Smith back to build on success at Wembley

Robert Smith would naturally be delighted to repeat last year's incredible tally of seven wins at the Horse of the Year Show – especially as he is looking to replace the office equipment company, Senator, whose sponsorship ended last weekend.

Smith rides three horses – Mr Springfield, Hennessy and Kalusha – at this six-day show which begins today in Wembley Arena. Twelve months ago, when still only a seven-year-old, Mr Springfield won three classes there including the Grand Prix. He is the only one from last year's successful trio to return to Wembley this week, but he will again be accompanied by two talented stable companions – Hennessy having won at the August Hickstead meeting, while Kalusha was a winner of the Masters at Olympia last December.

The Whitaker brothers, Michael and John, missed the 2000 event, because they were competing at the Olympics in Sydney, but they will be back at Wembley with their top mounts. Michael will be riding Handel II at his first show since the horse had an operation to help his breathing. The 12-year-old proved his ability when finishing a close third in the World Cup final at Gothenburg in April. Until sidelined by his breathing problems, he was regarded as Whitaker's probable mount for the European Championships at the end of June.

The show begins with two days of national classes, mostly featuring riders who have gained coveted qualifying places for Horse of the Year finals. John Whitaker will be among those contesting today's Grade C Championship when he rides the mare Nicolette; he also had Temple Croesus through to the Foxhunter final on Thursday. "Those two young horses are as good as I've had for a long time," Whitaker said. They are, however, only six-year-olds so he will have a long wait before discovering whether they will make top grand prix horses.