‘He was happy all day, with his ears pricked throughout.’: Grand National runner takes showing win at Scone Palace

A former Grand National runner and Cheltenham Festival winner is excelling in his new showing career – picking up a win at the first Scone Palace International Horse Trials.

Ronnie Bartlett’s Stattler and Beth Clark won the Tattersalls Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) amateur ridden show horse qualifier, which was only their sixth showing class.

The 10-year-old was formerly trained by Willie Mullins; his biggest win was the National Hunt Chase at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival in 2022, and he ran in the 2024 Grand National.

“He was a very good racehorse during his time,” said Beth, who works for Mr Bartlett, a former owner of event horses and major sponsor of racing and equestrian sport through his company Albert Bartlett.

“I was so honoured when Ronnie gave me the opportunity to produce him, though this is also my first season in showing.”

Beth said Stattler went on loan after he retired in 2024, then had some time off in the field.

“He makes it easy for me,” she said. “He’s really taken to showing. He’s an absolute gem and a pleasure to produce.

“He didn’t get himself wound up at all and he was happy all day, performing with his ears pricked throughout.

“We hope he could go all the way and while he’s still learning I’d love to qualify him for one of the big RoR finals in the future.”

Hazel McArthur won the open RoR class with her own Wardaddy, who ran once on the Flat and has had showing success ever since.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Do you ride a retrained racehorse? Check out the competition series and championships exclusive to you

Delight as ‘world-class’ international event secured to replace Blair

‘He’s loving life’: quirky former racehorse who faced being put to sleep excels in his second-chance home

Meet the former racehorse with a penchant for Classic FM who is helping prisoners and young people

The major UK horse trials that eventing fans shouldn’t miss in 2026

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now