HARRY Charles of Benworth flew the flag for Great Britain at Wierden in The Netherlands, winning the Junior Grand Prix and helping GB’s Team NAF to victory in the Nations Cup.

The highly technical 1.45m Grand Prix course asked a lot of its 86 starters and only 12 managed to jump clear in the first round, many incurring time penalties.

Last to go in the jump-off, Harry, who was riding his father’s chestnut gelding, Vivaldi du Dom, had watched the early jumpers and decided on his strategy.

Stopping the clock at 37.74secs, he was the only rider to break the 39-second barrier and was a clearcut winner.

He said afterwards: “I had watched a couple go and could see there was room for me to take a stride out between the first two fences. I was going for a win, so knew I had to be fast, but felt confident as my horse is so careful. The jump-off course suited us as it had a good distance between fences and Vivaldi has a good forward pace, so it worked out well.

“I knew we’d been fast and wouldn’t be far off the leader, but it wasn’t until afterwards that I realised I had managed to shave almost two seconds from their time.”

Runner-up was Germany’s Calvin Bockmann with Carvella Z, jumping clear in 39.52, and third were Thibault Phillippaerts of Belgium, riding D Cancarra AC. Only seven double clears were achieved in the competition.

Earlier in the week, 17-year-old Harry Charles, a Churchers College pupil, had helped GB to a team triumph in the Junior Nations Cup.

Going into the second round, he bore the considerable burden of knowing that only a clear would guarantee first place. He did exactly what was required by posting a stylish clear round to give Great Britain’s Team NAF a well-deserved victory.

Clare Whitaker, British Showjumping’s youth team manager, said: “Harry has ridden exceptionally well at the show. As anchor rider, he delivered the clear we needed to win and it absolutely highlighted his talent.”

Peter Charles, Harry’s father and a team gold medallist at London 2012, added: “It was a great show for the junior team and to cap it off with Harry’s win and Jack Whitaker in sixth has made it all the more special.

“We knew we could win the Junior Nations Cup. We set our stall out and nothing was going to deter us. To win both the Nations Cup and the Grand Prix shows what tremendous talent we have within this age group.

“We’ve proved this week that we’re the best in Europe.”