Glorious return for Oliver

Teamwork makes the dream work for one showing royalist, who returns to the ring in triumph after a particularly turbulent year

- TRICIA JOHNSON

CLAIRE OLIVER made a fairytale return to the show ring to win, take her Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ticket and stand champion with Susan Granger’s lightweight cob Freddie Kruger.

This was Claire’s first outing since a freak accident on the road in late March left her with a fractured pelvis and collarbone – and it was Freddie’s first appearance in the ring since 2019.

Claire, who only started riding again three weeks ago, was already on a high here as Susan’s exciting middleweight hunter Cudlic Spartacus (Sparky) was third in the 11-strong middleweight division.

“I just hoped they would both go well, as the Three Counties Show holds so many happy memories for us,” reflected Claire, who was quick to credit the behind-the-scenes help she has received in recent months.

“My head girl Sophie Headley Ward has done a fantastic job keeping the horses going, and Jess Cronk – who used to work for Robert [Oliver] – helped for a while, too,” she said. “Matthew Ainsworth has also been an amazing support, as has David Puttock.”

Matthew was himself to the fore in hunter ranks where his ride, Sue Hookham’s recent purchase, the awesome heavyweight Dublins Street Fighter (James), gave the all-conquering Walker/Day team a close run to stand reserve.

Excellent classes filled the main ring with many horses clearly relishing the chance for a decent spin on grass. There was no denying Rob Walker and MHS Morning Master, who headed 15 lightweights throughout and claimed the title with a typically blistering gallop.

James was also an emphatic class winner, though – every inch a true heavyweight with bone, quality, type and presence in abundance.