‘He’ll never, ever leave us’: versatile maxi cob wins third Royal Windsor title of his career
The superb maxi cob Brookdale Limited Edition (Archie) was right on song to provide his amateur owner Issy Mears with her first ever win at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in the amateur cobs.
The 11-year-old was pulled top and stayed top to win the class, which will be the third time he’s won at the show during his career.
“Archie won the open maxi cobs four years ago, and the ladies’ show horse class in 2019 with my producer Danielle Heath,” said Issy. “He really does it all.”
Issy and her father, Guy Mears, bought Archie as a five-year-old from cob specialist Michelle Jones:
“A lot of people wanted to buy him but I’ve been friends with Michelle for years so she allowed us to have him,” said Issy. “He rides like a Rolls Royce and is always perfectly behaved. He’s a lovely person and he’ll never, ever leave us. I have to give credit to Danielle and the team, who produce him so well.”
Issy won the Royal International with Archie in amateur ranks in 2019 and the grey gelding has appeared at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) several times.
“To add the Royal Windsor amateur cobs to the list is amazing,” she said. “Danielle will ride him as a ladies’ horse later in the day, and I can’t wait to ride him in the Castle Arena championship, too. It’s been my dream to have a spin in there for ages.”
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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.