Super-Bert's royal return

Beloved natives are the order of the day and two coloureds triumph under saddle

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A FAMED Fell who last stepped onto Windsor soil as part of the 2019 pageant celebrations returned to take centre stage in the inhand senior championship, booking a Senior Showing and Dressage Ltd (SSADL) Royal International (RIHS) pass, too.

Fifteen-year-old stallion Townend Schubert, handled by leaser Ellena Thomas, proved there is nothing he cannot do.

With his long-term owner Rebecca Penny, “Bert” was a multi-garlanded ridden pony. Aged just six, he lifted the mountain and moorland supreme title at Olympia.

Three years ago, Ellena began leasing him and the pair have appeared at all the major finals over fences. This year, Bert is unable to attend the RIHS as a working hunter due to a connection to the judge so Ellena decided to try for a senior ticket.