ONE week after the death of her top horse Desert Island, Louisa Lockwood was back in action and in winning form at the Hambleton Horse Trials. 

Louisa's two Intermediate horses turned in excellent performances to take first and second places at the Oxfordshire event with young seven-year-old Ballyfarris Flight the winner by more than six marks from stablemate and dressage leader Acheron.  

Ballyfarris Flight now has 56 BE points while Peter Urquhart's ten-year-old gelding Acheron has now upgraded to Advanced and will next contest the CIC** at Houghton in Norfolk later this month.  

The 31-year-old Winterbourne Stoke rider said she has been comforted by the many letters and messages of support since the tragic events at last weekend’s Badminton Horse Trials which resulted in Desert Island being put down after a fall on the cross country course. 

Louisa said: "Bally is just amazing and one of the reasons I managed to get back on a horse after Badminton.  

“No-one can replace Desert Island, she was such a huge character on the yard. But having a few good other horses and wonderfully supportive owners does help.” 

There was also another encouraging performance from Penultimate Vision, who was placed in his Novice section at Moreton Morrell.  

Louisa added that she is currently looking for an owner or small syndicate to buy into the talented eight-year-old gelding. 

For more details, contact Louisa on 07768 303 492 or via her website: www.louisalockwood.com

Photo courtesy Alasdair Crook
www.alcrook.com