The Young Ones

Five-year-old Championship

The 16.1hh bay gelding is by Duke if Hearts out of Annie Clover, bred and owned by Nicola Wilson's mother, Mary Tweddle. Annie Clover was successfully competed by Nicola up to five-star level, representing Great Britain at the 2014 World Championships.

Robyn moved to Nicola's yard back in January with her 4* horse Gelukkig and, following Nicola's bad fall at Badminton, has taken over the ride on the young horses.

“He was brilliant, I can't fault him,” said Robyn. “There's a big atmosphere in there and he rose to the occasion. We just came to have a fun and for the horse to enjoy it. The more people watching him the more he likes it - he's got quite an ego so his head will be even bigger now.

“Top 10 would have been amazing so to win is incredible – and it's great to be able to bring some good news to Nicola who has been so supportive throughout. The young horses I am currently riding are a credit to her – she produced them as four-year-olds and I feel very privileged to be sitting on them.”

Max Warburton's ride Morningstar Van Altrido was awarded the full 10 marks by Captain Mark Phillips for the 'wow' factor gallop final phase, as opposed to the winner's seven, but missed out on the top spot by 0.3 of a penalty.

Ros Canter and Silvesters Finess completed the top three.

Four-year-old Championship

Cupid March, owned by Jane March, Susannah Paybody, Susie Wood and March Stud Ltd, was the winner of the four-year-old championship on a combined score of 83.6. Excitingly the 16.2hh bay stallion was bred by March Stud.

“How cool!” exclaimed the horse’s rider, Piggy March, when asked for her reaction to the result.

“It’s always nice to have a horse in this class but this has a different feel, having bred him. This is a totally new venture for us at the March Stud and it’s my husband Tom’s baby. Despite being a stallion, he’s been a beautiful horse to ride and such a sweet horse to do at home.”

Cupid March is by Clarksville and out of Valentina II.

The runners-up, Cooley Cloverland, owned by Kate Walls and ridden by Ros Canter, actually finished on the same score as Piggy and Cupid March but had to settle for second place as a result of the winners having a fractionally better jumping score. The 16.2hh dark bay gelding is by Cavalier Land and out of Clover Light Girl.

Susie Berry and her own Take It 2 The Limit-sired Zingi finished third.