Rio's regal victory

A new face of the riding horse scene shows promise, breeder's dream a run continues and a cob specialist dominates

- ALEX ROBINSON

A RIDING horse attending only his second show lifted the prestigious Queen’s Cup.

Matt Ainsworth was at the helm of Jo and Lauren Baker’s striking large contender Rio For Ever, an Oldenburg by Rock Forever I.

Rio only joined Matt in March and his first outing was at Royal Bath and West, where he stood riding horse champion after heading the novices.

“He’s a phenomenal mover and he’ll be a superstar,” enthused Matt, who last took the Queen’s Cup many years ago aboard the late prolific cob Colebrook. “He still needs to mature so we won’t overdo it this season, but I’m really excited about him.”

Matt’s partner, Charlotte Treleaven, had the pleasure of riding Sue Hookham’s twotime Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) heavyweight hunter of the year Dublin Street Fighter in the supreme, after Matt had landed the hunter tricolour with him earlier in the day.

Charlotte added to the team’s tally with Georgina Andrews’ Carnsdale Pure Genius jumped to the working show horse crown.