“Froggy” previously wore a Myler combination bit, and there is some confusion as to whether it is currently allowed under FEI rules. Kitty thanked employees of bit brand Neue Schule, explaining: “I went to them and said, ‘I need a new cross-country bit, he’s gone in the same thing for seven years, gags split his mouth, anything with a joint splits his mouth and I don’t know what to do’.”
As for this good result, Kitty said: “There was quite a lot of pressure riding on it, so I just said, ‘I’m going to have to go out and try and make it happen’. He went and did his bit and he is just such consistent horse.”
Harry Meade secured his first British CCI4*-L win, at Bramham, riding Annaghmore Valoner, a 12-year-old mare owned by Dinah and Stephen Posford and their daughter Jules Carter.
The short format class at Bramham had more entries, with some questioning the future of the long format, but for Harry the long format is the ultimate test and this win at Bramham meant a great deal. “It’s a special event that I grew up wanting initially to ride at and then to win. I think I first rode here 23 years ago,” said Harry, whose father Richard won the event in Bramham’s second year, 1975.
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Harry Meade and Annaghmore Valoner showjump clear to win the Bramham CCI4*-L in June 2024.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Tributes paid to very special pony
The owners of More Than Milton, a pony bought for £600 from York Market who became one of the best showjumpers on the circuit, have shared their heartbreak and paid tribute to their “life-changing” superstar. More Than Milton, who won most of the 138cm titles available to him, including the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) finals, was put down aged 30.
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Sarah has worked at an equestrian journalist and editor since 2004 and has held the position of Horse & Hound Editor-in-Chief since 2014. She has reported for Horse & Hound from major championships including Europeans and World Equestrian Games. She has co-written books on horses and horse sport including The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. She has owned and ridden horses since 1993, and worked for and trained with Olympic gold medallist event rider Leslie Law prior to going to university. While studying for a BSc at London School of Economics Sarah also worked for top British dressage rider Louise Spate.
