Jonathan Dimbleby.. Showjumper, back page of The Telegraph.

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MissDeMeena

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Back page of The Telegraph Sat Mag. 'Flashback' is a picture of Jonathan Dimbleby, yes the same we know of as a political reporter, jumping a large fence in old fashion style on a 4yr old..

The photo was taken when he was 20, on a 4yr old called Lights Out. They went on to win the Foxhunter Championship at HOYS... H&H also tipped him as an up-and-coming Olympic rider.

Bet no one knew that of him
shocked.gif
 
I'm just too young to remember Dimbleby competing but wasn't he on a Junior European team with John Francome?
Page 45 Foxhunter Champions by Sue Clark.
Lights Out owned by Len Carter and ridden by Julie Nash of Trigger Hill fame who came second in 1960.
The horse was subsequently owned by Trevor Banks and ridden by Malcolm Pyrah, Paddy McMahon, Mike Saywell and Harvey Smith with whom he had considerable success at home and abroad at the age of 13
If you love old pics like this check out Pamela Macgregor Morriss's Great Showjumpers of Yesterday Today and Tomorrow. Some of the jumps both senior and junior are pretty bizarre.
Any really old sj books given a good home.
 
I am old enough to remember Jonathan's short-lived career as a SJer. Don't get the wrong impression - he did not himself ride Lights Out to win the Foxhunter title, nor was he on the Junior European team - he's older than me and I'm older than Johnny F.
 
About 7 years ago I was worked for Jonathan Dimbleby, first as his cleaner and then I did a stint as his groom. He had 3 horses at that point, all of them very nice. He hunted regularly, and did the ocasional local hunter trial and show jumping class, and I persuaded him to do his first endurance ride. Which was possibly a bit of a mistake, because oh boy, is he competitive!! He absolutely insisted that we overtake every single rider in front of us, regardless of what speed or class they were doing, he just didn't get it....it gave some of the riders a bit of a shock to be passed at great speed by J. Dimbleby yelling 'coming through' as we belted past them.
He loves his riding, and his horses, I think when I worked for him he saw it as a welcome break from the pressures of his work. What always impressed me was his agility. He's not the tallest person on the planet, or lets face it, the youngest, but he always got on his horse by just sort of jumping on without using his stirrup...he kind of levitated....very impressive!!

Oh, and he's an extremely nice man, very kind, hugely intelligent, and with a great sense of humour.
 
[ QUOTE ]
About 7 years ago I was worked for Jonathan Dimbleby, first as his cleaner and then I did a stint as his groom. He had 3 horses at that point, all of them very nice. He hunted regularly, and did the ocasional local hunter trial and show jumping class, and I persuaded him to do his first endurance ride. Which was possibly a bit of a mistake, because oh boy, is he competitive!! He absolutely insisted that we overtake every single rider in front of us, regardless of what speed or class they were doing, he just didn't get it....it gave some of the riders a bit of a shock to be passed at great speed by J. Dimbleby yelling 'coming through' as we belted past them.
He loves his riding, and his horses, I think when I worked for him he saw it as a welcome break from the pressures of his work. What always impressed me was his agility. He's not the tallest person on the planet, or lets face it, the youngest, but he always got on his horse by just sort of jumping on without using his stirrup...he kind of levitated....very impressive!!

Oh, and he's an extremely nice man, very kind, hugely intelligent, and with a great sense of humour.

[/ QUOTE ]

He lives by us, or used to not sure if he has sold the farm now. I'm guessing you used to come down to our place and hire our school before he bought the flat field next to the houses at the top of the drive. I think he has sold the butchers as well.
 
Hi Ddog, that wasn't me with him then, that was top groom, I expect I was back at the stables shovelling poo!! Yes, farm sold now to non horsey people, such a shame, it was a lovely set up, apart from having to cross the main road to go for a hack!!

Minerva, Jack was lovely...and he had a wonderful time with you. Hugs X.
 
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