Empress commands a long-awaited win

A mare with strange travel habits gives her rider a coveted Badminton ticket

- ELLIE HUGHES

"I'VE waited 16 years for this," exclaimed school business manager Naomi Henderson, who secured her ticket to next year's Badminton grassroots championship with a win in one of three BE90 regional finals aboard her own Royal Empress By Command.

The seven-year-old mare has twice been second this season, but saved her best for when it really mattered and kept a spotlessly clean jumping sheet to finish on her dressage score of 30.4.

"When I bought her as a four-year-old I thought what on earth have I done," admitted Naomi, who revealed that her ride is "quite quirky" on the ground. “She will only travel loose in the lorry and even then she rocks it from side to side as we're going along, but once I'm on board she's fabulous.”

Furthermore, Naomi credits the mare for restoring her confidence after a previous horse who kept stopping had eroded it.

“We've made huge progress recently and have had a really good season so far this year.”

Holly Jessett and Lombard Lad also picked up their Badminton ticket with a win in BE90 section C, while Abi Scott claimed the remaining BE90 regional final section with her brother Harry Scott's Camlough Fabio.

At BE100, Ollie Rowlands riding Loughan Silver Shadow and Philippa Hendry riding Flyer Des Coupeaux bagged regional titles. For the latter partnership, this was the third time that they had secured their Badminton qualification at this Surrey venue.

“It must be our lucky event,” said Philippa. “Fly will now be wrapped in cotton wool!”

"SHE'S A UNIQUE CHARACTER❞