Two in a row for Millie Allen
Friday 25 July 2025
Millie Allen made a spectacle of her first appearance on British soil for three years by winning two CSIO5* classes in two days at the Agria Royal International Horse Show.
She followed up on Thursday’s win with a victory in Friday’s CSIO5* ClipMyHorse.TV International Stakes, heading both line-ups with the nine-year-old mare Quick Diamant HR.
“It’s so special to jump in that arena, let alone win,” said Millie, who spearheaded an all-British podium in this class, beating the very competitive partnerships of James Smith with Juno Rose 23 and Mark Edwards on Flying Tinker II.
“The horse obviously loves it in there, she jumped super — though she’s just as good in every ring she jumps in."
The 27-year-old rider hails from Middlesborough, Lancs, where her family run Stainsby Grange Equestrian Centre, but has been working in Belgium for international showjumper Karel Cox.
She started riding Quick Diamant HR for him when the mare was seven, and the pair kicked off a run of top-level success in Doha at the start of the year.
“She’s a speedy mare, who loves her job, and I am so grateful to have her on my team. She’s really stepped up this year and has been so consistent,” she said. “For such a small horse she has such a big stride and is naturally so fast, even when I am not trying to go fast she’s quick.”
This year is Millie’s debut in the five-star classes at Hickstead but she isn't a complete stranger to victory in the International Arena, having won the Winter JC final here in 2010, when she was 12.
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.
Image: Boots and Hooves Photography
 c. Majestic Photography.jpg "James Smith Dominates in the Penultimate Winter Grand Prix at Aintree Winter Classic Show")