There's Something About Nigel...

A traditional gypsy cob proves he has the moves, while a youngster owned by The Queen triumphs and a producer makes her comeback post injury

- Penny Richardson

“THERE can’t be too many horses called Nigel,” said new mother Ella Souster after she and Helen Townshend-Ward’s Mr Nigel added the supreme coloured horse title to the ridden championship and 2018 Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) ticket they claimed earlier.

Mr Nigel, now 14, was an impulse buy for Helen, who runs a livery yard near Ipswich.

“My sister was over from Italy and we wanted something to do. We saw an advert for traditional gypsy cobs near Great Yarmouth, so we thought we’d take a look,” explained Helen. “Nigel was a very poor-looking two-year-old, but my sister liked him because he moved well. There was just something about him and I couldn’t leave him there.”

Nigel has more than repaid Helen’s faith.

“He lives out and does dressage and jumping, as well as showing,” said Helen, who has an extra reason to love her cuddly cob.

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a double mastectomy. Nigel helped me get through it and I’ll never part with him. He has a home for life,” she added.

Another coloured horse made his rider’s day when Carole West’s Gallifrey carried Lynn Russell to the cob title after winning the lightweight class and his Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ticket. This smart little 11-year-old was completing a double, as he earlier took HOYS qualification under Southerly Roberts in the ladies’ side-saddle class, which was won by already qualified Amelia Bevan and the thoroughbred Tiger Oats.

Tiger Oats follows the Berkeley hounds with owner Sharon Moss and Gallifrey is another true all-rounder.