‘He’s a comedian’: rider wins RIHS Arab title on horse she’s known since he was a yearling
Clare Fitch won the fourth O’Donnell Family RIHS pure-bred ridden Arabian title of her career aboard the mannerly nine-year-old grey gelding AJA Gulliano at the 2022 Royal International Horse Show (RIHS).
While Clare has stunning form in this championship, Gulliano, who is owned by Sue Robinson, was lifting the title.
Lynne Lidbury was judging the class:
“He gave me an exemplary ride,” said Lynne, of her champion. “It was a really hard decision as the rides my top three gave me were absolutely gorgeous, but I loved the make up and stamp of the winner.”
Clare last won the RIHS pure-bred ridden Arabian title in 2019 with Mirv:
“Mirv has won it twice, and I’ve also won it with Patros HB,” said Clare, who rode Gulliano to win at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in 2018. “He was in the zone today; he can be a comedian but he looked to give the judge a beautiful ride. This [the RIHS title] was the one he was missing so we wanted to bring him and try for it.”
Gulliano was the ultimate professional during his International Arena performance, which Clare credits to his recent training:
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“He’s such a darling, but we’ve been doing a lot of dressage with him recently and he’s started to really move. He’s always gone well, but he now has that extra movement. I love him to bits.”
Clare and her partner, Steve McCormick, have known Gulliano since he was a youngster.
“We showed him for his breeders as a yearling, and Sue bought him from them,” explained Clare. “He lives with us full time, and we’re so lucky to have him.
“This is one of the best titles to win. I love the atmosphere here.”
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.
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
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.