Equestrian: Dannevirke's Aplin wins Supreme award at Royal Show

Rebecca Aplin on RP Ricochet Supreme Arab with the South Island Judge.

Dannevirke's Rebecca Aplin was in top of the Equestrian Showing world at the Hawke's Bay Royal Show October 17-19.

Competing on Thursday 18 on her horse Handsom Sherlock she took out the Supreme Horse award in the Open Class.

It was a tough day competing three times, being judged for Best Paced and Mannered (how rider and horse work together) and Confirmation (appearance) before taking out the title. She first won the Open Saddle Hunter over 1.63m, then the Lady Saddle Hunter and finally the Gentleman Saddle Hunter.

Rebecca Aplin on RP Ricochet Supreme Arab with the South Island Judge.

Most of her opposition were experienced adult riders but this was Rebecca's second year in horse events after graduating from ponies. She had had Handsom Sherlock only a year, having to train the 10-year old from scratch.

Rebecca had already plenty to celebrate before the Supreme Horse event having competed the day before in the Arab Horse competition winning the Supreme Arab award on RP Ricochet. Again she had had to compete three times before winning.

Rebecca had been working hard with RP Ricochet, having taken on the five-year-old quarter bred with just five previous shows experience, three months before the Hawke's Bay event.

Rebecca says she spends at least an hour per day with her horses, increasing as shows approach. She is looking for more challenges at next year's Horse Of The Year event.