16-year-old rider wins prestigious title at Royal Highland Present

A 16-year-old rider who didn’t suppose she would leap once more, and was frightened of 90cm fences, having misplaced her confidence following a fall wherein she broke her arm has received a prestigious under-25 title in her first 12 months on horses.

Yesterday (24 June) Millie Lawson and Cameron Anderson’s 10-year-old gelding Calatis beat a few of the UK’s finest under-25 riders to assert the Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie RHS Younger Masters Championship remaining on the Royal Highland Present.

Millie and “Cal” and the one different clear, Emma Crawford with Dukes of Hazzard, had been joined within the jump-off by three four-faulters; Emma with King Louie III, Sandy McLean and Calcord II and Fergal Holohan and Kan Annie, leaping in reverse order of time.

“Within the first spherical I made a few errors on my different horse Kyoto Van Duyversputten, so I knew once I went in on Cal to not have these errors,” mentioned Millie, who had solely contested one 1.40m class earlier than, on the Bolesworth Worldwide the earlier week.

“My dad mentioned if we had a couple of poles it didn’t matter and it was simply concerning the expertise. I assumed I’d be the slowest clear as I’m fairly a fan of getting time-faults within the first spherical, however then they mentioned I used to be final to go within the jump-off.”

Second-last-to-go Emma and Dukes of Hazzard jumped double clear to cease the clock on 41.71sec, and Millie’s dad David suggested Millie to goal for a gentle clear.

“My dad mentioned ‘You’re not going to beat the time, second place is what you’re aiming for’,” mentioned Millie. “Fence one to 2 was eight strides and he instructed me ‘Don’t go seven’, however I went seven, I turned tight again to the double, then I simply despatched Cal ahead. I jumped the upright then I noticed a superb stride to the final and he cleared it. He was wonderful.

“Afterwards I assumed ‘Have I carried out sufficient?’ after which they mentioned I’d received and I burst into tears. I simply thought ‘Wow’.”

The victory comes after a dramatic Royal Highland Present qualifier for the Lawson household at Tillyoch Equestrian on 5 Might, when Millie’s mum LeeAnn suffered a coronary heart assault.

“She’s okay now, however we simply have to ensure she’s standing subsequent to anyone once I leap!” mentioned Millie.

Millie received the Royal Highland Present 138cm championship in 2021, however this was her first 12 months competing on the present as a senior, and her first time within the showground’s well-known major enviornment since she was on 128cms.

“The final time I rode in the primary enviornment was within the mini main competitors in 2019 and I fell off,” she mentioned.

“The Highland is one in every of our favorite exhibits, all of us like it”.

Millie has loved a profitable worldwide pony profession, however final 12 months, her remaining 12 months on 148cms, a fall resulted in a damaged arm – and a giant confidence knock.

“I misplaced all my confidence and didn’t actually suppose I’d leap once more. In the beginning of 2024 I used to be scared to leap 90cm,” mentioned Millie.

“We took our time and went to some native exhibits and it began going good once more.”

Millie, who’s skilled by Rebecca Maher, is build up her string of horses and in February Cameron Anderson purchased Cal for her.

“I’ve a couple of younger horses, however we wished to discover a horse that might educate me a bit. Once I went and tried Cal all of us fell in love with him. I belief him, he’s a large character, he loves individuals, loves cuddles, and he thinks he’s the most effective. I’m so grateful to Cameron, and my dad and mom for the help,” she mentioned.

“We don’t actually have a set plan for the remainder of the summer season, this 12 months was about having enjoyable with the horses and attending to know them, however now I feel I would must ask my dad and mom to take me to some huge exhibits.”

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H&H senior information author

Since becoming a member of H&H in 2018, Becky has coated a broad vary of equestrian information together with welfare issues, veterinary research, FEI Tribunal hearings and highway security campaigns. She has additionally interviewed prime riders together with Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to call just some. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, in addition to the Royal Highland and Blair Fort Worldwide Horse Trials nearer to house. She was additionally a key a part of the distant reporting staff for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.