Adams eyes mane event

Interview: Richard Long

WITH the 2012 Olympics looming brightly on the horizon, athletes across the country are now stepping up their performances in the hope of securing a place at London’s showpiece sporting event.

Three-day eventing star Capt Paul Adams (AGC (ETS)) is moving ever closer to the qualification standard following a fantastic year on his horse Algorithm, form which has seen him steadily climb the world rankings.

With victories in International Horse Trials events in Hungary and Slovakia already behind him this summer, the officer is eagerly awaiting the turn of the year when the entry requirements for the Games are announced.

But Adams remains realistic about his chances and believes the vast array of talent within the country could ultimately count against him.

“Qualifying for the Olympics is one thing but getting selected for Great Britain is something totally different,” he told SoldierSport.

“The issue of selection is always somewhat political. We are so strong as a nation and the riders likely to be selected are those who have already competed in events such as the world championships.

“Realistically it is unlikely and if it looks like we will not make it my focus will turn to the World Cup circuit.”

As well as winning in Hungary and Slovakia, Adams secured an impressive second place at the trials in Austria and enjoyed top 20 finishes at two international events in Germany.

Such consistency means he is on the brink of stepping up from two-star to three-star contests, a level that is set at the Olympic qualification standard and should see him secure a place on the World Cup series.

“This is a career highlight for me,” Adams said.

“I have ridden at three-star level but it was a long time ago. I have never had a horse with this much ability before.

“It is a slight step into the unknown but it is a challenge I am very much looking forward to.”

Last year Adams was ranked 185th in the world, a position that was due to rise to 120 as this issue went to press. His next target is to break into the top 100.

And with such positive progress being made the officer has been quick to praise the efforts of Algorithm, who continues to go from strength-to-strength on the circuit.

“I started working with him when he was a six-year-old who had done nothing at all,” he explained.

“He just gets better and better. He is a super horse who makes my job as rider so much easier.

“But he is definitely still on the way up. He is nine years old now and eventing horses peak between the ages of 11 and 15, so he is a good age.

“In this sport you always have to think in the long term. If he stays injury free there is no reason why he cannot compete at Olympic and world level until he is 15 years old.

“He has gone a long way in such a short space of time.”

Another key element in his success has been the facilities offered at the Army Equestrian Centre in Paderborn.

Adams said: “The military’s support has been absolutely fantastic, I cannot credit them enough.

“My chain of command are very supportive and they try to make my work as flexible as possible so it fits around competitions and training.

“Paderborn is a super facility, it really caters for riders of all levels and abilities and I think it is the best equestrian centre the Army has.”