Talbot

Diana Ralph MFH’s show jumping bred “gentle giant” has endless scope and is happiest leading the field

- Diana Ralph

WHEN Diana Ralph reveals that Talbot’s “proper” name is Goliat Z, it’s no surprise that she admits she’s never measured the towering chestnut.

“He’s far too big for me at 17hh-plus – I have to stand on his feed bin to put his bridle on,” admits the diminutive Diana.

“I bought him from Martin and Suzanne Sadler and I remember, when I went to Allenshill show centre to try him, not being able to canter a 20-metre circle before I went into the ring. Graham Law had done a bit of eventing on him, so Talbot [so named as his previous owner had bought him while in The Talbot pub in Knightwick] was used to long legs.”