The country's finest

The British Show Horse Association’s northern and southern spring fixtures see famed horse producers go head to head, racehorses adapt and cobs impress

- ALEX ROBINSON

BSHA Southern Spring, Brook Farm, Essex

A STAR of the future reigned in the cob championship. Richard Leeman’s smart six-year-old Love Joy (Duke) and Frazer Atherden first topped the lightweight Royal International (RIHS) qualifier.

Duke was bought as an unbroken three-year-old from Wayne Thorneycroft.

“He’s had limited experience due to the pandemic, as is the case with most novices,” said Frazer. “He gives a lovely, light ride and is a real trier; I couldn’t ask any more from him.”

The Leeman’s Kellythorpe stud has a string of promising young horses in their stables.

“We’re all really enjoying being back out,” confirmed Frazer.

Rosie Try secured the overall Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) championship, riding her own 11-year-old gelding Azert De Coeur (Bertie). Former National Hunt horse Bertie raced 24 times, and Rosie sourced him at the end of 2018 from Faye Helliwell.