Boston Black Tie and Helen Baker have added the ultimate accolade to their glittering showing record by lifting the Barberstown Castle Supreme Ridden Horse Championship at the Agria Royal International Horse Show.

The partnership, who are three-time winners of the Ellena Thomas BSHA Supreme Hack Championship, topped a high-calibre line-up of the week’s section champions to take the coveted Winston Churchill Cup on the final day at Hickstead.

Owned by Nicola Faulconbridge, Boston Black Tie impressed the judges to score 28 marks from a possible 30, finishing one point clear of Robert Walker and Full Cry, winners of the Alan Marnie Meta Lounge Ltd SHB (GB) Supreme Hunter Championship, who took reserve honours on a score of 27.

“I wasn’t expecting that to happen, though you’re always hopeful,” said Helen, whose individual show featured simple and flying changes, a rein-back, an elegant extended trot and was finished one-handed.

“Now the Irish Bank has been removed [from the mani arena], there’s so much more room to be seen out in front of the judges. His strength is his trot – it’s his party piece – I just have to stay with him.”

Although Helen has enjoyed numerous top placings in the championship over the years, including second, third, fourth and fifth, this marks her first victory in the prestigious supreme.

“Just to get into the Supreme is an honour – it’s a massive achievement,” she added.

Known at home as DJ, Boston Black Tie was bred by Stephen Howard, who had travelled from Yorkshire to watch the gelding claim Saturday’s BSHA Supreme Hack title. After that success, DJ returned to the field to spend the night with his companions before coming back to Hickstead to secure the biggest title of his career less than 24 hours later.

Picture courtesy of Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves.

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