He’s one of showjumping’s best personalities and this week Geoff Billington took the helm at the Horse & Hound headquarters.
The special showjumping issue, guest edited by Geoff, is on sale on Thursday 31 March.
Geoff represented Great Britain at both the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Olympics. He was a member of the bronze medal-winning team at the 1998 World Championships and also the 1997 European Championships.
In 2007, he was victorious in the prestigious Hickstead Derby riding Cassabachus and he also made numerous Nations Cup team appearances.
Top rides alongside his Derby-winning mount included this week’s cover star It’s Otto, and Cassius Clay.
“I had big shoes to fill, following in the footsteps of my former teammates John Whitaker and Nick Skelton as guest editor,” said the showjumper and respected trainer, who also turned commentator at this year’s inaugural Liverpool Horse Show.
“I have never done anything like this before so it was great to be involved — it’s always nice to have the opportunity to spread your wings.”
Geoff’s features include:
- Where’s the grass gone? With more and more venues investing in all-weather surfaces, we take a look at what affect this has on both young riders and the education of horses.
- Home or away? Why do British riders opt to be based abroad and what can the UK soil offer foreign riders.
- Showjumping over the years — H&H’s guest editor and his former teammate John Whitaker take a trip down memory lane and take a look at how the sport has changed.
- Geoff’s fantastic four — find out more about a quartet of talented British riders who have remained under the radar, chosen by Geoff.
“It has been great fun working with Geoff on this issue, he came up with fantastic topics that cover a platform of areas from within the sport,” said Hannah Lemieux, H&H’s acting showjumping editor. “I really hope the readers enjoy the special issue as much as we did putting it together.”
Starting tomorrow (Tuesday) there is a series of features going online at horseandhound.co.uk.
The web features include Geoff’s most memorable moments — plus a few he’d rather forget (29 March) — and Geoff answering readers’ queries during an online Q&A session (31 March).
Related articles:
- Check out Geoff Billington’s ‘Superman’ lorry
- Laura Tomlinson guest edits Horse & Hound
- Ride of my life: Geoff Billington
Plus find out more about this week’s cover star It’s Otto — Geoff reveals to H&H what his top horse was like.
This year’s other guest-edited specials:
• Eventing (published on 3 March), guest-edited by Sam Griffiths
• Showing (published on 17 March), guest-edited by Robert Walker
• Dressage (published on 24 March), guest-edited by Laura Tomlinson
