His Majesty The King was victorious at Royal Windsor Horse Show yesterday (11 May), with First Receiver, handled by Katie Jerram-Hunnable, winning The Tattersalls ROR Open In Hand Show Series Qualifier to qualify for the final at Aintree in August. Six-year-old gelding First Receiver was a winner on the racecourse in Her Late Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II’s colours when trained by Sir Michael Stoute.
With a total field of over 1,700 entries, the events showing classes got underway, with His Majesty having a total of 15 entries over the four days.
After a competitive Working Show Horse sponsored by Mr and Mrs Michael Rider, only two marks separated the first and second-placed riders, but it was Justine Armstrong-Small riding Sarah McKay’s 12-year-old cob, Castleberg, who took the premier position. Francoise Babington aboard West Point, a full-brother to four-time Champion Hunter and 2022 Horse of the Year Supreme Champion, View Point, followed closely behind in second.
Justine Armstrong – Small riding Castleberg – winners of the Working Show Horse Class. Credit: Royal Windsor Horse Show.
In the NAF Five Star Working Hunter classes, the Lightweight top spot went to Royal Windsor regular Libby Cooke, partnered by Katy Wilson’s homebred mare, Nelly Newton, while the Heavyweight class went to Norfolk-based Eleanor Hirst, who claimed a Championship riding her grey, Noble Gladiator (OB). En route to success, the pair only dropped four marks from the possible 100.
The vet judging the National Welfare awards noted: “All six finalists in the heavyweight working hunter section were of a tip-top and prime condition and worthy of the award.”
Rounding off the first day of showing was the Coloured Ridden Championship. Sponsors Richard and Lisha Leeman proudly presented their daughter Janay Atherden with the Coloured Ridden Championship sash, on the family’s home-produced Red Rock III.
Lead image: Winner of the Coloured Ridden Championship sponsored by the Leeman Family, Janay Atherden, riding Red Rock III. Picture credit: Royal Windsor Horse Show/Peter Nixon
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