Vanir Kamira
Horse & Hound|September 19, 2019
Piggy French on the nervy mare who has gloriously proved her wrong.
Catherine Austen
Vanir Kamira

“SHE’s a funny little thing,” says Piggy French affectionately. She isn’t talking about a young, novice horse — this is the 2019 Badminton winner and Burghley runner-up, Vanir Kamira (Tilly).

Piggy may have taken over the ride on Tilly from Paul Tapner in 2017, but she’s known her since starting the mare’s eventing career back in 2012. Due to lack of space at Piggy’s then-base, the “brave but extremely weak and downhill” Tilly went to Izzy Taylor for a season and then to Paul Tapner, who produced her to CCI5*.

This story is from the September 19, 2019 edition of Horse & Hound.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 19, 2019 edition of Horse & Hound.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HORSE & HOUNDView All
I've ever 'He's the best ridden'
Horse & Hound

I've ever 'He's the best ridden'

Dannie Morgan wins three national titles and the next generation of dressage stars rise to the occasion as one title goes down to the wire

time-read
3 mins  |
April 18, 2024
I Am Maximus hailed hero
Horse & Hound

I Am Maximus hailed hero

The Grand National produces a triumph of sporting brilliance, with several fairy-tale endings

time-read
6 mins  |
April 18, 2024
Evergreen mare takes top spot
Horse & Hound

Evergreen mare takes top spot

Familiar faces take top honours, as eventers impress and new combinations win championship titles for the first time

time-read
4 mins  |
April 18, 2024
A match made in Paradise
Horse & Hound

A match made in Paradise

The 1,000 supreme titles are netted by a much-admired 138cm show pony and a consistent heavyweight hunter

time-read
4 mins  |
April 18, 2024
McLean's dash north pays dividends
Horse & Hound

McLean's dash north pays dividends

The Scottish rider picks up a raft of Highland qualifiers and there's an unusual jumping test in Somerset

time-read
3 mins  |
April 18, 2024
Buy Some Time finds the winning factor
Horse & Hound

Buy Some Time finds the winning factor

A six-yearold makes a welcome return to form and some unexpected fast ground produces an epic clash

time-read
3 mins  |
April 18, 2024
A sash, at last!
Horse & Hound

A sash, at last!

Sarah Moy fulfils a lifelong ambition, a spooky superstar” retains a title and polocrosse provides a winning formula

time-read
4 mins  |
April 18, 2024
A win for Cesar and Claire
Horse & Hound

A win for Cesar and Claire

The VWHs Claire King battles demanding going to take the Wynnstay hunt ride on honest and clever” Cesar Et Rosalie, reports Catherine Austen

time-read
2 mins  |
April 18, 2024
Cognac
Horse & Hound

Cognac

This \"Jekyll and Hyde\" ex-racehorse never said no to a fence and had a definite sense of humour

time-read
3 mins  |
April 18, 2024
We've got each other's backs
Horse & Hound

We've got each other's backs

As part of H&H's 140th anniversary this year, we are celebrating Britain's great horsey families with a series of interviews. In our second instalment, we speak to multi-medallist Gareth Hughes, his wife Rebecca and their daughter Ruby

time-read
7 mins  |
April 18, 2024