Jerram-Hunnable's Starring role

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With last-minute qualifying tickets up for grabs at next month’s Agria Royal International Horse Show, plenty of top show horses were in action today at Hickstead as the hunters took centre stage in the International Arena.

Show producers often use the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting as a means of building experience ahead of the July showcase, and that was certainly the case for Katie Jerram-Hunnable.

Riding the six-year-old middleweight Starring Louis, who is owned by Ruth Flack, Katie won the Agria Hunter Championship. "He's only a baby, and this is his biggest occasion yet to date,” said Katie. “He's quite special. He's seen an awful lot today, and life has changed dramatically for him!"

Starring Louis came on to Katie’s Essex yard as a two-year-old, and made his Hickstead debut last year. “Last year he came second here ,and this year, he's had four outings and four wins, and three championships on top of that. That's absolutely great for a baby, and it's hard to find a good one."

Asked what makes him so special, Katie said: “He's got the look-at-me factor. I've had many a lovely champion, but this one, everyone just loves. Ruth Flack, his owner, has been amazing – she's waited for a horse like this for a long time. She's had horses with me for 20 years and we finally have one that's good enough to do the job."

In reserve spot was Matthew Ainsworth and the heavyweight Dublin Street Fighter, while the Agria Small Hunter title went to Fiona Spencer – the wife of Phil Spencer of Location, Location, Location fame – and the 18-year-old Sir Montague.

For full results click here.