“ALL THE ELEMENTS CAME TOGETHER”

AMATEUR event rider Charlotte Andrews shed tears of joy on realising she had claimed the top honours in the Shearwater CCI2*-S section B with her horse of eight years, Millhollow Classic (pictured).

“This is my first international win and so many of my friends who know ‘Milo’ were so happy we had finally done it,” she said. “It was the first time all the elements came together on the day. He doesn’t really like his dressage, but he is a big, grey horse who looks impressive. Training with Tracy Woodhead has really helped us.”

The former head girl to Australian rider Sam Griffiths bought the now 16-year-old son of Limmerick from Georgie Spence and started eventing him in 2013.

“He’s my only horse and we know each other inside out. He can be a bit of a grumpy old man, but he’s a superstar and so deserves this win – it is our best result by far. I asked everyone not to tell me my dressage score and I had no idea we were leading going into the cross-country.

“He’s a cheeky chappy and loves his cross-country – he always shakes before the start and gets excited. He will be 17 next season, so I will just keep him at two-star level now – I think he’s telling me he doesn’t want to retire quite yet.”

Charlotte works full-time for the Smith-Maxwell family in Lincolnshire, where she also keeps Milo.

“I help manage young eventer Archie Smith-Maxwell and his team of horses, it’s a fantastic job. My time working for Sam worked wonders for my jumping and cross-country riding. He also taught me how to stay calm under pressure – he’s an incredible horseman,” she added.

The pair finished on their dressage of 29.4, with Gubby Leech (James Bond Van’t Akkerhof) in second and Piggy French (Cooley Goodwood) in third.