Ros Canter
Eventing

A reflection on 2022

I have so many wonderful memories made in 2022!

Badminton was our first major event and both my big boys performed so well to finish 2nd and 12th, with the Eventing world starting to get excited about Lordships Graffalo as he breezed his way around the cross country. Then came the shock of Nicola’s fall, which I still think about today. I am in awe of her and her courage. What an amazing role model she is.

Then on to Bramham where we started to get on a bit of a roll, with 3 double clears, including a win and 2nd place for Izilot DHI and Pencos Crown Jewel.

July soon came and it was the start of a life changing month. Next stop was Aachen, a place I had always wanted to compete at. Heartbreakingly we lost our amazing Allstar B there. He is missed more that ever, but what a horse he was with so many memories to treasure. Zenshera also joined us for the trip for the ride and drive class. On such a sad day, he filled our hearts with joy that evening as only he can.

The messages, cards and flowers we received when we got home, from all over the world, was incredibly touching.

Then it was time to get married! It was a truly brilliant day and I am a lucky girl to have the support of Chris, Ziggy, my family and friends who stand by my side. No time for a honeymoon, we went straight to Burgham and what an event it proved to be for us with another 2 international wins and Izilot DHI winning against some of the best horses in the world.

Soon it was time for the return of Burghley and it was wonderful to be back. Our little Pencos Crown Jewel surpassed all of my expectations to fly around the challenging cross country and finish 11th, also winning the inaugural EHOA league.

Next up was Pratoni for the World Championships with Lordships Graffalo. Although going in as defending world champion I was excited to take Walter and try and do my job as pathfinder for the team. He did not disappoint to finish in individual 4th, on the same score as the bronze medal. Although it took me a few days to get over feeling like I had missed out on the bronze medal, if anyone had told me that’s where I would have finished at the start of the week I wouldn’t have believed them, and what an amazing performance my young horse gave me.

We hit the ground running on our return with 7 horses at Osberton, and a win for MHS Seventeen in the 3*. Next stop Boekelo where Izilot DHI finished 6th, a huge achievement for a horse that is spooky and shy in that atmosphere.

Finally we finished the season at Pau where Rehy Royal Diamond tried his hardest in his first 5*. The sun shone and there was a great family atmosphere which almost made me feel like it was too early to stop eventing!

The world championship year has given me a chance to reflect on an amazing time. Four years ago I unexpectedly became the world champion. It changed my life and was more than I ever dreamed I could achieve. Then we were lucky enough to have Ziggy, which I hoped would fit in well with trying to get selected for the Olympics.

I pushed myself to get Olympic qualified competing 1 month after she was born, and we thought we were on track until Covid changed everything for everyone and a year late I was selected to go to Tokyo as the reserve rider. It was quite possibly one of the most emotionally challenging things I have ever done with so many mixed emotions every day. But I did it and I would do it again because the Olympic dream is still there for me.

And then to this year with my young horses doing me proud, the balancing act of being a great performer and Mummy challenges me every day, so to finish the year as world number 3 is motivating me to go for more next year. Thank you to my family and team at home, you are all amazing, fun and dedicated and I couldn’t do it without you.