FOREST rider Gregory Hill hailed his winning horse Big Ben VI as ‘amazing’ after scooping a major prize at the Hartpury Showjumping Spectacular.

The Newent-based duo performed a lap of honour to Tina Turner’s Simply the Best in the Hartpury College International Arena after netting the £1,000 first prize following a jump-off that had the crowd on their edge of their seats.

“I have never had a horse that’s jumped as well as him,” said Gregory.

“He’s an amazingly easy horse to ride – he’s light in the hand and quick off the leg.

“He’s 18 hands and with him you get all the size and scope of an 18-hand horse, but you also get the rideability. He’s amazing.

“The most important thing is that he always tries his best. You can have the most talented horse in the world, but if they don’t try…

“But he gives me everything he’s got all the time and I’m very lucky to have him.

“I don’t think that he’s ever been in a prize-giving ceremony because he wasn’t the best young horse, but now he’s eight he’s finally coming good.

“I can’t believe it really, he just gets better and better.

“I love it here at Hartpury, it’s my local show because I live just 15 minutes down the road in Newent – I’ve just bought a place there. It’s very nice to win a trial on ‘home’ soil.”

Georgia Cabb, studying a BA (Hons) Equine Business Management degree at Hartpury, won the Senior 1.20m Open aboard the agile Uragan at the July 19 to 21 event.

Shannon Show, who studied a Level Three Extended Diploma Horse Management diploma at Hartpury, topped the standings riding Croft Elite Prospect in the KBIS Insurance Senior British Novice and Senior 90cm Open.

A beaming Nick Edwards was delighted to make a winning return to Hartpury, landing three riding successes over the three days.

“The courses have been lovely here all weekend,” he said. “We competed last year and it was brilliant, so as soon as the weekend ended it was in my calendar right away to come again this year.”

Phillip Cheetham, the Hartpury Equine Director, said: “We’d like to thank everyone who came along and supported the event, particularly sponsors NAF, Breeders Elite Studbook, Payrolls UK, Shaw Farm Stud, Voltaire Design, Three Choirs Vineyard, Kempley Catering and Just Poles and Showjumps.

“After a fantastic three days, we’re very much looking forward to hosting the NAF Five Star International Hartpury Horse Trials from August 8 to 12.”