Felicity celebrates a notable first

One of the happiest riders after cross-country at the Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials was 23-year-old Felicity Collins who was celebrating a long-awaited first CCI5* completion. “It definitely feels like a milestone and a relief,” said Felicity, whose well-judged clear round with 23.6 time penalties elevated her to 12th position overnight on RSH Contend Or.

The pair contested Pau in 2019, where they retired three-quarters of the way around the cross-country when the horse became too strong. “My brakes failed — he is a strong horse — and it’s been such a long wait to have another go.”

Felicity, whose mother Vicky many people remember being placed at five-star level on Welton Molecule, bought “Micky” when he was rising six from Sarah-Jane Knight at Richmond Sport Horses. “It was in 2015 while Badminton was on the television and she rang me up and said ‘I’ve got your Badminton horse’,” explained Felicity.

“He was too sharp for her and he has sometimes been tricky. In hindsight, Bicton has come at the right time for us as we’re now a far more established partnership and have done 10 double clears at four-star level.

“I’m so proud. I have always thought a lot of the horse and now I’ve been able to show the rest of the world what he can do. Covid has hit my business hard and I am desperately trying to build up my yard again, so I hope my performance yesterday will have caught the eye a bit.”