Spot On takes top slot at Hickstead
Heavyweight show hunter Spot On lived up to his name winning the Supreme Hunter Championship at this year’s Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead
The heavyweight show hunter Spot On (pictured bottom), owned by Mrs P Smith won the Supreme Hunter Championship.
The attractive six-year-old bay gelding by Atlantus, won the heavyweight hunter championship class convincingly and never looked like being beaten.
The show hunter classes were well attended, especially the lightweights with more than 30 horses lining-up for judges Mr J Chugg (ride) and Mr D Walters (conformation).
The sun shone as Kelanne Stud’s Mister McEvoy, ridden by David Tatlow wonthe lightweight championship. The seven-year-old bay gelding gave a polished performance which delighted his rider: “He really is special – and it isn’t just me who thinks that – he is a lovely horse,” said David.
In secondplace was the eye-catching chestnut Beamish III. Owned by David Bartram and Julie Warner, he moved up from fifth place after the ride.
Man Of Honour, (pictured top)who was second at The Royal last month, won the middleweight championship and went on to stand reserve in the supreme hunter championship.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Bred by his owner John Dunlop, he is ridden and produced by Guy Landau. The nine-year-old gelding was foot-perfect throughout and impressed everyone with his ground-covering gallop.
Kelanne Stud had another good result when their seven-year-old middleweight Ardenode, moved up from third to take second place.
Second to Spot On in the heavyweights was Jeff Osborne riding Clarence, while Emma Gibson’sseasoned campaigner Shelford Rupert was third.
Robert Walker riding the five-year-old Ferroch will almost certainly be one to watch in the future. Free moving and true to type, he was initially called in second before eventually standing fourth.
All six came forward for the supreme championship held in the International Arena.
Hunt staff delighted the crowd when they and the hounds gathered on the infamous Derby Bank, before setting off to lead the horses and riders on a lap of the arena.
After an impressive season all eyes will now turn to Spot On – can he repeat his success at this year’s HOYS?
Read other RIHS reports:
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
