A high quality and jolly cob is all the time a pleasure to look at going about its work within the ring; this yr, Jackie Beatham and Leon King have the powerful process of sorting by the light-weight and heavyweight mixtures on the Royal Worldwide Horse Present (RIHS).
Jackie will assess every horse’s conformation, and Leon will put every one by its paces within the saddle. So who’s Leon King, and what are his preferences when judging?
Leon’s background in horses
Leon isn’t from a horsey background, however began driving aged six.
“I used to be very fortunate to have alternatives after I was youthful,” says Leon. “I showjumped in junior lessons as much as JA stage with ponies that we had purchased from Studying Market.
“Then at 12 years previous, I used to be fortunate to have the chance to assist and trip for a woman referred to as Vicki McRae. She had huge expertise and she or he taught me an ‘old-school’ manner of doing horses.”
Vicki launched Leon to displaying, too.
“She had bred some beautiful younger horses that I used to be lucky sufficient to trip, two of which received me a trip at Wembley after I was 16; one within the working hunter pony part and one within the driving horses.”
From there, Leon spent 14 years producing present horses for the Underwood household, with a bunch of wins and championships on the nation’s most prestigious exhibits.
Leon is aware of how cob ought to trip as he has ridden champions over time.
As of late, yow will discover Leon working for Yorkshire-based Susan Tennant and the Tennant household, the place he produces present horses from their dwelling.
“Susan breeds full and part-bred Irish Draughts,” he explains. “We’ve 4 home-breds out this season.”
With a profession that’s reached enviable heights in displaying, Leon thinks arduous on his displaying highlights.
“I’m fortunate there are such a lot of to say, however I must say profitable hunter champion and driving horse champion in the identical yr at Horse of the 12 months Present on Loch Royal and Tattigare Watch This House owned by the beautiful Underwood household.”
Leon’s judging expertise
Leon sits on the British Present Horse Affiliation (BSHA), Sports activities Horse Breeding (GB), the British Present Pony Society (BSPS) and the Retraining of Racehorses judging panels and has a broad vary of expertise judging.
“I’ve been fortunate sufficient to have judged some beautiful exhibits,” he says, “and I’ve judged in Australia 3 times; I judged their Horse of the 12 months Present, which was an expertise I’ll always remember. However judging the Royal Worldwide Horse Present is a spotlight; it’s top-of-the-line exhibits within the UK for horses.”
How you can impress Leon King within the ring
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H&H displaying editor
Bethan joined Horse & Hound as displaying editor in January 2025, after spending two years as Editor for Displaying World. Having adored ponies since childhood, she began displaying as a youngster and has loved wins at main exhibits up and down the nation, together with Royal Highland, New Forest, and the Royal Welsh, in addition to HOYS, RIHS and London. She is especially captivated with Welsh breeds and can also be a Welsh language commentator.
