Showjumper 'very emotional' after Olympic selection

Joe Stockdale has followed in his late father's footsteps by qualifying for an Olympics

British showjumper Joe Stockdale has said he is "unbelievably excited" to have qualified for the Paris Olympics.

Stockdale, 24, follows in the footsteps of his late father, Tim, who competed at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

The Northamptonshire rider joins Ben Maher, Harry Charles and Scott Brash in the GB showjumping squad.

"It’s been a nervous few weeks and a lot of anxious moments," he told BBC Look East.

"There is a lot of emotion, this means so much and I want to soak it all in.

"I might never get this chance again," he added.

Dad was 'so focused'

Tim Stockdale made his international debut in 1988 and finished as the highest-placed British rider in Beijing, in 16th place, on the grey mare Corlato after a clear in the first round of the individual final.

Joe was watching on the television back home, aged eight.

"I remember not really understanding magnitude of an Olympics," he said.

"I just thought it was another show. I never understood the scale of it. Now I realise what an achievement it is."

Tim’s determination to compete was such, that despite breaking his neck in three places during a training fall in 2011, he returned to competition - but missed out on a place at London 2012.

"Dad was so persistent, so focused through his career, but especially in the build-up to Beijing. I’ve tried my best to replicate it," said Joe.

Tim died from cancer, aged 54, in November 2018.

Joe's father, Tim Stockdale, finished as the highest-placed British rider at the Beijing Olympics

Tough decision

Just five weeks later, Joe was in the saddle at the Olympia Horse Show.

He and and his mother Laura, suddenly had to decide whether he could continue in the showjumping business.

"I had a very tough decision to make and looking back it was pretty mad to take it on," he admitted.

"I made the decision off one show - the Horse of the Year Show. It was the best I’d ever done.

"Before that there was nothing to say I was going to be good enough. It was pretty crazy and radical to do what we did.

"I had a harsh snap back to reality after that. I learnt it wasn’t as easy as I thought.

"You have to be persistent and resilient. There are so many ups and downs and a lot of business decisions to make - and it’s very competitive."

Since he started competing professionally in 2018, Joe has been named Young British Rider of the Year and has won team bronze at the 2022 World Championships, alongside Ben Maher, Scott Brash and Harry Charles.

"I am looking into every detail, just like my dad. I took a lot out of his dedication.

"I said to dad in his last few months that I was going to go to an Olympics," he said.

"You say it at the time, it’s a nice dream, but now it’s a reality."

Joe's horse, Equine America Cacheral, was bought by him and his father at an auction when she was three years old. She is owned by Joe's mother, Laura, and his step-grandmother, Joy Cocklin.

"We saw her and loved her from the start," he said.

"Dad picked her out. He was mad about her, and so it came with a little bit of hype and pressure because I knew how much he rated her.

"She’s a once in a lifetime horse. She’s extremely special."