Will and Olli Fletcher: Horse & Hound yard go to

Earlier this month, H&H paid a go to to the Oxfordshire yard of high-flying showjumping brothers Will and Olli Fletcher. It was a quick interlude at residence simply north of Lambourn in between Will’s journey south to the Sunshine Tour, and Olli’s flight to Doha for his first expertise of the World Champions League.

We hope you get pleasure from this unique behind-the-scenes tour of the yard, assembly some fabulous horses with fascinating backstories. Don’t miss the complete interview within the present concern of the journal (22 February).

1.  “I owe Percy all the pieces”

Will with 19-year-old Persimmon (Percy), who completed fourth on the European Eventing Championships with Kitty King earlier than switching to showjumping and profitable younger rider medals with Will.

2. Howdy William’s get together trick

Olli has taught his prime horse Howdy William to kiss him on command. Olli has an particularly robust bond with the 12-year-old by Waldo Van Dungen, who began his profession as an occasion horse. He recovered from colic final season to be positioned in a five-star grand prix.

3. The boys run separate yards – and separate companies

Will, pictured with one among his prime rides, Israel, retains his string in a row of recent exterior stables embellished with fairly purple hanging baskets, whereas Olli homes most of his horses in an indoor barn.

4. Candy treats

Mum Tina presents Howdy William a sugar lump after his leaping session.

5. Polework coincides with flat classes

Will places Quintine Van D’Abdijhoeve by means of her paces over raised poles

Moreover a big 40x85m out of doors college, the place they do most of their leaping coaching, there’s a smaller enviornment for flatwork and polework.

“They do loads of polework because it retains them athletic and will get the muscle tissues working correctly, with out placing an excessive amount of stress on them,” says Tina, who coaches her two sons.

6. An all-weather monitor circumnavigates the paddocks

The Fletchers’ dad, Graham, laid down a canter monitor utilizing the outdated floor of the college once they had been renovating it. It presents a helpful different to hacking. Right here Olli rides Kandoo Z, an eight-year-old owned by Will, forward of Will using Quintine Van D’Abdijhoeve (Clover).

7. Love is within the air

Olli has a delicate spot for the pleasant eight-year-old Love (Diamant De Semilly x Heartbreaker). This gorgeous little mare is “so scopey” and can step as much as rankings lessons this season.

8. An Irish hunter in disguise?

Will aboard one other eight-year-old mare, Quintine Van D’Abdijhoeve, who was positioned within the seven-year-old last final season and is owned by Alison Walton.

“She seems to be like an Irish hunter however she’s so gentle off the bottom when she jumps,” says Will. “She’s come on leaps and bounds.”

9. Protecting the present on the highway

Every brother has their very own head groom. Eefie Billson (pictured above main Israel) works for Will and in addition competes her personal showjumper, Pudding. Gemma Chapman (pictured under with Kandoo) is Olli’s groom and in addition helps with the using.

10. A quiet leap at residence

Tina explains that the horses “by no means leap huge at residence”: “A horse doing 1.50m lessons received’t leap greater than 1.40m. We simply need to maintain them relaxed, pleased and having fun with their job.”

Will jumps his prime horse Iwalinde (Isla)

Olli places the top-class Howdy William by means of his paces

11. “Percy does no matter he pleases”

Tina provides a deal with to Persimmon

Persimmon is the yard favorite. He occupies the primary field in Olli’s yard, though he’s Will’s experience – “as a result of that’s the place he needs to be”. The veteran continues to be profitable grands prix as a 19-year-old.

12. “They assist one another out”

Olli (left, aboard Howdy William), and Will using Iwalinde

Dad Graham admits he’s stunned at how properly the household enterprise has labored out. Whereas there may be loads of banter, he says: “I can’t bear in mind them ever having an argument concerning the horses – they assist one another out.”

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H&H options editor

Martha is an skilled journalist who’s mad-keen on canines of all sizes and shapes. After rising up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she loved 14 years with two rescue canines, one a avenue canine from Gambia who was deserted at three weeks outdated. Now, her fixed companion, whether or not by her toes at her desk or strolling cross-country programs, is Fidget, an especially energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on matters as numerous as a prime horse’s clone to the very best GPS trackers for canines, in addition to equestrian and rural issues for Nation Life, The Area, The Instances, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.