Williamson claims a spectacular six

"Weekends like this don't happen very often" says a bewildered multi-winner

- SARAH RADFORD

Morris EC, Ayrshire

RACHEL WILLIAMSON had a “spectacular’ weekend, claiming six wins including a standout victory with Wicked’s Vancouver in a close-run senior 1.30m open, incorporating The Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP Royal Highland Show (RHS) young masters qualifier.

Great rounds from Charlotte Ash (Cali Star) and Chloe Templeton (Mizzella) left them lying in first and second place just 0.45sec apart, before a deceptively quick performance from Rachel and Jim Wilmer’s 18hh gelding established a 0.83sec advantage.

“I thought I had no chance of catching Charlotte, I didn’t even think I'd done it till they announced my time,” Rachel said. “He doesn’t look fast but he covers so much ground - he jumps out of his massive stride and doesn’t shorten anywhere.”

It was a repeat victory for Rachel, who won this class last year on her 18.2hh four-star event horse Kill Bill JX.

“I've ended up with three over 18hh now, but I also have some 15.2hhs,” said Rachel.

“Jim saw me win on my other big horse and said he knew I'd be able to ride him and now we have quite a few horses together.”

Rachel also picked up a ticket from second place in the RHS Johnston Smillie grade B&C qualifier with Jim's nine-year-old mare Dolivia REZ, won the 1.20m on all three days with her own and Jim's Fourth Of July II and won two 1.10m classes with Jaytana.

“We have kept Fourth Of July at Foxhunter level, he is a wee speed machine,” Rachel said. “Jaytana got stuck in a fence in July last year and degloved her leg, a week after Jim bought into her. She has only just come back and she really held her own.

“Weekends like this don’t happen very often!”

QUATRO ON FORM

IT was David Harland who beat Rachel to the win in the RHS Johnston Smillie grade B&C qualifier with Nicola Wood's consistent eight-year-old Murchacko Quatro.