Large horses pull their weight at the Royal

Large horses carried the day at the Royal Show, Warwickshire yesterday. Willingham Marie, a heavy horse, was crowed Supreme In-Hand Champion and Omega’s Boy, a working hunter, was hailed Supreme Ridden Champion. E Bailey from Cambridge, who owns the grey Willingham Marie, and Adele Hanson owner of Omega’s Boy were presented with £1000 cheques – the show’s biggest equestrian prize.

Both Willingham Marie and Omega’s Boy won the prestigious Supreme Champions accolades at last year’s Royal Show, under different judges.

According to judge Jim Yates, Willingham Marie won on the basis that she looked good from all angles. “She looks good from wherever you look at her and she appealed to all of us,” he confirmed. Mr Bailey was thrilled with the result: “This is the best result I’ve had since I was 12-years-old,” he said afterwards.

The Reserve Surpreme Ridden Champion award went to Trevaylor Tiger Lilly, a first ridden pony, ridden by Alexandra Hollings and owned by Mrs E Stanleick. Tiger Lilly had already been chosen as the Royal Show’s best First Ridden or Leading Rein pony earlier in the day.

Goldsborough Princess Royal, a brood mare owned by W Merryweather from Lancashire was selected as Reserve Supreme In Hand Champion with Vanessa Compton’s Castle Comet – a Connemara – as second reserve.

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