Equestrianism: King's win brings rich reward
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.MARY KING and her great 16-year-old, King William, galloped their way to another impressive victory yesterday, when they won the Pedigree Chum Masters section of the Horse Trials here. It was the latest of the pair's four outings this year in which they have gained two wins, a second and a third.
"I've been having trouble with his waistline, so I thought that this run would slim him down a bit before he goes to Saumur in three weeks' time," King said. She was not thinking of the pounds 1,000 first prize (a tempting reward by normal one-day event standards) as King William used his long ground-eating stride on the sunny hills of this lovely parkland. "It only came into my mind as we went through the finish," she said.
Matt Ryan, the 1992 Olympic champion from Australia, said that thoughts of the prize money prompted him to push on faster than he might have done for a lesser reward with Kibah Sandstone, with whom he finished seventh at Burghley last year. He eventually finished second, just ahead of David Herron on Custom Todden (who had the fastest cross-country time) and the reigning world and Olympic champion, New Zealand's Blyth Tait on Welton Envoy.
King's two top horses, Star Appeal and King Solomon, sustained leg injuries last year and are due to be scanned again early next month. All being well, they will compete again in July before going to either Burghley or the European Championships.
Mark Todd started yesterday with a ducking when Aberjack lost his footing in deep water (the level was subsequently reduced) but he had luckily come equipped with the dry clothes in which he later rode both Dazzling Light and Eyespy II to Open Intermediate victories.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments