Brilliant Will scoops first Supreme

Chelmsford rider Will Morton crowned an incredible Hickstead season by winning the overall supreme title at the Longines Royal International Horse Show today.

Riding Sarah-Anne Gunn’s eight-year-old lightweight hunter Kilcarna Brilliant, Will was selected as the winner of the Barberstown Castle Supreme Horse Championship. The pair scored 29 out of a possible 30 points from the panel of three expert judges – Tony Whipps, Alison Ledingham and Pearl Underwood.

Will, 26, has been a rising star in the show producer ranks, and today marked his first Hickstead overall title, just three days after landing his first Sport Horse Breeding (GB) Supreme Hunter Championship earlier this week.

In the supreme, Will made use of the open space of the arena to show off the horse’s excellent gallop on both reins. “He was fantastic. I put quite a bit of pressure on myself, so it was a sigh of relief afterwards when it paid off,” he said. “He’s just a fantastic little horse – he’s got such a great temperament, and he’s a proper little showman. He goes in there, pricks his ears, and says ‘look at me!’”

Kilcarna Brilliant has really come into his own this year, having also picked up the hunter title at the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting in June. “This year he has come out and been so special – he’s not as anxious, and he’s got a bit bolder now, and he just goes in there and goes ‘I’ve got this, come on!’ It makes life so much easier.”

In overall reserve was the Saracen Horse Feeds Supreme Working Hunter winner, Mulberry Lane and Craig Kiddier, who were close behind the winners with 28 points. 

Staffordshire teenager Isobel Hartswood-Collier and her mother Claire’s pony Beech Hall Ryan were crowned the overall winners of the Supreme Products Supreme Pony Championship.

The pair were one of six finalists to come forward for today’s best in show finale, and they were the last to come forward to do their individual show in front of the panel of judges – Tony Whipps, Alison Ledingham and Allister Hood. Aged just 15, and competing in the Longines International Arena for the first time, Isobel produced a polished performance with an impressive gallop to pick up 28 out of a possible 30 points.

“It’s quite daunting with all the people watching! I’ve never been in the main arena before, but he was such a good boy,” said Isobel.

Hickstead success runs in the family, as her mother Claire Collier won the Supreme Show Hunter Pony Championship at the showground 22 years earlier, and her grandmother competed here too. “My sister trains Izzy, because she’s always done working hunters and she’s been champion at HOYS twice. My mum showjumped here as a child, too, and it’s always been her dream to have a Royal International workers winner. It’s a real family affair,” said Claire.

Though Claire has had plenty of experience competing at the iconic All England Jumping Course, she got somewhat nervous watching her daughter follow in her footsteps. “I felt sick for her going into the main arena today – it’s a lot more nerve-wracking watching!” she said. “But there’s no other pony I’d rather put my child on. I always try to make sure she’s on kind ponies, because she has an autoimmune condition called Behçet’s Disease, so she can’t stand the knocks or being put on the floor; she can get a flare-up. So we have to make sure the ponies she’s on are really kind ponies.”

Beech Hall Ryan is not only a kind pony, he is also a true Hickstead champion. “I’ve had him since the end of lockdown, and he’s helped me move up to the 143cm classes – I was really nervous, but he’s just been brilliant,” Isobel added.

In overall reserve was the Peter & Pip Baker-Beall BSPS Supreme Mini Champions, Hightopps Black Magic and Scarlett Smith. 

Earlier today, Lincolnshire-based producer Simon Reynolds piloted the grey lightweight Copenhagen to top spot in the Surrey Envelopes BSHA Supreme Cob Championship.

“It was a very, very good championship. They were all very good examples of their type, and the judges had four very nice horses to choose from. He’s been a bridesmaid here twice, and so he’s been knocking at the door, but no one’s proposed to him – but today they have! It was nice to break his duck after three years of coming here.”

In the Enablelink BSPS Supreme Show Pony Championship, the title went to Chloe Heathcote and the 148cm victor Roseberry Picture Perfect. 

"When I got pulled in top in the class, I was over the moon – and then when I won in the Supreme, I was hysterical! I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much in my life!” said the rider, who describes Roseberry Picture Perfect as 'a great all-round pony'. “He’s so cheeky, but he also loves affection. His movement is incredible – it feels like you’re floating, and he always has his ears forward. He loves the ring, he loves being in the spotlight, and he’s everything anyone could want.”

Click here for full results.