It was an exciting finish in The Barberstown Castle Supreme Ridden Horse Championship with the trio of judges giving Robert Walker and Flash Point a score of 29 after their individual show, to tie with last year’s winners, Craig Kiddier and Mulberry Lane.

Nottinghamshire based Craig and Robert then did a ‘ride-off’ for honours, with both riders showcasing their horses’ balance, manners and impressive gallops. Once again, Mulberry Lane – the winner of the Baileys Horse Feeds Supreme Working Hunter Championship – showed off his hunting credentials by jumping a fence in the International Arena. Last year the pair had impressed the crowd by jumping the Cornishman, this year it was the privet hedge – and once again, Mulberry Lane made it look easy.

After much deliberation, it was the 2024 victors who got the nod from the judges, giving them the title for the second year in a row.

“To be honest, it’s another world. I never thought we’d do it again after last year. And then, to do a ride-off – I’d never done one before, and I thought, oh no, what do I do?” said Craig.

As for jumping another of the famous Al Shira’aa Derby fences, Craig had had to put in a special request with Show Director Lizzie Bunn. “We’d been told yesterday that we couldn’t really jump anything in the International Arena, but luckily my friend took me to see Lizzie this morning, and she was so helpful. I must thank her so much – without her, I wouldn’t have been able to do what I did,” he added.

Craig describes Susan Tennant’s gelding as the ‘perfect hunter’. “He’s everything – if you were ever looking for the perfect horse, he’s it. He’s got character, he’s got class, he’s got swagger,” added Craig, who also won the HOYS Supreme with him in 2024 as a ridden hunter.

In third place in the Supreme Horse were the Surrey Envelopes BSHA Supreme Cob Champions, Danielle Heath and Mr Vincent. Danielle had two horses in the Supreme, with her Riding Horse champion Times Square III also through to today’s final.

The Agria Royal International Horse Show takes place at Hickstead in West Sussex from 23-27 July. Tickets are available at the gate or from www.hickstead.co.uk. The action will also be shown live on ClipMyHorse.TV.

*Main image @HelenCruden Craig Kiddier winning on Mulberry Lane.