Di Lampard and Abbervail Dream clinch their first Ladies Championship title at Royal Windsor
Di Lampard and her veteran partner Abbervail Dream pulled out the stops to win the prestigious Samsung Royal Windsor Ladies Jumping Championship in copybook style.
Twelve riders came forward to tackle the challenge held in the Castle Arena, which this year has been transformed into a massive all-weather arena, complete with stage scenery to accommodate the evening performances of All The Queen’s Horses equine extravaganza.
Seven combinations made it through to the final jump off, but no one could touch the magic of a combination on top form.
Corrine Collins and Robert Lickley’s Libra K set off at a cracking pace producing a round which looked like the winning one until clipping a pole at the last in a good time of 44.22 to finish in runner up position.
Amanda Edwards and Bit More Candy, formerly ridden by husband Carl, took third place with just four faults in 50.11 secs.
Abbervail Dream’s challenge was judged to perfection, never appearing to hurry, he ate up the arena and shaved precious seconds en route to a double clear in a winning time of 46.16secs.
“I’ve been second four times in this competition, but today everything seemed to go right for us,” said Di afterwards. “Although the course wasn’t big, that doesn’t mean it was easy because it was hard to keep the horse’s concentration between the fences as they were much more spread out than usual.
Di also paid tribute to her veteran partner.
“Although he’s 15 now, I’m lucky because the ownersdon’t put pressure on us and he’s not jumped week in week out. Touch wood he’s in fine fettle.”
| Read full coverage and results from the Royal Windsor Horse Show in next week’s Horse & Hound (23 May), or click here to subscribe and enjoy Horse & Hound delivered to your door every week. |
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