Robert Walker claimed the Alan Marnie Meta Lounge Ltd SHB (GB) Supreme Hunter Championship aboard Full Cry at the 2026 Agria Royal International Horse Show, steering the outstanding seven-year-old to his first Hickstead victory.
Owned by Jill Day, the gelding qualified for the supreme after winning the middleweight hunter championship, adding another major success to a fantastic run that included the supreme hunter title at the Great Yorkshire Show just a week earlier.
"This is his first win here," said Walker. "We've got two lovely middleweights, including Greenhall Treasure Island, who won here in 2023 and 2024, but this year we decided it was his turn.
"Last week he was supreme hunter at the Great Yorkshire Show, which was the first really big show where we'd asked a lot of him, and he answered every question. He's proved he's stepped up another level."
Full Cry impressed ride judge Sir Mark Todd on his way to the supreme hunter title
(Image credit: Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves)
Robert explained that owner Jill Day bought Full Cry as a two-year-old in Ireland before the Walker team patiently produced him through the ranks.
"He's by the talented showjumping stallion Balou du Rouet, out of an OBOS Quality mare. He was bred to win Badminton Horse Trials or the World Cup, but our wonderful owner loves her show horses. She allowed us to bring him on slowly and he was virtually unbeaten as a novice.
"He's had a fantastic year and now I've got to take this one to Horse of the Year Show."
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Alan Marnie Meta Lounge Ltd SHB (GB) Supreme Hunter reserve champion
Reserve supreme honours went to IJ Countryman, the seven-year-old grey winner of the Alan Marnie Meta Lounge Ltd SHB (GB) Heavyweight Hunter Championship, ridden by Robert Walker but presented by his wife Sarah in the supreme.
The partnership repeated last year's heavyweight success before going on to complete the double by winning at Horse of the Year Show.
"He's a big horse, but he's probably the easiest one I've ever ridden," said Robert. "He rides like a small hunter."
Kim is a Scotland-based freelance equestrian journalist who writes for Horse & Hound and The Scottish Farmer, reporting from many of the UK’s leading showing championships, including the Royal International Horse Show, Horse of the Year Show, Royal Highland Show and Royal Windsor Horse Show. Alongside her journalism, Kim produces and campaigns show ponies for her daughter, Charlotte, giving her first-hand insight into the sport from both a competitor’s and reporter’s perspective.
