Riders share the Top Spot in the Equine Giveaways Royal International Stakes
Monday 29 July 2024
.jpg "Riders share the Top Spot in the Equine Giveaways Royal International Stakes")
Two British riders both had their first five-star victories today when they shared the win in the Equine Giveaways Royal International Stakes at the Agria Royal International Horse Show.
Both Mark Edwards (Royale Tale) and James Smith (Juno Rose 23) crossed the line at the same time of 63.78sec to share the top spot.
Welshman Mark established the quarry in this speed class when he blasted into a 6sec lead on his father Martyn’s nine-year-old mare Royale Tale. Another 17 riders jumped, with none managing to get within 5sec of his time, before James Smith on Thomas Carruthers’ chestnut mare Juno Rose 23 gave him a run for his money.
Despite his stirrup leather slipping off the bar three from home, James was able to stop the clock at the exact same hundredth of a second.
“Getting a five-star win was one of the main aims for the week,” said Mark, who is based at his family’s farm in South Glamorgan. “It’s an unusual situation to be equal first,” he added. “I don’t think it’s happened to me before. I knew James and a few quick ones were coming at the end, so it wasn’t won until James had been.”
Mark previously claimed an international victory at Hickstead when he won the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in 2021, the year the class ran as a two-star. On that occasion, he partnered Royale Tale’s sire, Montreuxs Tale.
“It obviously runs in the family, they both like the ring,” said Mark, who is making an increasing impression on the international stage with his multi-generation string of homebreds. “She’s been a great mare for me, she’s had a really good year again and she loves winning on the big stage.”
Scotsman James last jumped at the Royal International 18 years ago when he contested the 138cm final. “It was my first five-star win, the same as Mark, so it was great to do it here,” he said. “It’s such a lovely show — I’ve not been for so long I forgot how unique it is, it really is special.”
James wasn’t able to watch Mark’s round but had been told he was ‘really quick’. “My mare is very fast and I knew if I stayed on it, I wouldn’t be far away but in the end it was the exact same time,” he said. “I had to try and stay in balance when I lost the stirrup. Who knows if I’d have beaten him. I’m happy [with the tie] anyway!”
The Agria Royal International Horse Show runs from 24-28 July at Hickstead in West Sussex. Tickets are available at the gate or can be booked online at www.hickstead.co.uk. All the action from the International Arena will be livestreamed on ClipMyHorse.TV and Hickstead.TV.
Image: Boots and Hooves Photography
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