Mighty Oak produces solid win at Hickstead

Sarah Parker waited 11 years before reclaiming the Roger's Truck Services Ltd BSPS Heritage Mountain & Moorland Supreme Ridden Championship today at the Agria Royal International Horse Show.

Her last win in this championship came in 2013 with Severnvale George, and this year it was Nipna Mighty Oak who took the tricolour.

Native pony producer Sarah has taken over the reins of the Dales gelding for this season from his owner Leah May, who finished fourth with him at Horse of the Year Show last year.

“He's so easy. He goes back to his owners to hack for a few months, and then comes back. He only came back last week, he’d been away since Windsor,” said Sarah, who is based in Shropshire.

Nipna Mighty Oak was bought over the phone two seasons ago from Katie Common. “He loves it in the ring,” Sarah said. “You have to wind him up a little bit, but he does love it!”

Jayne Ross landed the Sport Horse Breeding (GB) Supreme Hunter Championship at the Agria Royal International Horse Show for the second time in five years with the 'unbelievable' 11-year-old Twinshock Warrior.

Jayne has won countless Royal International titles over the years, including five Winston Churchill Cups, but the thrill of winning a Hickstead sash never diminishes. 

“You never stop wanting it. Particularly once you’ve won in this arena, you just want to keep winning. It's just so special. But today he was just sublime,” said Jayne, who has produced the gelding from a six-year-old.

The son of Ricardo Z last took the title here in 2019, going on to take the supreme title at Horse of the Year Show the same year. “We've been very lucky. He's just an unbelievable horse. I'll never get another one like this,” said Jayne, who is based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

“Everybody loves him. He loves everybody. He hacks, he's out in the field, he goes to the canter tracks. He just has a lovely time. He knows his job. He doesn't need drilling. He doesn't need schooling now, he just goes in there, does his job, goes home and eats!” 

For results click here.

Tickets for the Agria Royal International Horse Show (24-28 July) can be bought online or at the gate. Watch the livestream at Hickstead.TV