THE Royal Highland Show (RHS) is one event Sandy McLean does not like to miss – so much so that he finished competing at the Blue Chip Championships at 11.30pm on Friday night and was in Cumbria the next morning to contest three qualifiers.
He justified his trip by winning the Johnston Smillie Accountants Grade B&C with Layla IV, also adding a onetwo in the Andrew Hamilton Coach novice qualifier with SES Jumeirah and Bingo 55, all owned by boss Matthew Pike.
“I got someone to take the horses up and I met them there on Saturday morning,” said Sandy. “It’s been quite a long weekend, with a lot of driving and not that much sleep!” He missed out on RHS
B&C qualification with SES Jumeirah, but added victory in the 1.30m open.
“He’s probably my most competitive young horse,” said Sandy, who won the Hickstead B&C qualifier with him at Arena UK in December.
Bingo, a seven-year-old who finished one second behind his stablemate, was added to the string six months ago.
“He is by Luidam out of a mare that jumped a lot of five-star Nations Cups,” said Sandy. “He’s still a bit green, but he has masses and masses of jump – you couldn’t build a fence too big for him. He’s 17.3hh, so it’s just been a case of getting him to grow into his body a bit.”
This story is from the April 18, 2024 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 18, 2024 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change