Evergreen champion King tells youngsters not to get discouraged

She finished first and second and now has a 10-point lead over Badminton winner Mark Todd after the second leg of the HSBC FEI Classics.

Mary, 49, who came third at Badminton at Easter riding Imperial Cavalier, commented: “It’s obviously a good Spring for the ‘older’ riders but the young ones shouldn’t give up yet!”

She has made history as the first rider in modern times to win a CCI four-star on a home-bred horse, Kings Temptress by Primitive Rising. Mary also joins an elite band of riders – Ian Stark (Badminton 1988); Mark Todd (Burghley 1987) and Blyth Tait (Burghley 9198) – to finish first and second at a CCI four-star.

She jumped clear on both her horses and having ridden out of order on the 10-year-old Fernhill Urco, at his first CCI four-star, she knew she was unbeatable before entering the ring on Kings Temptress. “I relaxed a bit after going clear on Urco but I managed to gee myself up to ride Kings Temptress, as it was so special to have the chance of winning on a horse I bred myself,” said Mary. She also broke another record, becoming the oldest female rider to win a CCI four-star.

The USA’s Sinead Halpin made a stunning debut at this level, finishing third for the home side on Manoir de Carneville, which also earns her the HSBC training bursary.

Her former teacher and last year’s winner, William Fox-Pitt, finished fourth with Neuf des Coeurs, Australia’s Clayton Fredericks was fifth on the mare Be My Guest and Oliver Towenend was sixth with ODT Sonas Rovatio, at what was the first four-star event for this horse.

THE Royal Windsor Horse Show begins next week and organisers report that entries have exceeded their expectations. More than 2,725 entries have been received for the 150-plus classes, including a number from the Queen. Her Majesty has entered her horses and ponies in more classes than ever before – a total of 14.

There are over 120 showing classes at Windsor, including 20 showing championships.

Carriage driving enthusiasts, who include Prince Phillip, have four days of driving action to look forward to with the Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix.

A packed programme of show-jumping culminates with the Alltech Royal Windsor Grand Prix on Sunday, May 15. This year also sees the return of the Land Rover Six Bar Stakes on the Saturday afternoon.

Among the leading show-jumpers who will be competing are Laura Kraut, Huddersfield’s Robert Whitaker, Tim Stockdale, Geoff Billington, Tina Fletcher, Pippa Funnell, Tim Gredley and Mark Armstrong. Another new event for this year is the Inter Schools Showjumping competition.Riders from 26 schools will compete in this on the Saturday afternoon and young riders will also be taking part in the DAKS Pony Club games.

The show runs from May 11-15. For tickets go to www.rwhs.co.uk or call 0871 230 5568.

THERE was perfect Spring weather when the North Eastern Driving Trials group held their first event of the season at Escrick Park near York.

Drivers from across the region and beyond competed, including some making their first venture into the world of competitive carriage driving.

In the novice pony class, Halifax’s Tara Wilkinson beat her brother Ross into second place to take the top spot, with third place going to Nigel Patrick from Lincolnshire.

John Wilkinson, father of Tara and Ross, kept the family flag flying in the Intermediate Horse class taking first place, with Catherine Worsman, from Bradford, second.

In a strong Open Horse class, Patti Atkinson put up a solid performance across all three phases to take the lead from Steve Hoyle. Angela Flanagan, from Leicestershire, not only won the Open Pony class but also won rosettes for the best dressage, fastest marathon and lowest overall score in the competition.

Results – Pre-Novice: Peter Carter, Northumberland. Novice Pony: Tara Wilkinson, Halifax. Novice Horse: Teresa MacLeod, Leicestershire. Intermediate Pony: Chris Ainscough, Cheshire. Intermediate Horse: John Wilkinson, Halifax. Open Pony:Angela Flanagan, Leicestershire. Open Horse: Pattie Atkinson, Co Durham. Pairs: Jackie Parkinson, Cumbria. Tandems/Teams: Lynn Howard, Cheshire.

TICKETS are on sale for the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials on September 1.

The event will be celebrating its 50th anniversary and organisers are expecting to deal with a flood of requests, particularly for grandstand tickets.

To mark this special milestone the price for membership has not increased and there are concessions on other tickets if purchased in advance.

Burghley is the world’s longest, continuous-running international horse trial and hosted the first World Championship in 1966.

This year’s winner will receive £50,000. Many of the sport’s top names are expected to compete, with much at stake as Burghley is an Olympic qualifier.

For more information and to book tickets, go to www.burghley-horse.co.uk.