TWO local riders made their long journey down to Hickstead’s Longines Royal International Horse Show very worthwhile, in two totally different spheres, showing and showjumping.

Harrogate-based rider and showing producer Michaela Wood has won a prestigious showing championship class at Hickstead’s Longines Royal International Horse Show last Tuesday, July 28.

Michaela, riding on behalf of Team Wood, was crowned overall supreme winner of Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd skewbald and piebald ridden horse and pony classes riding Login Lucky Lad, which is her father’s horse.

Young Hannah Barker, from Northallerton, won the 1.15m 128cms Championship in the international arena, riding Ian Barker’s My Little Sweetheart.

They were the only pair to go clear in the first round and the jump-off to seal victory.

As one of the biggest outdoor shows in the country, the Longines Royal International Horse Show, which takes place, in West Sussex uniquely sees equestrian’s elite from a variety of disciplines compete side by side.

It has everything from the thrills and spills of international showjumping to the elegance and glamour of champion showing horses and ponies, to the exhilarating buzz of the country’s best scurry ponies.

The six-day horse show is one of the oldest and most prestigious competitions in the calendar, and it also hosts a leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Series, providing the British public their only chance to see their national showjumping team compete on home turf.