Sarah takes top horse show title

The ten-day equestrian extravaganza at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire is the culmination of the hard work put in by every amateur rider that has qualified through the two rounds of qualification competitions at over 65 venues throughout the UK.

Twenty-eight-year-old Sarah, from Rotherham, took the Showing Ridden Show Hunter Championship title with friend Sarita Schmid's eight-year old Irish sports horse, Spa House Calvados – known as Cal.

Sarita originally bought the grey gelding as a happy plod-around and with no aims at chasing titles.

Sarah said: “The first year we had Cal he was so big and weak we decided to let him mature for a while so only did some light hacking.

“In the second year we took him to his first show. He went as a lorry filler as I was taking a youngster and thought he'd like the trip. I entered him into one class and he won that and then took the ridden champion award and supreme champion of show!

“I was delighted and decided to take him out again a few weeks after where he won his class again and took the novice champion title.”

The pair now compete every other weekend, being placed in the top two every time and claiming a string of successes.

“He qualified for Royal London and won his class,” added Sarah. “He has matured so well and is such a gentleman to ride and keep, he is a pleasure to be around. We have had so many lovely comments about him, I'm overwhelmed by the support he receives.

“This was the pair's first year competing in Trailblazers.

“The whole process from qualifying at the first event to the finals has been a lovely experience as it makes it even more special getting to Stoneleigh because you feel you've earned it,” she said. “I will definitely be competing next year with Cal.”