Agria Royal International, All England Jumping Course, W Sussex
THE exceptional partnership of Craig Kiddier and Sue Tennant’s Mulberry Lane (Obi) stood centre stage in the Barberstown Castle supreme horse championship, just 12 months after finishing reserve.
Craig and Obi - Saracen Horse Feeds supreme working hunter champions for a second time after jumping Kevin Millman's testing course - were fifth to perform for the three supreme judges, Philip Hilton, Joy Hall and Frances Youngs.
Craig began his piece by tipping his hat to those spectating, before placing it under his left arm. A few strides of trot on, he replaced it on his head and the show began. Obi went through the gears effortlessly, showing a floating trot and rhythmical canter, turning on the lightest touch of the reins.
Obi then shifted on during the gallop, to the cheer of the crowd, before Craig turned and headed towards the first fence of the Hickstead Derby route – a solid stone wall.
Their final total of two 10s and an eight put them on a final score of 28/30 and the following combinations of Jayne Ross and KBF Lucia (coloured champions) and Helen Baker and Boston Black Tie (hack champions) could not top them with their respective scores of 25/30 and 26/30.
“I’m speechless and I’m not usually a speechless person,” said Craig. “I needed to pull something out of the bag today. I didn’t get the best stride to the wall but – bless Obi – he picked up my hand and said, ‘I know what I’m doing.’”
Sue bought Obi as a threeyear-old. She spotted him at Dublin Horse Show and Craig got him when he was a justbacked four-year-old.
“He was actually bottom of the line at Dublin; he was such a raw horse with a big frame, though he had very correct limb,” Craig said. “He’s a true working hunter, a show horse that jumps. Wherever I point him out hunting, even if it’s probably a stupid idea, he’ll go.”
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