EQUESTRIAN Harry Charles was crowned national under-18 champion after a “tremendous display” of young jumping talent at the British Showjumping National Championships.

As the stars of the future took centre stage in the jump off, 17-year-old Harry, from Bentworth, produced the only clear round out of the five combinations who made it through, while riding horse Vivaldi Du Dom.

Last year, Harry was part of the junior team who won bronze at the FEI European Jumping Championship. He also won silver at the Europeans and came first in the Gents Final in Wales. In April this year, he took second place ahead of his father, London 2012 gold medallist Peter Charles, at the Welsh Masters – a son certainly following in his father’s footsteps.

Speaking of his win, Harry said: “The course was well built and had a great technical element to it. I could see that the first fence was causing problems for many so I made sure I really balanced him [Vivaldi Du Dom] on the approach. In the jump off I was conscious of the fact that Maja was really fast so I wanted to really go for it.”

Maja Burnell finished second on Carnaval Komom in a quick time but picked up four faults.