'Brilliant' Hunter does Hickstead double

Just a month after catching his first ever Supreme title at the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting, young Chelmsford show producer Will Morton returned to Hickstead to claim another hunter title, this time at the Longines Royal International Horse Show.

His wins at last month’s Derby Meeting and today's Sport Horse Breeding (GB) Supreme Hunter Championship came courtesy of the eight-year-old lightweight hunter Kilcarna Brilliant, whom Will describes as “Brilliant by name and brilliant by nature”.  

This week’s show marks the one-year anniversary of Will and Kilcarna Brilliant’s partnership, which began as a catch ride at last year’s Royal International when owner Sarah-Ann Gunn found herself double-booked with a wedding to attend. Will took on the ride at the eleventh hour, with the then seven-year-old performing well but becoming a little starstruck by the buzzy main arena.

This year, Will has been impressed by how the gelding has stepped up to the plate and embraced the atmosphere. “At the Derby Meeting he came in and said, ‘look at me – bring it on’,” he said. “He’s just eight now and coming into his prime, and he just keeps getting better and better.”

Owner Sarah-Ann confessed that watching as an owner is “so much more nerve-wracking” than riding herself, and joked: “I won’t be getting my horse back now – but they’re just the perfect partnership.”

In the Corroconsult BSPS Heritage M&M Supreme Ridden Championship, the honours went to Hannah Atkinson, who rode her mother Linda’s homebred Welsh Section C Danwood Llewellyn in her own main arena debut.

“I’m in absolute shock,” she said. “I didn’t expect that at all – I’ve never ridden in there, and I’ve actually not been to Hickstead in about five years! I didn’t even expect to win the class, let alone the championship – I just wanted to enjoy it and for him to go well.”

One of the last ponies she rode at Hickstead was Danwood Llewellyn’s dam, who was very similar to her “cheeky” son. “He’s a huge character, and he likes having all the attention to himself. He bangs the door if you’re not giving him food or attention; he bangs the gate when he’s ready to come in from the field; he’s in charge, basically! But he’s so much fun to ride, and he loves an atmosphere.”

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Tickets for the Longines Royal International Horse Show (25-30 July) are available at the gate or can be bought online. The action will be livestreamed throughout on ClipMyHorse.TV and Hickstead.TV, with additional coverage on Sky Sports and FEI.TV on Friday and Sunday.