Equestrianism: Thompson's true Romance

Equestrianism

Thompson's true Romance

The former British rider Lucy Thompson, riding Welton Romance for Ireland, led after yesterday's cross country phase at the European Open Horse Trials Championships, writes Jennifer Harry from Pratoni del Vivaro. Her closest pursuer was Mary King with her world games gold medallist, King William. Meanwhile at Wembley, Robert Smith and Gold, winners of the Puissance last year, had to make do with a share of the title as Guy Goosen and Sagrat shone in one of the most popular Horse of the Year Show events. Smith and Goosen were the only two in a field of 10 to survive three rounds with the formidable wall eventually rising to 7ft 1in.