Will Edwards comes oh so close to a Royal International win at Hickstead
Thursday 27 July 2023
An early round from Will Edwards on SHW Candies B so nearly claimed victory in the Royal International Trophy at the Longines Royal International Horse Show, but the pair eventually had to settle for second place.
Fifty riders contended this 5* 1.50m two-phase with Will hitting top speed in the main International Arena on the Chacco Blue x Heartbreaker 13-year-old to take an early lead. But Brazil’s Francisco Mesquita Musa proved that bit quicker on Catch Me Marathon to claim the win by 0.48 seconds. Joe Stockdale eased Ebanking into third place.
Italy’s Francesco Turturiello denied Brits a win in the Royal International 1.45m speed, taking the win on Happiness by 0.98 seconds against 81 rivals. Joe Whitaker steered Icaterina into second with Guy Williams in third aboard Dalton D’Hoyo and Matt Sampson finished fifth riding MGH Candy Girl.
Though most of her competitors in this morning’s Hickstead RIHS Amateur Championship were twice her age, 12-year-old Lottie Adams felt nothing but calm resolve when she rode into Hickstead’s iconic Longines International Arena this morning aboard Evotion.
It was only after she delivered a foot-perfect clear round, in the fastest time of the day, that the emotions began to rush in, and there was a hitch in her voice as she hugged and praised the 8-year-old mare.
“I’m really happy, and I’m really proud of my mare,” said Lottie, who lives in neighbouring village Hassocks. The young equestrian has known plenty of success in the ring aboard ponies, but her partnership with Evotion – her first-ever horse who is known in the stable as Lottie – is still a relatively new one.
“We’ve only been together for a little bit” explained Lottie. “I’ve been on ponies all my life, and I’ve just moved up to horses – we’re both called Lottie, and we’re like soulmates. We won the qualifier to get here, but this is our first big win together.”
Olympic-dreaming Lottie was well-supported ringside by her trainers Chris Warren and Duncan Gibson, who are also busy equine dental technicians who treat horses around the south-east.
“My trainers always tell me to really go for it, so that’s what I did,” said Lottie. “I just live up the lane, so it’s very special. It was really good to ride in that kind of atmosphere – I really loved it.”
Tickets for the Longines Royal International Horse Show (25-30 July) are available at the gate or can be bought online from www.hickstead.co.uk. The action will be livestreamed throughout on ClipMyHorse.TV and Hickstead.TV, with additional coverage on Sky Sports and FEI.TV on Friday and Sunday.
Image: Will Edwards and SHW Candies B © Elli Birch/Boots and Hooves Photography
