The Frogmore Arena provided the perfect scene for the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Tattersalls Thoroughbred ridden show horse series qualifier championship which was topped by the winner of the National Hunt class...
Emotions were running high for the connections of the fabulous Wonga Swinger when he was called forward to land the overall RoR title at the 2021 Royal Windsor Horse Show. The 11-year-old by Lucky Story out of Chippewa was ridden by his jockey of three years Tori Cannon, whose fiance, Sam Thomas, trained the lovely bay gelding during his time on the track.
“We got him as a four-year-old,” said Tori. “We broke him in and I made sure that after he’d raced that he didn’t go anywhere as I really wanted him. He’s been the ultimate all-rounder; we’ve hunted, evented and shown.”
During his racing career Wonga Swinger, won two hurdle races at Plumpton and Exeter, respectively.
“He also went chasing for a bit but he didn’t enjoy it,” added Tori. “He took to retraining so well; he’s so chilled and laid back. He also jumps well so we do the RoR challenges, too. He’s a gentleman to ride and he’s a pleasure to ride.
“I can’t believe we’ve won at Windsor, I’m still in shock. My mum and aunty used to show here years ago. They help me with everything so it’s amazing to come back and win it for them.”
Sar Cassidy-Hills Imperial Ruby and Sarah Gwillam took the flat class. The 12-year-old gelding by Imperial Dancer out of Aunt Ruby, dam of several winning racehorses, including a half brother to 11-time winner South Cape, raced until the end of 2011. In 2016, he was second at Windsor to non other than The Queen’s Barbers Shop and the following season he was crowned RoR champion at Hickstead in June.
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Former H&H showing editor and deputy features editor
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.
