Harry Meade and Sparky's Reflection with Alan King, trainer at the Barbury Castle estate
Wiltshire-based rider Harry Meade took the £2,000 first prize in the Retraining of Racehorses class at Barbury International with a versatile new ride, Sparky’s Reflection.
The bay gelding was originally trained over hurdles by Henrietta Knight but has since had a varied career with his owner Amy Martin, including Pony Club, hunting, advanced eventing – and galloping along the Norfolk coast.
“Having come from Henrietta, he’s probably had as good a start as any eventer, and he’s been a real family horse with Amy,” said Harry.
“He might have been a lazy racehorse, but he’s a sweet, charming character and I’d like to see how far he can go in eventing.”
Zoe Wilkinson finished second on Craignure and racehorse trainers’ daughters Kristina Cook (Watergate) and Harriet Dickin (Tilt du Chatelier) came third and fourth. As Kristina Cook completed her clear showjumping round, she was clearly thrilled and through a broad smile she said;
"Wow - that feels like I've just won gold at the Olympics, Wally (Watergate) tried so hard, thoroughbreds are such a generous breed".
Ginny Howe led going into the final jumping phase on Creeslough, but the horse put in an abrupt stop at a fence on a slope.
The Retraining of Racehorse Eventing Championships is sponsored by RoR and the National Trainers Federation.
