Meet Wilson, the half-Clydesdale who’s “dwelling his greatest life” as he continues to showjump his enthusiastic means throughout Scotland aged 30.

Jonathan Bagg, who has owned the 17.1hh half-thoroughbred gelding for 25 years, instructed H&H he has been pulled up by British Showjumping (BS) judges as they battle to imagine how outdated Wilson is.

“I’ve been pulled in twice to examine his age as they couldn’t imagine what they have been seeing,” he stated. “They stated they wanted to examine he was the appropriate horse as he appeared wonderful.”

Jonathan solely registered Wilson, formally Wilson II, with BS 5 years in the past.

“I work within the business; I’m worldwide gross sales supervisor for NAF and on this and former jobs within the business I’ve travelled extensively so he wasn’t ridden to his full potential for a very long time; we did unaffiliated and driving membership,” Jonathan stated. “My first yr doing BS, we aimed for the Aintree beginner and veteran championships, which is an exceptional present, and we’ve been chasing that dream ever since. He simply needs to maintain going.”

Jonathan and Wilson are underneath the steerage of Fiona Flynn, his teacher of over 30 years whose household ran the driving college Jonathan rode at earlier than that.

Fiona sang Jonathan’s praises for his dedication to Wilson, citing the effort and time he places in, early within the morning and late at evening to make sure his horse is completely happy and wholesome. She despatched H&H photos she had taken of the pair, which “present Wilson’s pleasure”.

“When he goes ‘up the gears’, to the untrained eye there’s no distinction, however though the rhythm stays the identical, the facility Wilson places in makes an enormous distinction,” she stated.

“We each snicker as a result of, at Wilson’s age, he has earned the appropriate to be a bit of cheeky and so stuffed with enthusiasm and pleasure, we simply include it sufficient to maintain him protected. In Wilson’s thoughts he’s nonetheless 10-ish and we would like him to proceed to really feel and suppose like that for so long as potential, however we shield him from his personal enthusiasm!”

Jonathan agreed, including: “He’s extraordinarily enthusiastic. He hates flatwork with a ardour; as quickly because the poles have gone, he’s ‘I’m actually not any extra’.

“He’s at all times been on a joint and a muscle complement – I work for NAF so I’m an ideal believer – and he’s solely received about three enamel left so he has numerous arduous meals however he’s pleased with grass and goes out for 10 to 12 hours a day.”

Jonathan stated he sticks to leaping 85-90cm “and he solely will get to do one class” a day, in deference to Wilson’s years, however added that have been Wilson requested to leap greater tracks, “I may be scared, however he would definitely do it!”

“We have been leaping on Friday and Saturday final weekend, then hacked on Monday,” he stated. “We have been with two horses 20 years youthful than him, and he out-walked them.

“He’s reliving his youth; we didn’t actually do it when he was youthful, and after we did go to exhibits I had no transport so we hacked there and again. Very old school nevertheless it appears to have labored. And as quickly as he doesn’t wish to do it any extra, that’ll be him completed. He’s by no means been ridden in spurs, he’s at all times taken me to a fence, but when he felt midway by way of a category that he’d had sufficient, I’d retire him there after which. It’s fully on his phrases; it normally is on his phrases, though that’s about making an attempt to gradual him down!”

Jonathan described Wilson as “one of many kindest horses you’ll ever meet”, who’s “amenable to every little thing” and adored by the girl in her mid to late 60s who takes care of him in Jonathan’s absence.

“I’m 47 now and I do know everybody says it however he’s actually the horse of my lifetime, and he’s been there as my good friend all that point,” he stated. “I’m exceptionally fortunate; he owes me nothing and I owe him every little thing.

“One BS decide introduced on the finish of his spherical: ‘Wilson resides his greatest life’, and that sums him up’.”

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H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Captivated with equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all facets of the business, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of selection is showjumping, during which she competes her personal horses, and he or she additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping exhibits by way of to worldwide championships.