A Grand Nationwide celebrity, and two unhappy farewells – what the pony international is speaking about

1. I Am Maximus’s Grand Nationwide victory

I Am Maximus installed an excellent efficiency to win the 2024 Randox Grand Nationwide, giving jockey Paul Townend his first win within the race he described as the only “each younger boy with a pony desires to win”. The pony, skilled by way of Willie Mullins, began as 7/1 joint-favourite, and received by way of 7 ½ lengths. Corach Rambler, winner of remaining 12 months’s version, unseated jockey Derek Fox on the first fence. In all 32 horses began, with 21 completing – of the remainder, 4 jockeys had been unseated and 7 horses pulled up.

Learn extra from Paul and Willie

2. Farewell to ‘an amazingly knowledgable horseman’

John Parker, whose son Fred described as having “devoted his lifestyles to the pony business from the arriving of his first pony in 1960”, died at the 4 March elderly 77. What become John Parker Global, a industry that now transports extra the 5,000 horses each and every 12 months, began “accidentally” after the sale of a lorry to Malta in 1977, which needed to be delivered with horses on board. John used to be additionally a passionate showjumper who produced and bought horses, and used to be described as an “amazingly an expert horseman”.

Obituary: John Parker

John Parker used to be a passionate showjumper

3. Former eventer and main course-designer passes away

Ronald Alexander, a celebrated global course-designer and previous tournament rider and hunt grasp, has died elderly 81. Ronald took up driving elderly 16, at the recommendation of his father, a health care provider, who concept he will have to get some recent air. He become grasp of the Eglinton in 1969 the place he remained for roughly 25 years. His eventing profession incorporated contesting Burghley two times. A profession in course-design started after his cousin Margaret Quarm began a horse trials at her house, Annick Hotel, and requested him to make use of his wisdom of architectural design to design a couple of fences.

Obituary: Ronald Alexander

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H&H editor-in-chief

Sarah has greater than two decades revel in as an equestrian journalist and editor. She has reported from main championships together with the Europeans and the International Equestrian Video games. She has co-written books on equestrianism together with The Whole Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. Sarah has ridden since adolescence, owned horses and ponies for over 25 years, and labored for and skilled with Olympic gold medallist tournament rider Leslie Regulation previous to going to college.