William loses Burghley winner

Carole Hudson, owner of the 2002 Burghley winner Highland Lad, has decided to move him from William Fox-Pitt’s yard to her home so that she can enjoy a more hands on role with the horse.

“As an owner and non-competitive rider I like to have a lot of involvement with my horses,” said Carole. “Since William moved from Bicester to Dorset I have struggled to fit in the journey to see Highland Lad and Highland Spirit with school runs and other family commitments.

“I am sorry to have broken up such a successful partnership but my horses are pets in the first instance and competition horses second. I can only liken it to having a child away at boarding school.”

Highland Lad and his full brother Highland Spirit will now be based at Carole’s home in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire and Jeanette Brakewell will be competing them.

“Jeanette is prepared to work around me having the horses at home and she is a bit nearer, so it will be easier to box the horses over to her for schooling while I will undertake the preparation at home.

“I want to be able to go out at 9 o’clock at night and groom them – having them at home will enable me to do this.

“I would like to thank William publicly for all the effort he has put into my horse over the past few years and for one of the most memorable moments of my life – winning Burghley.”

• Read more in next Thursday’s issue of Horse & Hound (22 May).

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