Honour roll for amateur's star

An amateur rider lifts her first-ever supreme championship, fresh-faced novices learn their trade and a young Irish Draught scoops the top in-hand accolade

- REBECCA HAYWOOD

IT was a day Camilla Davies will never forget, being one of a handful of amateur riders to take the overall supreme at the annual Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain (SHB (GB)) championships.

“It’s an honour to win such a prestigious championship that’s been won in the past by so many famous riders,” said Camilla, who was riding her own Glenkeeran Dance In The Deep (Fintan).

“I’m so pleased that Fintan gets to join those famous horses with his name on the trophy,” added Camilla, who was continuing her winning streak from Royal Windsor where she was reserve amateur hunter champion. The pair were also champions at both Bath and West and Derbyshire Festival this season.

Here, the eight-year-old Crosstown Dancer chestnut went through to the supreme after winning the amateur lightweight section and the amateur hunter title.

“As an amateur and home-produced rider I have a lot to thank Fintan for,” Camilla added.

“We loved the overall picture,” enthused supreme judge Stuart Campbell, who judged alongside Mark Fitton. “The horse had great self-carriage and a lovely outlook.”

Reserve supreme went to the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) hunter champions, Timpany Imperial and Oliver Hood. The seven-year-old bay gelding, by Emperor Augustus, is owned by Julia Moorhouse and John Dodson and was the winner of the HOYS lightweight qualifier earlier in the day.

“He’s a lovely person, but you have to understand him and Oli is the perfect person for him,” said Julia, who has watched the pair win at Stoneleigh and the Hickstead Derby meeting this year.