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‘This was only his second show’: thoroughbred takes a break from hunting to win at the RIHS

Alex Robinson Alex Robinson

    • A 20-year-old thoroughbred took the overall spoils in the New Horizon Plastics Senior Showing and Dressage LTD (SSADL) in-hand championship at the 2023 Royal International Horse Show (RIHS). This was Gary Thorpe’s former hunter Twelve Bens (Henry), handed by Zara Thain.

    The big-moving gelding, who is by well-known stallion Beneficial out of Niamh’s Glory, is new to showing but he has dabbled in National Hunt racing and hunting over his lifetime.

    “We’ve only had him a year and this was only his second ever show,” said a shocked Zara, who was also making her debut at Hickstead and qualified Henry for the final at Trinity Park back in April.

    Henry now lives with Sally Greenlees, and Zara is a family friend who rides and helps out with the horses.

    Henry served as a huntsman’s horse for eight years, mainly heading out with the East Essex and Essex and Suffolk hunts. Prior to this, he briefly ran as a National Hunt horse.

    “He did race when he was younger, but he was never quick enough,” said Zara. “He came to us for a slower pace of life, and while he is still out hunting regularly, we decided to try him in the show ring.”

    Zara, who has ridden at Horse of the Year Show, is new to the in-hand scene, too.

    “At home Henry is a dobin, but when he gets into the ring he lights up,” she added. “He lives out, and he’s a very good doer who loves his food, which makes keeping him look so well easy.”

    Gabriella Cox’s Wolfgang Golden Symphony, a 19-year-old Dutch Warmblood, finished reserve in the in-hand championship.

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    Alex Robinson
    Alex Robinson

    H&H showing editor
    Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 since when she has cemented its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK.
    Alex Robinson

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