HICKSTEAD REPORT
Longines Royal International Horse Show continued… Riders spend all year trying to qualify for the Longines Royal International Horse Show. The horses, ponies and riders competing at the show already are the best and to stand champion in any class is a privilege and great achievement. Here we share some of our favourite moments from the 2016 show. Laura Mantel wins SEIB Winter Novice Championship
Laura Mantel and Funnycan lead James Emblem and Skelwith Lady Delilah in the lap of honour for the SEIB Winter Novice Championship. Jayne Ross and Time 2 Reflect, British Horse Society Supreme Ridden Horse Champions for the second year running.
Laura Mantel beat twenty-three other strong competitors to win the SEIB Winter Novice Championship. Qualifying for the SEIB Winter Novice Championship began last October and continued all the way through to March. Eleven qualifiers were held at venues all over the country and horses and riders travelled the length and breadth of the country to secure a place in the prestigious Championship. The last chance to qualify was at Hickstead on the day before the Championship. Laura, who is from Reading, Berkshire claimed her Championship title on board Funnycan, a six-year-old bay mare owned by New Priory Stud. Laura and Funnycan achieved their qualification after winning the qualifier at Solihull Riding Centre last October. Riding with great accuracy and speed, the combination delivered an unbeatable double clear in a nine horse jump-off and finished 2.15 seconds ahead of her nearest rival. James Emblen from Woking, Surrey took second place with Skelwith Lady Delilah, a nine-year-old bay mare owned by Skelwith Stud and Anthony Asker. After finishing third in this Championship last year, James went one better this time.
Time 2 Reflect makes it a double
Having won the Lightweight Hunter and claimed the Hunter Championship, just as they did last year, Jayne Ross and Dianne Stennett’s nine-year-old by Cameo’s Reflection, Time 2 Reflect, dazzled in the British Horse Society Supreme Ridden Horse Championship, winning top scores from the judges and the crowd’s appreciation for their fantastic gallop to clinch the title for a second year running.
Dorian Williams Award
Martin Clunes presenting Steve Watts and Trixies Brenin Gwalia with their prizes for winning the British Horse Society Light Trade & Costers Turnout
The Dorian Williams Trophy is awarded each year to the person or organisation that has done the most for the Longines Royal International Horse Show. This year the award went to a lady who is described as one of Hickstead’s unsung heroes. Pat Owens has been part of the shows for more than 50 years, right back to the very first show, after founder Douglas Bunn had the vision of creating a showground to rival those on the Pat Owens receiving the continent. She was the first ever Dorian Williams Trophy show secretary, back in the days from Jennifer Williams when the show was run from the main house at Hickstead Place. She did this role for five years until her marriage to David and returned every year since in a supporting role. Known affectionately as ‘Pat in the Cupboard’, she spends her time at Hickstead in the corner of the office, efficiently sorting out rosettes, updating scores and recording past winners. More than five decades since she started helping at Hickstead, Pat continues to play a vital role – and the show would not be the same without her.
28 Localrider SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
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