Equestrianism: Hester locates the right rhythm

CARL HESTER and the easy-going Maxwell produced a beautifully rhythmic and accurate test to win the Prix St Georges title at the British National Championships yesterday. The Olympic rider attained an excellent score of 72.14 per cent for a convincing victory.

Charlotte Edmonds, the 15-year-old daughter of Noel Edmonds, finished third on Torque o' the Devil. Last month at Hickstead, Edmonds was on the Great Britain team that won their first-ever medal (a bronze) in the Junior European Championships.

Hester, will miss next month's World Equestrian Games because selection has been based on overseas results and Legal Democrat, at present his top grand prix horse, was not available for recent meetings in Rotterdam and Saumer. He is likely to remind the selectors of his formidable talent by winning the Grand Prix Championship here tomorrow.

Three members of the World Games team (Richard Davison, Emile Faurie and Ferdi Eilberg) took part in a training grand prix here yesterday. The fourth member, Sandy Phillips (the wife of Captain Mark Phillips) was absent because she was attending the funeral of her father-in-law.

BRITISH NATIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS (Stoneleigh, Warwicks): Derby House Saddlery and Dressage Horse International Prix St Georges: 1 Maxwell (C Hester) 72.14 per cent; 2 Torque o' the Devil (C Edmonds) 67.0; 3 Catherston Decipher (L Loriston-Clarke) 65.8. Strongid P RDA Championship: Grade I: Withington Woods (D Tubbs) 75.56 per cent. Grade II: Westwell Prim and Proper (A Dunham) 72.59. Grade III: Viaduct Marie (L Lee) 65.09. Grade IV: Mornington Crescent (K Gebbie) 69.36.