Rocking start to senior campaign

A nurse and a firefighter are among the winners who triumphed with their senior show animals at Royal Windsor

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A NURSE steered her traditional gelding to clinch the senior ridden pony accolade, and a coveted Royal International (RIHS) place, the pony’s first in veteran ranks.

Ellie Taylor’s own Buddhist Punk (Paddy), a piebald 15-year-old, won a competitive class of over 20 entries en route to providing 24-year-old Ellie, a full-time nurse who is based in Liverpool, with her first Windsor championship sash.

“He is the most easy-going gentle giant in the world,” said Ellie, who juggles showing around long working hours, including night shifts.

“We got him on loan when he was a six-year-old, before eventually buying him. When he was younger he was struck down with sycamore sickness. Consequently, he suffers from several allergies, which means he has a very specific routine; he also can’t go near certain things that might trigger him. He’s high-maintenance, but he’s come out feeling better than ever this year.