Horse Roly claims top honour in international show
BBCA horse who has found his "forever home" in Derbyshire has claimed the top spot in an international event.
Roly was sold as a foal at market and went through seven different paddocks before being bought by Clare Blaskey, 72, from near Matlock in Derbyshire in 2024.
But the 16-year-old gelding has gone on to win a prestigious honour in the equestrian world.
The owner told the BBC: "We never thought at the start of the year if we took him to a few shows in the senior showing class he would end up at the London International and come home as supreme champion."
The owner, who has been involved with horses for more than 60 years, bought the part Welsh-bred gelding for leisurely, non-competitive rides on trails for fun and exercise - with her other horse Milo.
Blaskey said former owners contacted her after Roly was seen in an Instagram video following his win and added he had been on a "remarkable journey".
But when she first met him, it was love at first sight.
"I saw him and he was only 20 minutes away, you usually travel for miles to find horses and search for ages and there he was, right on my doorstep.
"As soon I saw him, I thought he was a beautiful horse," she said.
More than 2,500 horses and ponies set out to try to compete for honours in London with two classes - one for ridden and one for in-hand.
Roly, who had won a national championship, was entered into the latter which involves leading a horse from the ground using a bridle or halter rather than riding.
Horses are judged on conformation, movement, and condition.
Roly - whose show name is Ranchella Rolex - came through beating 17 other horses and was crowned champion in the in-hand class with handler Claire Howie.
"He's a very special horse... these older horses have so much to give and he's become my companion," she added.
"We never thought at the start of the year if we took him to a few shows in the senior showing class he would end up at the London International and to come home as supreme champion.
"It was just a dream, it was absolutely incredible."
Asked what Roly's prize was, Blaskey said he got "tonnes of treats".
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