Danielle Heath does it again

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For the second year in a row, show producer Danielle Heath won the De La Hey Family Supreme Riding Horse Championship at the Longines Royal International Horse Show.

Once again judges selected Small Riding Horse victor Times Square II as their overall champion, with Jayne Ross and the six-year-old Large Riding Horse King of Clubs standing reserve.

“It’s a fantastic feeling,” said Danielle after defending her title. “Last year was a bit of an unknown, because he’d never been in the International Arena, so he was a bit on his guard. But today he rose to the occasion, and his gallop was just phenomenal. He really lowers and covers the ground, and so I knew that when we came to that bit, we’d be hard to beat.”

Danielle describes Guy Mears’ gelding as the “ultimate showman”. “He goes into that ring, his ears are forward, and he loves every minute – he loves the glory of it, and all the clapping!”

She will now bring him forward for Sunday’s Barberstown Castle Supreme Horse Championship, in which she finished reserve 12 months ago. “I’d love to try to get the Supreme this time – hopefully it’ll be third time lucky.”

In the Saracen Horse Feeds Supreme Working Hunter Championship, it was Craig Kiddier who got the nod on the eight-year-old Mulberry Lane. It was the first time Craig had ever jumped in the working hunter final at the Royal International.

“He’s just an incredible horse,” said Craig. “He’s lovely – like a big dog, really. He’s got a bit of character, but I like that, and today he just jumped the most incredible round. I’ve never won anything like this – ever.”

For full results click here.