The ever competitive SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse class rounded off the day at Stretcholt. The class was judged by Ian Smeeth (ride) and Jackie Beatham (conformation). Jo Bates riding Yvonne Jacques former group 1 winning racehorse, Grandeur were the winners. This was just the second outing of the season for this lovely grey who competed at Royal Windsor the previous week. Jo and Grandeur will be looking to improve on their 3rd place in the 2017 SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse HOYS Championship. Jo said: “He was really good today and went beautifully for the ride judge, we will probably go to Hickstead next for the hack classes.”

Qualifying in 2nd place was Hannah Horton riding Sarah Ward’s, What Of It. This combination have also previously qualified for HOYS in the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse championship. They took 5th place in the final in 2017. Sarah said: “We have to hope for an improvement on that this year. This is his third season showing following a brilliant racing career. He ran 45 times over fences with 19 wins and was ridden by my son Tom Ward who is now assistant trainer to Richard Hannon. What Of It is 15 now and looking absolutely brilliant, he does everything, we have taken him to hunter trials and done a bit of arena eventing too.” Hannah rides out for racehorse trainer Andrew Balding and competes in British Eventing in addition to the showing.

Results

1st       Jo Bates riding Grandeur
2nd        Hannah Horton riding What of It
3rd        Clare Poole riding Kings Grey
4th        Hannah Chisman riding Nicene Creed
5th        Helen Newbold riding Just Blue
6th        Steve Worker  riding  Quilnton