Equestrianism: Tucker's clear round proves she can ride as well as teach

Angela Tucker moved up from third overnight to win the international two-star section of The Macallan International Horse Trials here in Moray, after a clear show jumping round on Plantagenet of Rushall.

Tucker, who is a member of the senior selection committee, is in demand as a trainer but this weekend she defied the charge that "those who can do, those who can't teach" with a splendid overall performance on the seven-year-old gelding.

In complete contrast with Saturday's rain-drenched morning and freezing afternoon, the sun shone benignly yesterday as riders completed the final show jumping test. Tucker said that she had been "a little bit conservative" when riding Saturday's cross-country, aware that the mud and the hills might sap her mount's energy. Plantagenet had, however, finished full of running.

After Tucker had jumped clear the two leaders dropped behind her, with Ireland's Kevin Smith going from second to fourth and Australia's Merran Wallis, the overnight leader, having to settle for second.

Wallis, who was runner-up in the one-star contest here last year, is based at Jane Wallace's yard in Leicestershire where Alec Lochore (whose family run the Burgie event) also keeps his horses.

Wallis had broken her hand three weeks earlier and she had been told not to ride. Carolyn Rowe, who moved up one place to be third on Glen Laurie, still has trouble with her leg, which was broken two years ago and operated on again last November when the pin was removed. Despite these problems both women said that they had "really enjoyed" the demanding cross-country.

Results, Digest, page 19