news Berkshire showing team reign supreme at Hickstead

Newbury based rider Hannah Horton – part of Watership Down’s Team Ramsay – has won the championship showing title at the prestigious  Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby meeting on Sunday 24 June.

Having already claimed victory in the RoR National Hunt class, Hannah rode Sarah Ward’s former racehorse What Of It to claim the RoR Tattersalls Thoroughbred Show Series Championship in the famous International arena.

Despite a long and successful history on the racetrack with 23 chases, 19 point to points and nearly £10,000 to his name, Hannah said the 15-year-old gelding had been a natural in the show ring.

She explained; “The bigger the occasion the more he rises to it. He’s such a natural showman, a real powerhouse. You feel like you’re floating on air.

“He only started showing last year so this is his first full season. We didn’t bring him to Hickstead last year because I don’t think he’d have coped with the atmosphere. He can get very extravagant and then his trot goes like Valegro!”

His owner Sarah Ward trained him during his racing career, during which he was ridden by her son Tommy Ward who is now assistant trainer to Richard Hannon.