Innholdsfortegnelse for 22-May-2025 i Horse & Hound

THE great and good of the racing world have paid tribute to star jockey Rachael Blackmore following her retirement from race-riding. Rachael, 35, bowed out after a career that boasts wins in the 2021 Grand National, the Cheltenham Gold Cup (2022), two Champion Hurdles (2021 and 2022) and the Queen Mother Champion Chase (2024). A remarkable feat for any top athlete – and Rachael was the first woman to do it. “I feel the time is right. I’m sad, but I’m also incredibly grateful for what my life has been for the past 16 years,” said Rachael, thanking those involved in her career. “It was just a joy to watch Rachael ride” CHRIS RICHARDSON She rode her first winner under Rules for trainer John “Shark” Hanlon, who told H&H Rachael…

WHEN Louis Hine turned 18 last year, his parents asked him what he would like for his birthday. He knew exactly: an embryo transfer to breed a future polo pony. “My parents wanted to buy me a nice present,” he says. “I said I’d love it if I could do an embryo transfer out of my best mare.” His choice of gift was far from the norm, but Louis, who says he is “a fanatic when it comes to horses, bloodlines and breeding”, had an unusual first 18 years of life. To say he was born into a horsey family is an understatement. His paternal grandfather played polo, as did his father Andrew and uncles Will and Nick, while his aunt Sarah was a leading showjumper. His mother, Robyn, grew…

COLIC surgery is usually the only way to save the life of a horse with a serious gut problem such as a twisted or trapped piece of bowel. Some horses don’t make it through the operation and some are euthanised later because of complications. Understandably, owners fear that if colic surgery is required, their horse will never be the same again. Showjumping is a particularly strenuous activity, especially for horses jumping 1.30m or more. Vets in Italy have just published a study of showjumpers admitted to an equine hospital for colic surgery. Over a four-year period, 96 horses described as showjumpers were admitted for emergency colic surgery. Fourteen did not survive to discharge, but 82 were sent home to convalesce after a successful operation. The vets looked at Italy’s national…

ROYAL WINDSOR 15–18 May bethan.simons@futurenet.com Royal Windsor, Windsor Castle, Berks THE LeMieux hunter championship was a clash-of-the-titans affair in the Castle Arena with several of showing’s leading names vying for the title, but middleweight victor Greenhall Treasure Island (Larry) ensured producer Robert Walker came out on top for the ninth time. “David Tatlow used to say that a hunter should be a kettle that’s boiling but not spilling over, and that’s exactly how Larry felt today,” said Robert. “He had charisma and rode amazingly, taking me for the ride today.” The occasion marked a triumphant comeback for the strapping nine-year-old – by Island Commander out of Irish Draught mare Greenhall Diamond Lady – after a year off the scene. Larry, owned by Jill Day, took the young horse supreme at…

WINNING the not exceeding 122cm working hunter pony class was the Welsh section A Delami Bravado (Benny; pictured, left) ridden by Poppy Rowlands. The 10-year-old was the 2023 HOYS M&M working hunter champion with Poppy’s brother Ollie, who also steered Benny to stand reserve to Ruby Ward and Lady Dublin Of Corderry at Hickstead last season in the native ranks. Not to be outdone, Ollie secured his own Royal Windsor win in the 143cm plaited class with Connemara mare Dunran Love In The Mist (Lottie), having already stood third in the native equivalent and taken the RIHS pass on offer. Lottie’s owner Avril Kelly flew over from Ireland especially to watch the pair. “It’s just been the most incredible day,” said Ollie and Poppy’s mother, Fiona Aston. “We can’t quite…

A STORMING gallop sealed the deal in the ridden coloured championship for 10-year-old traditional pony stallion Chynas Top Deck and Vicky Smith. Owned by Leisa Woodward and produced by Danielle Garner, this is only their second time out this year, having already stood champion at North of England on their seasonal debut. “He was trotting around that arena like a middleweight hunter, just eating up the ground,” said Vicky, who finished fourth on him at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) last season. “I think he’s really coming into his own this year. You wouldn’t know he’s a covering stallion, he is such a gentleman and a delight to do. “We probably wouldn’t win any classes if I was responsible for getting him clean ready for the ring. That’s what…

MARTIN FUCHS and Shane Breen were competing against each other in the CSI5* classes on horses who share some surprising common ground – they’re full brothers. Martin’s Kingdom of Bahrain King’s Cup winner, Commissar Pezi, 12 (pictured), and Shane’s Cato Boy, 11 – who won the opening class here last year – were bred by Johannes zur Lage and are both out of the Böckmann’s Lord Pezi mare, Lady Gaga, and by the Catoki son Commissario. “They have a similar head with a star, but other than that they are a completely different stamp,” said Shane, who was competing Cato Boy at five-star for the first time since November, because the horse doesn’t travel with him to the UAE over the winter. “My horse is taller and longer, Martin’s horse…

HIGHLIGHTS 8–11 May Chard Equestrian, Somerset CHARLOTTE ASH bolstered a roll of form when she added an extra date into her trip south, bringing home victory in the 1.50m area trial with her “horse of a lifetime”, Irma Riende. The 12-year-old mare picked up two two-star wins in Bonheiden last month, and came to Chard on the back of another consistent run at Chepstow, to secure both a 1.40m open and the £1,000 feature class. “We weren’t planning on coming to Chard but they were all jumping so well that I thought I might as well, as it’s so far back home. ‘Indie’ has been on great form lately and a win was coming,” said Charlotte, who is based 10 hours away in Northumberland. “When I went into the jump-off,…

GLOUCESTERSHIRE rider John Westmore marked a career highlight, his first-ever international victory, in the Forsters LLP CCI2*-S partnered with his father Michael’s talented jumper, Oughterard Quality (pictured). The pair stood third after dressage on 29.1, finishing on that score to push into the lead. John said: “He could have had a little more energy in the dressage, but he didn’t make any mistakes and he jumped very well.” John sourced the OBOS Quality 004 son as a five-yearold via Ginnie Wellings, who now helps him with dressage training. John trains for jumping with Rowland Fernyhough and he’s recently sought out Captain Mark Phillips’ guidance for cross-country. “Oughterard Quality is cheeky but incredibly talented,” said John of the 11-year-old who has competed up to advanced level. “We have hit a few…

AS a coach, rider and highly respected showing judge, Will Murray is the wearer of many hats, but at Breckenbrough he donned the protective kind to post victory in novice section A. He described his winning ride, Linda Philipson’s seven-yearold mare Drumrankin Idha (Dora), as “pretty extraordinary. “I set her on autopilot and off she goes,” he said. “She’s the fastest horse I’ve ever sat on – she has an incredible technique over a fence and lands running.” Will, who is British Eventing lead coach for the northern region and will be making his Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) debut later this year as a judge for the coloured classes, fits in competing around his other commitments. “Dora is kept with her owner, Linda, and I ride her a…

HIGHLIGHTS 5–11 May Combined Training Championships, Weston Lawns EC, Warks VETERAN Irish Sport Horse Lady Jessicka, 20, retained her title, winning the elementary and 80cm for a second year with her owner of 15 years Julie Middleton-Reid. “She’s been a brilliant partner,” said Julie. “I was feeling the pressure after last year’s win, so I tried to ignore the scoreboard and just enjoy the experience. She did a lovely test and the judge called our partnership harmonious, which is always my dream.” After eventing Jessie for 12 seasons, Julie changed her focus to dressage in 2019 and has since taken the mare up to medium under the guidance of long-term trainer Ali Dane. “Jessie loves her jumping, so combined training has been perfect for her,” added Julie, who is working…

TEAM HARKER was also among the big winners at Nottinghamshire County, taking the small riding horse class and overall champion with MSJ Snickers (pictured), owned by Julie Brady. “He’s only had three ride judges so far but has taken everything in his stride,” said rider Victoria Harker. “He’s a natural and a joy to ride – such a talent.” Snickers, originally bought by Julie as a foal from the Mount St John stud, was in-hand champion at the Great Yorkshire as a two-year-old. Victoria said: “We backed him late last year, and he’s taken to ridden life like a duck to water. As a producer, it’s so rewarding to ride something that clearly loves his job.” They went on to secure the small hack and reserve champion with six-year-old home-bred…

Surrey Union, Peper Harrow JOCKEY Seb Mead enjoyed a memorable double, guiding home two seasoned campaigners for trainer Robert Varnham and the Gunshot Paddocks Racing Club. The first leg of Seb’s double on the day came in the conditions (level three) for novice riders aboard Imperial Esprit, an 11-yearold gelding by Scorpion. “They went a hard gallop early, and he got his head down and stayed on impressively,” Seb said. “Rob’s done a great job to get him back to his old form – he’s had a few niggles, but he always seems to come good at this time of year.” Seb has a strong partnership with the gelding. “He gave me a few winners last year, so it was great to get him back in the winner’s enclosure. He…

AN “amazing” 55-mile ride in memory of horses killed on Britain’s roads may help keep others safe. Three horses and riders left Lambourn last Monday (12 May) and arrived at Royal Windsor on Friday, where they completed a circuit of the Castle Arena to applause. The ride, to raise awareness of the safe way to pass horses, was a collaboration between the British Horse Society (BHS) Dead Slow road safety campaign and Project EDWARD (Every Day Without a Road Death), supported by Land Rover Defender, Royal Windsor, Thames Valley Police, MPs, jockeys and many others. “This has made a difference” LIZZIE GREENWOOD-HUGHES “It’s been amazing,” BHS director of safety Alan Hiscox told H&H. “The response has been incredible; the media and public have taken to the message really well. I…

I’ve barely sat on a horse in my life. Not since I fell off a pony when I was 10. I was lying there winded, and my mother turned round and said, “Stop lying on the ground like a footballer.” That was in the 1960s, when there were crunching tackles in football, but my mother thought that they were a bunch of sissies. I never got back on, but I was always interested in racing; I used to write the results down in a book when I was at prep school, course by course. My grandfather, Sir Stewart Menzies, was a big Beaufort hunting man and one of the longest-serving heads of MI6, from 1939 to 1952. He was Churchill’s chief spy. It’s always said that he was the inspiration…

THE value of a property can go up over time – and equally the housing market can fall. But the market aside, there are ways and means to add value to your equestrian property. When it comes to your home, it’s natural to want to put your own stamp on it, especially if you plan to stay for a significant period of time. For many, it’s part of the enjoyment of owning your own place. But if you know that you will be selling in the future, it can serve you well to bear in mind whether personal touches and preferences will add, or indeed reduce, the value of your property. Jonathan Handford, interim managing director of Fine & Country, says that adding good-quality equestrian facilities will play its part…

CLARE FITCH rode the 12-year-old pure-bred Arab gelding AJA Giuliano (Julie, pictured) to claim his first victory here. Clare, who has numerous Arab championship titles to her name at both HOYS and RIHS, has only ever won here once before. “This is the one championship title that has always eluded him,” said Clare, who is unable to compete the horse at HOYS this season due to a connection with the judge. Owned by Sue Robinson, Julie has claimed the championship title at HOYS in 2018 and did the RIHS and HOYS double in 2022. The overall in-hand Arab title, which incorporated winners from the pure- and part-bred classes, went to John Harvey’s three-year-old home-bred gelding Elmswood Star Struck – jointly owned with Sue Brewis. Handled here today by John, “Reggie”…

THE home-produced combination of Heidi Cooper and the 133cm winner, Dowhills Nuage Noir (Nigel, pictured), fought off strong competition from previous HOYS and RIHS champions to land the show hunter pony championship. Heidi’s mother, Rachel Cowan, purchased Nigel as a two-year-old and he has been relatively low mileage. “He’s seven now and has taken a long time to mature, but he’s hit the ground running this season, qualifying for RIHS and London International already,” said Rachel. “Things like this don’t happen to people like us. Heidi has done all of the work herself.” ONE TO WATCH Heidi added: “It’s everything I’ve wished for.” Standing reserve was the Team Helliwell-produced multiple RIHS champion, 153cm winner Merrycorner Mr Bui and Ellie Harrington.…

FIREFIGHTER Gabriella Cox secured an emotional third Windsor championship with her 21-year-old palomino Dutch warmblood Wolfgang Golden Symphony (Dante) in Senior Showing and Dressage Limited (SSADL) ranks. Having taken a tricolour here in 2022 and 2023, Gabriella was forced to sit out last season after they discovered Dante had a severe heart murmur. “I was absolutely devastated when he was diagnosed, but vets assured me that it would be better to keep him in light work to help him stay fit and keep his heart happy,” said Gabriella, who was on the British Young Rider Dressage Squad (BYRDS) and regularly competed in inter-forces competitions with Dante. Reserve in-hand was Liz Mansbridge’s 18-year-old home-bred New Forest Newcopse Tigger. A Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) finalist on three occasions, Tigger has…

ROYAL WINDSOR Grand prix jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Royal Windsor, Windsor Castle, Berks “I DON’T think there is another show where I have had so much success in a five-star grand prix,” said Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet, who landed the €125,000 (£105,000) jackpot for the second time in four years, elevating his game from last year’s runner-up spot with the magnificent stallion Bond Jamesbond De Hay. While past form certainly seems to be a predictor of success in this class, the contest was far from a foregone conclusion. Several of the favourites fell by the wayside, including Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs, who was denied his third consecutive victory when he tallied an uncharacteristic 12 penalties in the first round with Commissar Pezi. “I don’t think there are many times riders win a five-star grand…

93 starters, with 32 double clears 93 for Friday’s Redpost Equestrian Foxhunter 18 THE AGE OF DEFENDER UNDER-25 VICTOR OLIVIA SPONER 0.08SEC, EMMA MANTON’S WINNING MARGIN IN THE LEMIEUX NATIONAL 1.40M WITH VANILLA FUSION 3 mares contested the Walwyn novice’s six-way jump-off, filling the two top placings OLIVIA SPONER went one better than last year to top the Defender under-25 jumping competition, stealing a late lead on the relatively inexperienced 10-year-old Kookie W in one of the most robust jump-off fields this class has produced in recent memory. “It was really special to go one better,” said Olivia, who first jumped the class four years ago when she was just 14, and took the runner-up spot last year with Joe Stockdale’s former ride, Bingo Du Chateau. “I brought this horse,…

South View, Cheshire JOE TRUNKFIELD was very much the man to beat, landing both a newcomers and Foxhunter ticket with Corvette VH Reukenis Z and securing three of the top six places in the Foxhunter second round. Joe and Srikumar Balasubramaniyam’s big grey eight-year-old were just 0.02sec shy of the top spot in the newcomers, but went one better on Sunday to assault a 15-strong Foxhunter third round from opening draw, remaining an incredible 2.97sec out in front. “He is a machine,” said Joe, who initially rode the Cicero Z x Corland gelding for John Steels before he was later sold. “He didn’t do his first show until he was six, and I rode him then, and we qualified him for Lanaken. He was then sold to Srikumar and shortly…

HIGHLIGHTS 9–11 May Lucinda Green XC Academy Tweseldown (2), Hants NEW ZEALANDER Nick Brooks put a “very annoying” tumble last time out firmly behind him when he topped one of two competitive intermediate sections with Lucky Jo Jo. “I messed up at Cirencester and managed to fall off, so my main aim here was to stay in the tack and with the horse,” smiled Nick, who completed Blenheim eightand nine-yearolds last year with the now 10-year-old gelding, as well as notching up a top-12 placing in the CCI4*-S at Strzegom. He and Lucky Jo Jo, who is owned by The Lucky Jo Jo syndicate, added 10.4 cross-country time-penalties to their dressage score of 29.8. “I thought the cross-country was pretty meaty – you don’t want to come to Tweseldown and…

HIGHLIGHTS 5–11 May Nottinghamshire County, Newark Showground DARCINDA GF (Darcy) rose to the occasion at the 140th Nottinghamshire County, claiming a pass to the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in the Price Family supreme in-hand championship qualifier. Owned by Baileys Horse Feeds representative Angie Johnson and beautifully produced by Lizzie Richmond, the striking Dallas VDL two-year-old filly continues to exceed all expectations. “Angie rang out of the blue last year to say she’d bought a yearling that looked quite nice,” recalled Lizzie. “When I saw her, I thought she had something, but I could never have imagined just how special she’d turn out to be.” Last year, Darcy stood reserve champion in the supreme at Bramham, a result Lizzie didn’t think she’d top. “We only had three shows planned…

EL CAPITAINE claimed a seventh consecutive win when landing the 2m 4f conditions (level three) under trainer/rider Joshua Newman for owner Ivan Thompson at Edgcote. The seven-year-old by Mahler continued his impressive form in style, winning by 25 lengths. “He’s been fantastic,” said Josh. “They’d done a great job on the ground – good to soft, soft in places, which is remarkable given the weather. He goes on anything really.” ONE TO WATCH Despite a weakened field, El Capitaine gave a professional performance. “Some of the better horses didn’t run, but you still have to get it done,” Josh added. “He’s kept himself in good form.” Now a seasoned campaigner, the gelding needs little work at home. “He’s just ticking over,” said Josh. “He’s been in work a long time,…

Grafton, Edgcote, Northants ZAC BAKER enjoyed a superb day between the flags, with a well-deserved double for trainer Francesca Poste. The first leg of the double came aboard Kneel Diamond, a six-year-old by Diamond Boy. “They’ve had him since he was four, but I don’t think he was quite ready when he made his debut in November 2023,” Zac said. “So we waited 18 months, and he’s shown us today what he’s capable of – he’s only going to get better from here. He just needed a bit of strength. He’s still a bit gangly, but there’s no rush with him.” Zac’s second win came aboard Glancing Hill, a five-year-old son of Passing Glance, who backed up his Edgcote success in April with another commanding display for The Walnut Hill…

RIDERS must be educated in equine behaviour science, welfare evaluated appropriately and enforceable standards brought in. These were statements made during a discussion on sport horse welfare, in a meeting of the Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals, in the European Parliament on 8 May. The meeting was chaired by Intergroup president and Danish MEP Niels Fuglsang, who has been a leading voice pushing for tougher EU oversight of horse welfare. He has called for the extension of a directive currently limited to farm animals to cover sport horses and allow sanctions. The EU acknowledged concerns and confirmed it has held discussions with the FEI and others. But it clarified that regulation of equine welfare in sport remains with member states, and there are no plans to expand…

THE equestrian world has paid tribute to Anne Dunham OBE, who “represented the heart and soul of ParalympicsGB with passion and professionalism”, who died on 11 May, aged 76. The multiple-medal-winning rider was described as a “trailblazer, tireless campaigner for her sport, fierce competitor and inspirational mentor” – and always kind to and supportive of others. Anne represented Britain at five Paralympics and won 32 championship medals, 19 gold. She was appointed MBE in 2009, then OBE in 2017 for her service to para dressage. Her trainer and friend Pammy Hutton said Anne was inspirational: “She was the driving force behind me, pushing and succeeding to get para riders a pathway through British Horse Society qualifications. I was never sure who was coaching who! “She helped me, Charlie and Pippa…

SHOWJUMPING is to return to free-to-watch television thanks to a deal between ITV and the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT). ITV’s streaming platform ITVX will broadcast the LGCT Grand Prix of London live this August and show LGCT and Global Champions League (GCL) highlights for UK audiences all season. “This groundbreaking collaboration marks the first time LGCT and GCL highlights will be featured on ITVX, making the sport more accessible than ever before to a UK audience,” a Global Champions spokesperson said. The first action, available now, is highlights from Shanghai (2–4 May). All the remaining legs will be covered; Madrid, Cannes, St Tropez, Paris, Monaco, London, Valkenswaard, Riesenbeck, New York, Vienna, Rome and Riyadh, as well as the finale in Prague (20–23 November). Global Champions founder Jan Tops said:…

YARDS are often located rurally, with poor water supplies and some distance from a fire station. They are also well ventilated, packed with combustible bedding and often largely made of wood. Then add your precious equine who cannot escape unaided from a fire (vet clinic, 20 February) and the stakes are raised. All the components for a fire to be devastating and life-changing are present. By law, all businesses must have a fire risk assessment. This may be carried out by a team member or, for complex businesses, undertaken by a professional fire risk assessor. The risk assessment should identify key control measures to protect your business and your people. As a career firefighter, specialising in dealing with people and animals in emergencies, I know the value of pre-planning and…

SOMERSET is known for its cider, its cheese and for being the county you drive through to get to its perennially popular neighbour, Devon. What’s perhaps less well known is that Somerset also boasts some of the UK’s most spectacular countryside, including four National Landscapes, the Levels, parts of Exmoor National Park and a dramatic coastline. As Geoffrey Jones, head of rural agency in the south at Savills points out, all that countryside means miles of off-road riding options. “The wonderful network of bridleways and restricted byways that run across Somerset offer equestrian enthusiasts some excellent riding, with little or no roadwork at all,” he says. “In the north-east of the county, you have the Mendip Hills National Landscape, in the middle you have the Quantock Hills and in the…

THE KING completed a remarkable double in the Cleveland Bay classes. Bethany Attwell rode his St Ives to victory in the part-bred ridden class, and 13-year-old pure-bred Wyevale Harry (pictured) was partnered by Royal Mews liveried helper Isabel Oakley to win his ridden class. “Harry is a carriage horse and takes part in state occasions throughout the year, with the next being Royal Ascot. Winning here is a memory I will treasure forever,” said Isabel. FIRST WINDSOR WIN…

ROYAL WINDSOR Natives LAST year’s reserves for the Horse & Hound mountain and moorland (M&M) in-hand supreme, eight-year-old Cloverhill Magic and Jamie Frost, went one better this year to clinch the title. “Magic also stood second as a two-year-old that year and this is his third visit here. I have never seen him go better than he did in the arena today -he absolutely floated,” said his owner, Cathy Wood. Jamie added: “Magic is incredibly easy and laid-back so a big atmosphere like at Royal Windsor really works for him.” The outstanding Connemara stallion by Glencarrig Knight has made several appearances at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in the in-hand pony final and finished second last October. “I have never seen him go better than he did today” CATHY…

ROYAL WINDSOR Amateurs and coloureds ROSE BAILEY made a winning return to the show ring, taking the amateur hunter title with her own 10-year-old Bloomfield Greystones (Liam) just 11 weeks after the birth of her daughter, Clementine. This was the third consecutive win for the pair here and their second championship on the bounce -they finished reserve in 2023. “I couldn’t think of anyone better to get me back on board and in the ring than Liam and his producer Jayne Ross,” said Rose, a central London-based lawyer. Finishing second and reserve to Rose was an emotional Cari Goodridge aboard her own Kildalkey Lasrach, also produced by Jayne. “It is always just such a fantastic experience to ride at Royal Windsor and on a horse like him, who was a…

WILTSHIRE-BASED Brazilian showjumper Bruno Freire (pictured left) topped a field of 93 starters for Thursday’s opening class, the Redpost Equestrian Foxhunter. Riding the Drewmain Stud’s home-bred Drewmain Meira (Carrera VDL x Quidam De Revel), he snatched a 0.39sec advantage over runner-up Emma-Jo Slater on Kim Barzilay’s Kimba Luidun, with Jack Stirling completing a podium of quality British-bred youngsters with the Oakingham Stud’s Crunchie OS. “She absolutely loves the speed,” said Bruno, who got engaged to girlfriend Ashley Cooper shortly before making his Royal Windsor debut a winning one. “We had high hopes she’d be competitive in this class, so I walked the course planning to move on with her and with a bit of luck at the final fence, we got the prize – it all paid off!” Bruno left…

DO YOU WANT TO BE ON THIS PAGE? HAVE YOU WON A SECTION? Email eventinghighlights@gmail.com within 24 hours of your event and please include a contact telephone number Brechin Castle, Angus CROSS-COUNTRY prowess came to the fore at Brechin Castle, where challenging courses turned the scoreboards on their heads. “It was an old-fashioned-type course that had questions you don’t come across often, such as drops going into dark and a spooky water splash under the trees,” said BE100 section F winner, Freya Hartley, who steered Cillbhrid Fusion (Roo) to victory on a score of 34.1. “Roo is so honest. She’s a kick-and-point kind of girl and she enjoyed herself.” Freya recently graduated from the University of Glasgow and is currently working in a marketing role in Aberdeen. “I bought Roo…

HAVE YOU WON A BD CLASS? DO YOU OR YOUR HORSE HAVE A GREAT STORY? Email dressagehighlights@yahoo.com within 24 hours of your win for a chance to feature on these pages Inter County Challenge, Bicton Arena, Devon AFTER watching Lottie Fry’s 2025 World Cup Final win with Glamourdale in Switzerland, Helen James returned home determined to triumph with her nine-year-old mare Lisa B. She and “Lily” were crowned prix st georges (PSG) inter county challenge champions after a double victory at the level. “I thought, ‘I’ve got one of those in the stable,’ and came back inspired,” explained Helen, who bought the Glamourdale daughter four years ago to back and produce. “Lily is quite small, at 16hh, but she’s been growing in confidence. She’s a lovely, kind mare and easy…

HIGHLIGHTS 17–18 May Haydon, Hexham, Northumb DAISY WHITE and her 11-year-old gelding Killer Clown claimed victory in the conditions (level three), marking their second win of the season under the guidance of trainer Amie Waugh. The son of Getaway has proven a consistent and willing partner for Daisy, a first-year student at Newcastle University. “I’ve just brought him home for the summer,” she explained. “He went to Amie’s yard in November, when I moved up to Newcastle.” Having owned Killer Clown for a year, Daisy has been closely involved in his training. “I got to know him at home, and then took him up to Amie’s to get him fit to run,” she said. “I’ve been at the yard almost every morning – which has been tough on a few…