Leon King and Royal Trooper maintained their good form at the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead on Saturday. After standing reserve here at the Derby Meeting in June, the pair went one better to take the Garrick Surface Coatings supreme hack championship in Hicksteads International Arena.
The choice of Ali Fernyhough and Jacky Beatham to head the large class earlier in the day, Royal Trooper has also triumphed at Suffolk County and South of England this season. He has great presence, and temperament to match said Leon.
The reserve also came from the large class, Simon Charlesworth getting the nod riding Gemma Russells second placed True Blue III. Reserve here in 2006, Simon is hoping to go one better next year.
Small Hunter
Having been placed in the small hunter championship with different horses for the past four years, Danielle Heath finally clinched victory with Pauline Binkss Sywannee River this time.
A winner three times this season, the five-year-old son of Lombardo came out of Gorsebridge Sales as an unbroken three year old. Bought by Danielle from Cheshire producer Jane Beswick last summer, Sywannee River was put away to mature.
He rides like a middleweight hunter, said Danielle. A true stamp of a small hunter, who gave an exceptional ride, said judge David Bartram.
Taking the next two placings were Magnus Nicholson and Michelle Underwood riding Derby Park Dazzle and Paddington VI respectively.
Stay up to date with all the news and reports from Hickstead on horseandhound.co.uk and read H&H full in-depth reports with photos in next week’s magazine (2 August, 07)
