Bramham Horse Trials 2018: King crowned under-25s queen in front of proud Olympian mum Mary

Already competing at her fifth Bramham at just 22 years of age, Emily produced a majestic clear round in Sunday morning’s show jumping finale on ten-year-old gelding Dargun to claim the CCI three-star under-25s title and ensure that Frenchman Thibualt Fouriner did not spoil the party for eventing’s young couple.

Emily recently moved from Devon to Cheshire to be based with her boyfriend Ecroyd who approached the show jumping finale as his girlfriend’s closest challenger sat in second place on Cooley Currency.

Ecroyd, 21, looked to heading for a clear round put knocked down two of the last three fences meaning Fournier would have taken the title back to France with Siniani De Lathus had King not produced a clear round.

But in front of her boyfriend and six-time Olympian mum, Emily kept her cool to land her first win at an event which she first visited as a baby whilst her mum competed.

“I’m over the moon,” smiled Emily.

“The horse, Dargan, was exceptional from start to finish and it’s quite a thing to finish on your dressage score.

“It’s really pleasing.

“I have been coming here since I was very little with my mum and to win here is a fantastic feeling.”

As Emily, Ecroyd and the triumphant rider’s famous mum celebrated with a bottle of bubbly in front of Bramham House, Mary beamed: “I remember her as a little baby here, pushing her around whilst I was competing so she knows Bramham well!

“It’s absolutely fantastic, I am a very proud mother.

“For her to actually clinch that title, all the younger riders coming through would love to get that under-25s title at some time and you have only got a short period of time to win it.

“For Emily to have done it today is amazing.”

Despite putting two fences down on Cooley Currency, Ecroyd still finished third with his other mount Master Douglas after their show jumping clear.

“Emily has worked so hard and she has come so close so many times,” said Ecroyd.

“I was just hoping it went well for and especially when the French guy jumped clear I just had my fingers crossed that we could keep it with Britain and keep it with Emily.”

Yorkshire’s sole rider in the event, Northallerton’s Caroline Clarke, produced a fine show jumping clear on Touch Too Much to finish in 11th.