Joe Stockdale smashes high jump record following in his late father’s footsteps: ‘One I won’t forget’

In a poignant evening at the Spruce Meadows Masters, Canada, British showjumper Joe Stockdale followed in the footsteps of his late father Tim Stockdale when winning the ATCO Electric Six Bar competition.

Under the lights on Friday night (5 September), the 25-year-old rider and 11-year-old gelding It’s Confidential soared over a towering final fence set at 2.13m (more than 6ft 11in) to share the spoils with Czech rider Vaclav Stanek riding Quintin.

This was Joe’s first time competing at the Calgary venue; the last time he visited Spruce Meadows was to watch his dad Tim and Fresh Direct K2 clearing 2.03m to win the same world famous high-jump class in 2011.

Joe and Vaclav also made history as they smashed Spruce Meadows’ six-bar record of 2.12m, which was set by Jessica Kurten of Ireland riding Castle Forbes Libertina in 2004.

“Breaking the six bar record at Spruce Meadows and winning the same class as my dad here in Calgary is one I won’t forget,” said Joe Stockdale. “It’s Confidential cleared 2.13m to break the 21-year-old record – a very special night here in Canada.”

Vaclav Stanek and Quintin also clear 2.13m to share the spoils with Joe Stockdale in the ATCO Electric Six Bar at Spruce Meadows, Canada.

Joe Stockdale versus Vaclav Stanek in final round

A field of 12 lined up for this year’s ATCO Electric Six Bar, with each fence raised in height after each round. Seven combinations made it through to the fourth round where Joe, Vaclav and Daniel Deusser (Pepita Van’t Meulenof BR) again jumped clear.

When the German rider elected to withdraw before jumping the final set of four fences, it came down to a duel between Great Britain’s Joe and 30-year-old Vaclav riding 15-year-old Quintin.

Celebrations erupted after both combinations displayed immense skill and bravery to clear the towering line of fences once more, much to the delight of the packed grandstands on this, Spruce Meadows’ 50th anniversary.

Joe punched the air in delight after touching down on It’s Confidential (Conthargos x VDL Cardento 933), who is owned by Ben Carus. This was only their second six bar competition together, having finished third in Falsterbo recently.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘No such word as can’t’: check out Joe Stockdale’s inspirational horseshoes for Paris 2024

Nerves of steel (and horses with wings): 6 amazing moments from high jump history

‘Dad’s words are great motivation’: how Tim Stockdale’s sons are achieving sporting greatness

Showjumping stars gather to compete for sport’s richest ever $5m prize: ‘There’s an enormous buzz’

Point Break versus King Edward: who is the best showjumping horse in the world according to the data experts?

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Jennifer Donald

H&H showjumping editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.