Posted: Thursday, December 15th, 2011
Ben Maher riding Milena in The Christmas Speed Stakes
“She’s a lovely mare, very adjustable,” explained Ben. “It was a course on which you had to go quickly from the start. We managed to pick up a rhythm and get on a good stride – some courses go for you all the way and this was one.”
A previous leading rider at Olympic, Ben said: “Olympia is the best show in the world. I always really look forward to it.”
Earlier in the evening, the Duchess of Cornwall presented the Raymond Brooks Ward Trophy which goes to the most promising young rider, to British dressage team gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin. She also met young riders from the Shetland Pony Grand National and Paralympians Emma Sheardown and Nathasha Baker who both were awarded British Equestrian Federation medals of honour.
Other medallists were Robert Smith, eventing team farrier Haydn Price, chairman of selectors Mandy Stibbe, Charlotte Dujardin and Emile Faurie.
John Whitaker’ wife Clare presented FEI Badge of Honour to Peter Charles and Robert Whitaker.
Among the faces in the audience on a packed night were Alan Titchmarsh and Rory Bremner.
