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‘He’s in the prime of his life’: third Windsor tri-colour on the trot for ‘powerful’ hack

Alex Robinson Alex Robinson

    • History repeated itself in the Count Robert Orssich Royal Windsor hack championship as last year’s winner returned to reign once again.

    This was Guys and Issy Mears’ legendary large contender Forgeland Hyde Park (Will) ridden by his Cheshire-based producer Danielle Heath.

    The Kilvington Scoundrel 12-year-old, who is out of the late Fernhill Park, was also hack champion here in 2021 when ridden by his former producer, Robert Walker.

    “He felt on fire today,” said Danielle, who has produced the multi-Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and Royal International (RIHS) hack and intermediate champion since August 2021.

    “I’m so lucky to have him in the prime of his life,” she added.

    Will gave a typically impeccable display during the large hack class in the morning:

    “He’s like clockwork in the ring,” said Danielle. “Everything you ask of him he just flows into. He’s so mannerly in a class setting, but when you get him into a main ring championship you can really feel the power underneath you.”

    When asked if she felt any pressure entering the Castle Arena this year ahead of the Royal Windsor hack championship, Danielle said:

    “It might be surprising to hear but I actually didn’t feel any pressure. As last year was my first year with him at Windsor I didn’t have any expectations, so the result was a bonus. I know him inside out now, so I am more relaxed. The crowd also felt bigger this year, which he just thrives off.”

    Danielle also watched Issy win on her own Brookdale Limited Edition in the maxi cob class.

    “This is the fourth time he’s won here,” Danielle confirmed.

    Reserve for the overall hack accolade was Helen Baker aboard Nicola Faulconbridge’s small winner, Boston Black Tie, a six-year-old who is also by Kilvington Scoundrel.

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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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