Hickstead Creates A Dick Saunders Memorial Championship

Dick Saunders, Hickstead's showing director for the last 10 years and oldest-ever winner of the Grand National, who died in January, is to be remembered with a new showing championship at this year's Royal International Horse Show.

The Dick Saunders Supreme Ridden Pony Championship will be judged in the International Arena on the last day of the show (July 28). Mrs Pam Saunders, who has agreed to become Assistant Showing Director at the Royal International Horse Show this year, will make the presentation.

Show Secretary Lizzie Bunn - who described Dick as "a brilliant showing director"- created the new championship by removing the Champion Show Pony from the Winston Churchill Cup (The British Horse Society Supreme Ridden Horse or Pony Championship) and grouping it with the champion Show Hunter Pony, Working Hunter Pony, First Ridden, Leading Rein and the Supreme Home Produced Pony Champion.

"I felt it was time the other ponies were recognised. It is also fitting that Dick's name should be linked with the ponies as he won the 14.2hh Show Pony class at the Royal International Horse Show in 1947 on a pony called Cottage Girl," she said.