Walkers sweep the board in Supreme Hunter

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Cheshire show producer Robert Walker had a day to remember at the Agria Royal International Horse Show, winning all three hunter divisions as well as taking the championship and reserve in the Sport Horse Breeding (GB) Supreme Hunter Championship.

In the championship Robert elected to ride the middleweight victor Greenhall Treasure Island, wife Sarah rode the heavyweight winner IJ Countryman, while their son Sam, 20, took over the ride on lightweight winner Flash Point.

In the end it was Flash Point that got the nod from the judges Michelle Underwood, Richard Mills and Shane Breen, with Greenhall Treasure Island standing reserve.

“We’ve worked so hard to get all three horses ready for this. When they won their classes, we thought ‘this can’t get any better!’, and then to be Supreme and Reserve – it’s fantastic,” said a delighted Robert.

Jill Day’s six-year-old Flash Point is the half-brother of View Point who was Hunter champion twice, and went overall supreme in 2022.

“He was really good, this horse really just steps up to the job,” said winning rider Sam. “The same thing happened last year at the national championships: Dad had a couple of winners, and I stepped into the championship with this horse and beat him.”

Robert had been feeling a bit of pressure in the run up to today. “When you’ve won it before, you’ve got to try and emulate it. But this couldn’t have gone any better; the whole day was unbelievable. The staff have worked so hard today – they’ve been up since half past two this morning, and it’s been a real team effort to get these horses ready and sorted.”

The Equine Giveaways BSPS Heritage M&M Supreme Ridden Championship went to the eight-year-old Welsh Section B mare Waxwing Perlena, ridden by Samantha Taylor. "I'm speechless!" she said afterwards. "She's amazing. She's just such a sweet pony, and she's so easy to ride - you can get on her and take her anywhere. You could put any kid on her and trust her."

The Agria Royal International Horse Show takes place at Hickstead in West Sussex from 23-27 July. Tickets are available at the gate or online. The action will also be shown live on ClipMyHorse.TV.