{"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"u28R38WdMo","rid":"R7EKS5F","offerId":"OF3HQTHR122A","offerTemplateId":"OTQ347EHGCHM"}}
Trending:

Can you recall who finished runner-up to the likes of Harvey Smith, Mark Todd and Ruby Walsh?

Jennifer Donald Jennifer Donald

    • They say that nobody remembers second — except the person that finished second, so we thought we’d put it to the test with some examples of high achievers from the equestrian world. Behind this illustrious roll of honour of major winners, can you recall these (sometimes unexpectedly well-known) runners-up?

    1. 1971 Hickstead Derby: winner Harvey Smith on Mattie Brown

    Runner up = Steven Hadley on Prospero

    2. 2010 Grand National: winner AP McCoy riding Don’t Push It

    Don't Push It ridden by Tony McCoy (left) beats Black Apalachi ridden by Denis O'Regan to win the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool.

    Runner up = Denis O’Regan on Black Apalachi

    3. 1996 Olympics individual dressage: winner Isabell Werth on Gigolo

    H677WC The Olympic Games, Atlanta 1996, Anky van Grunsven (NED) riding Cameleon Bonfire

    Runner up = Anky van Grunsven riding Bonfire

    4. 2007 Hickstead Derby: winner Geoff Billington on Cassabachus

    Special Diamond and Andrew Mizon in the Bunn Leisure Derby Trial on Friday 26th June H&H 02/07/2009 pub orig

    Runner up = Andrew Mizon riding Special Diamond

    5. 1973 Burghley: winner Mark Phillips riding Maid Marion

    Runner up = Sue Hatherly (Benson) on Harley

    6. 2016 Olympics individual jumping: winner Nick Skelton on Big Star

    Peder Fredricson SWE riding All In, during the 1st Qualifier in the individual Show Jumping competition at the Olympic Equestrian Centre in Deodoro near Rio, Brazil on 14th August 2016

    Runner up = Peder Fredricson on All In

    7. 1996 Badminton Horse Trials: winner Mark Todd on Bertie Blunt

    H66NAN Olympic Games, Sydney, September 2000 Vaughn Jefferis (NZL) riding Bounce

    Runner up = Vaughn Jefferis riding Bounce

    8. 2004 Hickstead Derby: winner John Whitaker riding Buddy Bunn

    Ellen Whitaker riding Locarno 62 in the DFS Derby in the DFS Derby during the Hickstead Horse Show at the All England Jumping Course, Hickstead.

    Runner up = Ellen Whitaker on Locarno

    9. 1988 Burghley: winner Jane Thelwall riding King’s Jester

    Madeleine Gurdon on Midnight Monarch from Burghley

    Runner up = Madeleine Gurdon on Midnight Monarch

    10. 1995 Cheltenham Gold Cup: winner Norman Williamson riding Master Oats

    HWM1EH DUBACILLA RIDDEN BY DEAN GALLAGHER 14 April 1995

    Runner up = Dean Gallagher on Dubacilla

    11. 2002 Hickstead Derby winner: Peter Charles on Corrada

    Robert Smith and Mr Springfield

    Runner up = Robert Smith with Mr Springfield

    12. 1986 World Cup dressage final: winner Anne Grethe Jensen riding Marzog

    Christopher Bartle and Wily Trout Runner up = Christopher Bartle on Wily Trout

    13. 2012 Burghley: winner Andrew Nicholson with Avebury

    SINEAD MAPLIN AND MANOIR DE CARNEVILLE Burghley H/T 01.09.12

    Runner up = Sinead Halpin on Manoir De Carneville

    14. 1995 Hickstead Derby: winner John Ledingham riding Kilbaha

    John Whitaker and Gammon

    Runner up = John Whitaker on Gammon

    15. 1981 Grand National: winner Bob Champion riding Aldaniti

    Spartan Missile ridden by John Thorne jumps the last fence to finish in second place

    Runner up = John Thorne and Spartan Missile

    16. 2014 World Cup dressage final: winner Charlotte Dujardin on Valegro

    Helen Langehanenberg (GER)&Damon Hill NRW - Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Finals - Grand Prix - Eurexpo, Lyon, France - 19 April 2014

    Runner up = Helen Langehanenberg riding Damon Hill NRW

    17. 1999 Burghley: winner Mark Todd on Diamond Hall Red

    Karen Dixon on Too Smart takes the lead at the end of the first day of dressage at the Pedigree Chum Burghley Horse Trials in Stamford, Lincolnshire, Thursday September 2 1999. PA Photo: COURTESY OF BURGHLEY HORSE TRIALS

    Runner up = Karen Dixon riding Too Smart

    18. 2005 Grand National: winner Ruby Walsh on Hedgehunter

    LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 9: Royal Auclair (number 2) ridden by Christian Williams goes over Becher's Brook during the John Smith's Grand National at the Aintree Race Course on April 9, 2005 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

    Runner up = Christian Williams riding Royal Auclair

    19. 2013 European jumping championships: winner Roger Yves Bost riding Castle Forbes Myrtille Paulois

    Ben MAHER riding Cella (CH) GBR in the Individual Final of the FEI European Championship in Herning, Denmark in August 2013

    Runner up = Ben Maher on Cella

    20. And finally… do one-twos come any more impressive than this? 1991 British grand prix: winner John Whitaker on Milton

    Runner up = Mark Todd riding Loro Piana Double Take

    Would you like to read Horse & Hound’s independent journalism without any adverts? Join Horse & Hound Plus today and you can read all articles on HorseandHound.co.uk completely ad-free.

    Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2025 with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

    Jennifer Donald
    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.
    Jennifer Donald

    You may like...