NEWENT rider Gregory Hill hailed his winning horse Big Ben VI as ’amazing’ after scooping a major prize at the Hartpury Showjumping Spectacular at Hartpury College and University Centre.

The Newent-based duo performed a lap of honour to Tina Turner’s iconic hit Simply the Best in the International Arena after a jump-off that had the crowd on their edge of their seats.

“I have never had a horse that’s jumped as well as him,” said Gregory.

“He’s an amazingly easy horse to ride, he’s light in the hand and he’s quick off the leg.

“He’s 18 hands and with him you get all the size and scope of an 18-hand horse, but you also get the rideability. He’s amazing.

“He gives me everything he’s got all the time and I’m very lucky to have him.

“I don’t think he’s ever been in a prize-giving ceremony because he wasn’t the best young horse, but now he’s eight he’s finally coming good.

“I can’t believe it really, he just gets better and better.

“I love it here at Hartpury, it’s my local show because I live just 15 minutes down the road in Newent.”

Georgia Cabb, studying a BA (Hons) Equine Business Management degree at Hartpury, won the Senior 1.20m Open aboard the agile Uragan.

Shannon Show, who studied a Level Three Extended Diploma Horse Management diploma at Hartpury, topped the standings riding Croft Elite Prospect in the KBIS Insurance Senior British Novice and Senior 90cm Open.