BBC series said to be responsible for increased show jumping popularity

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A new wave of interest in show jumping has emerged following the BBC TV series, Only Fools on Horses, in which celebrities climbed into the saddle to raise money for Sport Relief.

The British Show Jumping Association have revealed an increase in the number of enquiries from people looking to take up the sport as a result of the nine-episode show. In addition, ticket sales for the London Horse Show at Olympia and Hickstead’s Royal International Horse Show are said to have escalated significantly.

Sarah Chittendon from Wimbledon Riding Stables told reporters that her phone hadn’t stopped ringing since the series was aired, but warned that some new riders may be disillusioned by the harsh realities of learning to ride.

She told Horse and Hound, “We have lots of enquiries but everyone wants to jump. I think the show was brilliant because it raised the profile of show jumping but by putting beginners on top class show jumpers it has given the impression that anyone can do it.

“We have had to explain to people that the celebrities had intensive lessons for X number of hours a day on horses that could do it in their sleep.”

The Wimbledon Riding School boss also revealed how she hoped the interest aroused by Only Fools on Horses might encourage show jumping to get more TV coverage, saying, “Hickstead used to be broadcast in its entirety and now we are lucky to get an hour.”

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