, reporting from the five-stars and worldwide championships, together with the Olympics.