Caloubet whisks Smith to sixth win
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.Robert Smith extended his remarkable run of successes to six victories at the Horse of the Year Show yesterday, when he rode Senator Caloubet du Rouet to a wonderfully swift and nimble clear round to take the Speed Horse of the Year title.
Robert Smith extended his remarkable run of successes to six victories at the Horse of the Year Show yesterday, when he rode Senator Caloubet du Rouet to a wonderfully swift and nimble clear round to take the Speed Horse of the Year title.
"If I kept him to speed competitions, he'd win class after class," Smith said of the horse, who has proved himself good enough to tackle grand prix and Nations' Cup courses as well as jumping at speed.
Caloubet had won here last Wednesday, but he had both parts of the double down in Friday night's Leading Show Jumper of the Year. These mistakes came after he spooked at the glittering silver trophy, which stood on a plinth by the first fence and cast spots of light on the floor.
Back to his brilliant best yesterday, the 10-year-old defeated Germany's Heinrich- Hermann Engemann on Hollywood and Ireland's Billy Twomey on Sublime. Twomey's mount, formerly partnered by Nick Skelton, had also given the Irishman a victory at each of the two Hickstead meetings this year.
Robert Smith's other wins were achieved with six-year-old Marius Claudius and seven-year-old Mr Springfield, who both won twice. Mr Springfield only five fences down during the whole of last year.
Anton Owens, who comes from Anglesey in Wales, was competing at Wembley for the first time when he won yesterday's Paul Fabrications Junior Show Jumper of the Year with the only clear round of the jump-off.
Owens has been riding the winning eight-year-old pony, Phearless Phantom, for five years. The rider is now 16 - and will therefore be out of pony classes next year - so the bay gelding will be passed on to his 12-year-old sister, Siobhan, while he concentrates on novice horses.
The British-based South African rider, David McPherson, became the outright winner of the Puissance on Saturday night when his Shearwater Baghera was the only horse to clear the wall at 6ft 9in.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments