Having not competed at Royal Windsor Horse Show for 10 years, Irishman Dermott Lennon’s return resulted in him etching his name in the prestigious event’s history books by winning the Alltech Grand Prix for the Kingdom of Bahrain Trophy. Partnering the consistent Loughview Lou-Lou (Limmerick x Jack of Diamonds), he thrilled the crowd with the kind of performance expected of a former World Champion.
“I’d watched Yazmin Pinchen go and she rode a great round,” said Dermott. “My main concern was getting over the planks, but once I’d done that I was able to go.”
His tactics paid off and he was able to pinch back three seconds, holding on to the lead over eventual second placed Robert Whitaker with Catwalk IV (Colman x Corleone) for Britain.
“I always love to come to Britain and win,” Dermott joked. “It’s a great and famous show with classes for every type and shape of horse I think.”
Home rider Laura Renwick secured her second win of the week by claiming the remaining three-star international competition of the show. Riding Rembrandt Blue, Laura set such a pace that, despite collecting eight seconds in penalties, she still managed to hold a lead over France’s Michel Hecart, riding Toupie de la Roque (Kannan x Nabab de Reve).
The USA’s Emma Heise rounded off a week of strong results with a win in the Royal Windsor one-star international Grand Prix riding Viper Vrombautshoeve Z by Verdi. Based in Warwickshire with Olympic Gold Medallists Laura Kraut (USA) and Nick Skelton (GBR), Emma, who bettered seven rivals in the jump-off, has enjoyed her time at the iconic venue.
“I really like it here,” she said. “It’s been so interesting seeing so many disciplines and competitions we just don’t get in the US."
Photo by Trevor Meeks/HPower.