We are delighted to announce that Lovelocks Simba has been nominated for Horse & Hound’s ‘Horse of a Lifetime’ Award, sponsored by Agria. These prestigious awards celebrate horses from across the disciplines, and the winners will be announced during the ceremony at Cheltenham Racecourse on 26 November. Voting has now closed and we eagerly await the results!
Owned and played by Ollie Cudmore, Simba has played nine high-goal seasons including six internationals, and retired this year after playing to victory in the Coronation Cup, where England beat The Commonwealth 12-8. Simba was bred in Argentina by Charlie Hanbury, and joined the Cudmore family as a six-year-old in 2013. With Ollie in the saddle, he has played in international matches in Argentina and England, and also helped El Remanso to win the British Open for the Gold Cup at Cowdray in 2018.
“He means a lot to me,” says Ollie. “I’ve played for England with him in both Argentina and England, and we beat Argentina when I first bought him. Winning the British Open was also a highlight – I’ve never played a horse that loves it like he does.”
Instantly recognisable on the polo field, Simba is a treasure both on and off the pitch. “He has this big white face, and he’s very agile and fast, with a big character,” says Ollie. “He loves human contact and has always been the favourite with grooms.”
