‘MY MUM AND TRAINER’

A LEVEL student Lydia Ward , 16, headed the novice ride-off with 76.35%, on board her new horse Heathcliff III for the North Cotswold branch. The six-year-old KWPN is Lydia’s first horse after coming off ponies and her plan is to event him.

“He was very relaxed considering he’s so young and it was such a big environment,” said Lydia, a student at Dean Close School.

Despite one small spook in the canter, the pair pulled off a fluid, consistent test.

“Leo is ridden by Louise Scammell during the week, who has been fundamental to his development in his strength and contact,” added Lydia. “He was only cut last year and had a lot of muscling up to do, but is getting stronger each time out thanks to her.

“I also have my mum Jane Langdon to thank for looking after Leo and driving us up and down the country every weekend, despite having had two knee replacements very recently.”