Across the equestrian world, Jumbo (pictured above) is one special stallion who needs little introduction. He has sired Badminton, Burghley, Bramham, Blenheim, Saumur and Rolex Kentucky winners, as well as competing to Advanced level himself with much success. He was campaigned by Andrew Nicholson, taking out the 7 Year Old Young Horse Trophy at Lion d'Angers in 1991 - the only British stallion to have achieved this. His talents are not limited to eventing however as he has produced top showjumpers and Grand Prix winning dressage horses who compete successfully across the UK,USA, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Jumbo’s progeny have inherited his beautiful temperament, movement and jump and they are very trainable and undeniably talented. None more so then perhaps his daughter, Headley Britannia who is the only mare to have won Badminton, Burghley and Rolex Kentucky as well as being a member of the 2008 Australian Olympic Silver medal team. This year’s Burghley winner Avebury is also by Jumbo and he was bred and ridden by the stallion’s former rider Andrew Nicholson. For the second year running, Jumbo has led the British Eventing Sire Rankings with an impressive 5486 points – many of those points came from Avebury but the stallion has another 68 horses competing across the UK. He has also taken out the Sire of Young Horse rankings this season, with many points coming from the seven year old Jenga.
The 2012 Burghley winner - Avebury
Jumbo is now an incredible 28 years old and he currently lives with his owner Carolyn Bates at Grafham Stud in Devon. “Every days a bonus when we get to that age,” Carolyn says. Carolyn bought Jumbo at just six months old and has a special bond with the legendary stallion. “We do know each other very well,” she laughs. “I came out to Australia last year and I had him on my iPad so I could check him whenever I wanted.” When quizzed about what it takes to develop a stallion that is so successful, let alone have such longevity, Carolyn laughed. “Luck, nothing more, it’s just luck.”
Grafham Stud is also home to Free Spirit, Brief Encounter and Jigilo, who stand proudly alongside their father and have also produced some fantastic sport horses in their own right. Sue and Chris Tufnell from Tullow Stud (where Carolyn stayed with her iPad last year) in Victoria spent some time with Jumbo when he was 10 years old. “I wish it could have been more,” Sue said. When she first laid eyes on the lovely big black stallion, he just grew. “He just seemed to have this lovely big uphill canter.” Unfortunately Jumbo’s semen is longer available in Australia and currently he has no offspring competing here. Sue has followed Jumbo’s progeny in the UK and explains how exciting they are to watch. “It’d be great to have more of Jumbo over here,” she said.
No wonder he's exciting to watch - here is Jumbo jumping 1m 80
And that’s exactly what is happening. Alex Townsend has just purchased Mumbo Jumbo IV and he is currently in quarantine, due to be released on December 1st. Mumbo Jumbo was up for sale and being campaigned by our very own Sam Griffiths in the UK when Chris Burton recommended the horse to Alex. “He’s very much a family pet, he’s unbelievably sweet natured,” Alex says. Mumbo Jumbo has certainly inherited his father’s talents. “He’s one of those horses that you sit on and they are so forward and genuine.”
Sam Griffiths and Mumbo Jumbo at Gatcombe 2012
Alex who is originally from England herself has also purchased Clayton Fredericks’ London Olympic horse Bendigo III. She is planning on keeping both horses in Australia for the first half of next year and aiming for Sydney 3 Day Event before heading back overseas. “I’ve always promised my mum that I would go back and compete for a season in the UK,” she said.
If watching his progeny isn’t enough and you would like your own little bit of Jumbo (and let’s face it why wouldn’t you!) then keep your eyes peeled on the Grafham Stud website (www.grafhamstud.com). “I’ve got a young Jumbo stallion that we’re probably going to freeze shortly and I was going to get some to Australia,” Carolyn says. This young stallion is Philanderer II and he is currently competing in the UK with Lucy Wiegersma. Whilst Philanderer has only just started, he has inherited his father’s looks and will no doubt bring Jumbo’s extensive talents into Australia and across the world.
An oldie but goody. Not only is there great footage of Andrew Nicholson riding Jumbo in this video but also some classic footage at the end of a little girl handling the big black stallion - lovely!
Article by Emily Penney
