Kasper keeps his cool
NCPA Lancashire Spring, Warren Farm EC, Lancs
A NEW combination were championed on their first outing together. Lyndsey Cox Birtwell’s recently gelded Fell Bybeck Kasper trotted to the RIHS young riders tricolour with jockey Aliya Khan.
“I bought him last October for my son who has decided he no longer wants to ride,” explained Lyndsey. “We don’t have a plan for the season but I won’t over-show him. He’s foot-perfect all of the time; my 10-year-old daughter hacks him and he’s just brilliant.”
Reserve went to intermediate winners, Megan White aboard her home-produced Connemara Thunderbolt Fairy Robin Bambi.
Robert Walker dominated the RIHS hunter ranks with Jill Day’s fine string of horses. Sixyear-old MHS Morning Master, triumphant in the Cuddy in-hand final as a three-year-old, took the lightweights and section accolade.
“We decided to bring them all for the experience,” said Robert. “They’re the most good natured horses. Master is a particularly happy, trainable horse and loves his work; he’s taken to the ridden job so easily.”
Next up, middleweight contender Mardi Gras clinched a red rosette. Robert first laid eyes on the six-year-old two years ago, when he won the four-year-old middleweights at Balmoral show.
The championship reserve went to the second-placed middleweight, 2015 Cuddy inhand supreme Romano Royale, ridden by hunter newcomer Harrison Taylor.
He bought the eight-year-old last September: “We saw him in the field at Jerome Harforth’s yard while looking at another horse.”
Adding to the Walker’s tally was five-year-old heavyweight Old Elusive Gold.
“I saw him as a yearling at Dublin and fell in love with him,” said Robert. “He’s got a lot of class for a heavyweight. He’s a big horse, so he won’t do too much.”
Finally, four-year-old small hunter Set Point – who is out of prolific lightweight View Point’s sister – landed the novice hunters with head girl Aimee Stunt.
Fellow Cheshire producer Vicky Smith scored a hat-trick, starting with five-year-old lightweight cob Cobsession lifting the horse championship. Cheryl Owens bought him as a threeyear-old from Reid Finlay and he was broken by Joanne Shaw.
“He’s a yard favourite,” said Vicky. “He’s true to type and gives a lovely ride, so I’m looking forward to the judges being able to sit on them.”
Vicky’s own beloved coloured horse Bart secured the RIHS coloured championship.
“He was completely wild outside but as soon as he stepped into the ring he knew his job,” said Vicky of the 10-year-old double HOYS winner.
Hayley and Karen Sankey’s six-year-old traditional Wystone Crackerjack, a former in-hand star, also won his RIHS qualification on his debut with Vicky.
“I put a lot of pressure on myself today, as I felt I owe it to my loyal owners who have stayed with me all year,” added Vicky, who’s recently back in action after breaking her leg.
“He’s foot-perfect all of the time; he’s just brilliant” LYNDSEY COX BIRTWELL ON BYBECK KASPER