In the native breed classes, Devon-based Cathy Wood’s outstanding Connemara stallion, Clover Hill Magic, improved on last year’s reserve to lift the coveted Horse and Hound Mountain and Moorland Supreme In Hand Championship – one of the late Her Majesty Queen’s favourite classes.

HM The King was not to be outdone, and the pure-bred Cleveland Bay class – another breed much-favoured by the late Her Majesty Queen – went to his 13-year-old Wyevale Harry, partnered by Isabel Oakley, who won the Cleveland Bay Ridden (Pure Bred) class. Then, Bethany Attwell rode his St Ives to victory in the Part-Bred class, completing a remarkable double.

Photo: Cathy Wood’s Connemara stallion, Clover Hill Magic winner of the Horse and Hound Mountain and Moorland Supreme In Hand Championship at Royal Windsor Horse Show  @RoyalWindsorHorseShow/Peter Nixon

Robert Walker Walks Away With the LeMieux Hunter Championship – But That’s Not All

Robert Walker, reserve Champion last year, resumed his customary place at the top of the LeMieux Hunter Championship affairs in the grand setting of the Castle Arena this morning, which was bathed in glorious sunshine.

Although this was Robert’s ninth time winning this class at Royal Windsor, it closely rivalled the achievements of legendary showmen Robert Oliver and David Tatlow. It was his first title with Jill Day’s winning Middleweight, Greenhall Treasure Island. It also marked a triumphant comeback for the strapping bay after a year off the scene.

“He’s a lovely horse – one I always look forward to riding,” said Rob.

Ride judge, event rider Nick Gauntlett, who officiated alongside British Show Pony Society National Chair Paul Cook, added: “Both the Champion and Reserve are really nice horses and went exceptionally well, but our Champion just had that bit of extra sparkle.”

Reserve went to Gloucestershire-based Matt Ainsworth with the winning Heavyweight, Dublin Streetfighter, who gave Matt’s long-time owner Sue Hookham her first Windsor victory.

Later, a blistering gallop with Jill Day’s latest “find,” the Lightweight Kief Dream Catcher, gave Robert Walker the Novice Hunter Championship sponsored by Alan Marnie title too, despite having finished second in his class. This is only the fourth time that Rob has won these two titles in the same year, and they came exactly ten years after his first double victory. He couldn’t have been more thrilled: “He’s a new horse to us so we weren’t really expecting too much,” he said. “Needless to say, we can’t stop smiling.”

Frogmore Arena Highlights

Across in the Frogmore Arena, Isabella Mears-Wood was the emotional winner of the Amateur Cob class for a record fifth time aboard 15-year-old Brookdale Limited Edition [Archie]. “He’s not getting any younger and every win means so much more to me,” said Issy.

Tears flowed even more freely when producer Danielle Heath rode Issy’s lovely coloured horse, Mr Vincent, to win the open Lightweight Cob class.

However, her best moment came later in the day when Forgeland Hyde Park became only the second horse in the show’s long history to land the Count Robert Orssich Hack Championship for a fourth time, equalling the record set by Robert Oliver and the legendary Tenterk back in 1981.

“The week started off amazing yesterday for us [with a win in the Coloured classes] and it’s just got better and better,” added Issy, who also stood reserve in the Cob Championship with Archie.

The Cob Championship title went to Will Morton aboard Valerie Hosegood’s skewbald Heavyweight victor Bannview So Smart. This time last year, he was still in novice ranks but was second at the Horse of the Year Show. “I hoped this would be his year,” said Will.