'She's a little rocket'

An amazing Billy Stud auction purchase is untouchable and a Dorset "family holiday" proves profitable

- SARAH RADFORD and JENNIFER DONALD

THE "amazing" mare Billy Salute has taken 20 wins since the start of July for Emily Proud and she gained an amateur championships pass on her first attempt when she delivered the quickest of six double clears in the 1.10m second round.

"This year she's won more money than she cost me to buy!" said Emily, who purchased the Billy Congo daughter as a three-year-old from the first Billy Stud online auction. "She is like a little rocket," she added.

The pair led the class from first to go with an untouchable round - Bizzy Loffet, who finished second and third, was only able to get within one second of their time.

"I don't do that much showjumping and I'm not used to how it works," said Emily, who spends more time showing and eventing. "I had another horse in the class who had a pole and when I got back down to the ring, we had to do the jump-off.