Mulberry Lane lands Working Hunter hat-trick

Craig Kiddier made it a perfect hat-trick of titles with Susan Tennant’s peerless 10-year-old Mulberry Lane, dominating the Baileys Horse Feeds Supreme Working Hunter Championship for the third consecutive term.

“Every year I’ve thought ‘Surely I can’t do it again’ but he comes here and loves it,” Craig said. “Today was probably the best round he’s jumped in the three years he’s been here.

“Other horses like him just aren’t around,” he added. “He’s a show horse that jumps and that’s what a true working hunter should be.”

Last year the Nottinghamshire pair went on to claim the Barberstown Castle Supreme Horse Championship, and are preparing to defend their title on Sunday - so Craig is already planning how to impress the judges in the individual show. “Last year I jumped The Cornishman but I had a really bad stride and he was very good to me,” Craig said. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do yet — I don’t want it to go wrong! I’d like to jump the open water but I’m not sure if they’d let me!”

The Obos Quality gelding enjoyed an extended lap of honour after today’s triumph, accompanying the Crawley and Horsham Foxhounds. “He loves hounds and we go hunting quite a lot. The minute he saw them come in on the top of the bank, he was like, ‘Oh, I know what’s happening here!’ He was definitely on the end of the reins on that lap of honour,” he said.

Craig also fulfilled a special request on his trip round the International Arena — carrying some of the ashes of equestrian reporter Margaret Shaw, whose memorial service was held at the show yesterday.

“Margaret’s daughter Heather told me Margaret was a big fan of ‘Obie’ and asked if I would take her for a spin around the working hunter. It actually choked me up a bit. I did say ‘I hope she’ll be lucky for me’ and she was.”

Danielle Heath extended her reign in the De La Hey Family Supreme Riding Horse Championship claiming the title for the third time in four years with Guy Mears’ flamboyant showman Times Square II.

“It still feels just as special winning here as it did the first time,” said Cheshire-based Danielle, who has produced the 12-year-old gelding from a four-year-old.

The son of Willowcroft Regal Bronze is known as “Monkey” at home, because of his cheeky nature. “He loves people, he’s in everybody’s face when they come to see him. If he could, he’d come and sit on the sofa and watch TV with you. He’s a great character,” she said.

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