Foot-perfect gelding is top Lad

Senior horses and ponies are celebrated, while coloured show animals get their pre-HOYS miles in the bag

- ALEX ROBINSON

National Veteran Championships, Arena UK, Lincs

A CHARMING gelding didn’t miss a beat on his fifth trip to the Veteran Horse Society’s (VHS) annual championships to lift the coveted veteran of the year championship. Nicola Smith’s Glengoole Lad, 23, went through the card, after winning the overall ridden veteran title with her daughter Isobel Kinvig at the helm.

Nicola purchased Lad over a decade ago from Annabel Prince, who had produced him to the top in working hunter ranks. He finished in the final line-up at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

“He’s been a brilliant fun horse for both myself and Isobel,” said Nicola. “We decided to get him back into the show ring about five years ago, and he absolutely loves it.”

Despite an impressive tally in senior classes, this was the first time Lad and Isobel have led the VHS supreme field.