On the most recent episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast, exhibiting rider and producer Sam Roberts takes a visit down reminiscence lane to relive the 12 months she first received the Mountain & Moorland supreme at Olympia aboard Harwell Wizard in 1998.
“That was the primary 12 months I ever went to compete and it was simply each 12-year-old’s dream to trot your pony, who can also be your finest good friend, round that huge enviornment full of gorgeous ponies,” explains Sam. “It was magical and I’ll always remember it.”
Sam says that regardless of not having any fancy equestrian amenities at residence, she made it work.
“Profitable made it a whole dream and surreal – it was completely treasured as a result of the horse lived at residence as a pet within the backyard.
“We didn’t have an enviornment or any lights – I used to trip hm with a automotive’s lights on, so it was fairly troublesome and an enormous journey to even attempt to get to London, not to mention drive via London in our horsebox. To win was past everyone’s wildest expectations.”
Sam describes Harwell Wizard, who was a Welsh part B as “a little bit of a legend”.
“He received the Search For A Star a few years earlier than I had him in 1996 and I noticed him once more in 1997. We spoke to the woman who owned him and he or she stated she was on the lookout for a jockey to lease him and trip him.
“I attempted him and we fitted and obtained on and had an incredible time – he was champion on the Hickstead Derby assembly and was reserve champion at Royal Windsor, each in 1998, and that 12 months was the stuff of fairytales.”
Regardless of his profitable methods, Harwell Wizard had character in abundance.
“He was fairly a cheeky monkey and he saved you in your toes, however he was a showman and beloved to please – I used to be very fortunate to have him in my life for 2 years.”
To listen to extra from Sam Roberts on her London Worldwide Horse Present reminiscences take heed to episode 160 of The Horse & Hound Podcast right here, or search “The Horse & Hound Podcast” in your favorite podcast app.
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Harwell Wizard and Sam Roberts at Olympia, the London Worldwide Horse Present in 1998.
Credit score: Trevor Meeks
Credit score: Lucy Merrell
Credit score: Lucy Merrell
Credit score: Future
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H&H options, racing and point-to-point editor
Gemma is an skilled journalist, having been a part of the H&H workforce since 2014, who’s enthusiastic about all equestrian sports activities, together with racing and point-to-pointing. She has loved using out for high trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took half in a charity Flat race at in August 2018. Gemma’s reporting abilities have taken her to quite a few five-star occasions round Britain and Europe, in addition to European championships.
