PRE-Fusion horse Diamanté is an SSADL finalist

Diamanté is a PRE Fusion horse who has qualified for the SSADL finals at London International in 2022 — (Image credit: READER IMAGE)

PRE-Fusion horse Diamanté, whose owner brought him over to the UK from Andalucía after falling in love with him while on a trekking holiday, is set to make his London International Horse Show debut after qualifying for the Senior Showing and Dressage Ltd (SSADL) finals.

Virginia Draper’s 18-year-old Diamanté – who is known as Mr D at home – qualified for the in-hand championship at Onley Equestrian Centre in September. Mr D is the only Spanish horse to qualify for the 2022 championships, but he will be joined in London by Joanne Eldridge’s 15-year-old Lusitano Cayak, who is contesting the ridden finale.

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Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.

‘It was love at first sight’: Spanish trekking horse who rider met on holiday will contest London International

Mr D was bred in a small village in Andalucía, Spain.

“His breeder isn’t horsey; he had purchased a PRE mare to ride in the local ferías and months later Mr D came along,” continues Virginia. “Mr D was then bought as a youngster by Los Olivillos. He grew into a handsome stallion before becoming a much-loved trekking horse.”

Virginia first met Mr D when she went on a riding holiday.

“From the moment I saw Mr D shaking a paw it was love at first sight,” she recalls. “Los Olivillos could see our connection and after many riding holidays together in the Andalucían mountains a 12-year-old Mr D came to live with me in England. My dream of having my own horse came true.

“Since then, we’ve enjoyed six amazing years hacking, competing and generally enjoying life.”

Mr D, who is also a 2022 SEIB Showing World awards veteran of the year finalist, also competes in British Dressage and participates in Iberian demos. In the show ring, the pair focus on foreign breed, veteran and concours d’elegance classes.

“He loves attention,” says Virginia. “This year Mr D has looked and felt his best. I’ve built up his fitness with hacking around Hertfordshire and we also rode in an 100 mile summer charity challenge.

“This year I learnt how to tow a trailer and we have had the most amazing showing year I could ever wish for, as well as lots of fun on our adventures together. He won seven championship titles during the summer show season, including the Best of the Best supreme at H.O.P.E show.

“He’s my horse of a lifetime. Diamanté Del Rey translates as the King Of Diamonds but he’s the king of my heart, too. I’m forever grateful to him for making all my dreams come true.”

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