Polaris claims the Horse & Hound British Isles Championships at Royal Windsor
A deliberate gamble by Horse & Hound columnist Lynn Russell paid off when Baileys Horse Feeds’ wonderful cob, Polaris lifted the Horse & Hound £3,000 British Isles Championship, the richest prize in showing.
In a truly electric atmosphere in the Sunday evening finale, an inspired performance under side-saddle brought Polaris ahead of the Ramsay/ Bardo team’s reigning HOYS champion riding horse, Soldier Brave.
Polaris, the winner of his open class at Windsor for the fourth year running, was chosen by conformation judge Jennie Loriston-Clarke and ride judges Allan Robertson and Pippa Stacey.
The all-star line-up also featured Otter Point, HOYS reserve supreme last year with David Tatlow; Ivy’s Dream, HOYS riding horse reserve (Robert Walker); HOYS show pony champion Jackets Maydream (Vanessa Rowland) and HOYS champion cob Tellytubbs (Simon Reynolds).
“It was absolutely magical,” said Lynn, who was third on Apollo in the inaugural competition in 2000. “The arena wasamazing and the whole experience was one I’ll never be able to repeat.
“He’s only competed side-saddle once before in his life – two years ago in the ladies’ class here – but I thought that in the Queen’s Jubilee year, it was a fitting thing to do, so I decided to go for it!”
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