Peter Charles has built up an impressive catalogue of show jumping successes throughout his career, including three consecutive wins at the famous Hickstead Derby in 2001, 2002, 2003 with Corrada. In 1995 Peter rode La Ina to victory at the European Championships in Switzerland, taking the individual gold medal to secure Ireland's first equestrian medal in more than 30 years. He was also on the winning team at three of the most prestigious Nations Cups in the world during 1995 — Aachen, Dublin and Spruce Meadows. He was given clearance by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) to change nationality in 2008 and has ridden under the union flag in the Nations Cup ever since.

What would you do if you didn’t work with horses? I would be a football player, hopefully for Liverpool.

Why did you decide to go into show jumping? It certainly wasn’t because of the money!

What’s the first thing you look for in a good horse? My gut reaction, the overall first impression, is most important to me. It’s not really any one thing in particular. I can’t really explain exactly what it is, but I suppose it's star quality I am looking for.

How many horses do you ride a day? I ride either four and five. I also have a stable jockey, Peter Moloney, who rides about eight or nine.

Who has the best yard you’ve visited? Definitely Hallenbeck’s in Denmark. It’s beautifully modern, but tasteful and very functional for the horses. It’s been built with ease of work in mind and management of everything. The horseboxes are parked underneath the stables, everything goes up and down on lifts, the muck is taken away on conveyer belts and then used to heat the building. It’s just out of this world.

What is your funniest horse moment? When I rode in a pro-am class many years ago. I was the amateur and Geoff Billington was the pro. I ended up in the water jump

Who is the person who inspires you the most and why? My family, I always want to do well for them.

Whose horse would you like to own and why? Gem Twist. He was the best show jumper ever and will always be.

What goes through your mind as you enter the ring for a big competition? Don’t take the wrong course!

When did you last kick yourself? When I couldn’t get one of my former owners to buy Shutterfly when I had him on price as a young horse.

How do you relax? I like to watch my kids compete and try and play some golf now and again

Who is the one to watch this year and why? I think it’ll be interesting to see McLain Ward on Super Trooper de Ness

What is your greatest achievement to date? That has to be winning the individual gold medal at European Championship. Among the riders who are still competing, only myself and John Whitaker have won it for Britain.

What goals have you still got left like to achieve? Olympic gold is definitely up there, but not the only thing. Also, I just missed out getting in to the final four at a World Championships. That’s something I’d like to do. Getting on other riders’ horses has never worried me.

What is your top top for the H&C readers? Hard work and dedication will pay of at some stage and you need both to get anywhere

To find out more about Peter check out his website: www.team-murka.com or follow him on - 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Peter-charles/309031900338 Twitter: @petercharlesSJ

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