Majestically sporting the Union Flag, his ears happily pricked up, this horse is clearly getting into the spirit of the Queen’s Jubilee.
Natterjack, a 14-year-old former racehorse, was painted in Britain’s colours at Barbury Castle Estate in Wiltshire before rider Laura Collett took him round the cross-country course which is designed to look like a mini Stonehenge.
A team of four, led by equine physio Nicole Rossa, took five painstaking hours to transform the gelding from his usual grey using liquid chalk, a harmless substance which washes off easily. He enjoyed the attention, munching hay and carrots as the two layers of paintwork were applied.
Once complete, rising eventing star Collett, 22, guided Natterjack over the signature fence of the Barbury International Horse Trials which will be the last major British competition before the Olympic Games.
And Sportsmail photographer Andy Hooper was there to take this stunning mid-air picture.
‘It was really eye-catching,’ said Collett of the design. ‘It did take a long time for them to do, but if you stood even a metre back it looked like a piece of artwork, it didn’t look like chalk on a horse.
‘It was good fun. It was quite different being in a dress and having the horse painted. None of us were too sure how it would work out.’
Collett, who lives nearby and has been riding since she was two, added: ‘I only did the jump about six times. It worked really well. We couldn’t get the horse too hot because the paint would start to rub off and smudge. He was sweet to ride and did what he needed.’
The Stonehenge jump, made from fallen beech, is the stand-out feature of the Barbury International, which will be staged on Marlborough Downs, Wiltshire, between June 28 and July 1.
It offers equestrian enthusiasts a final chance to see members of the British Olympic team in action before the Games start four weeks later in Greenwich Park.
The final group of five has yet to be announced after bad weather forced the cancellation of the Badminton and Chatsworth events. The team should now be named after Yorkshire’s Bramham International finishes on Sunday.
Collett is one of the riders, along with Zara Phillips, the Queen’s granddaughter, whose chances now hang in the balance and will be determined by the selectors, although her Olympic hopes are more likely to be realised in Rio four years from now.
Britain will be looking to be in the medals at London after a team of William Fox-Pitt, Piggy French, Mary King and Nicola Wilson won bronze at last year’s European Championships.
Natterjack lives at the Barbury Estate which is owned by Nigel and Penny Bunter. They took him after he retired from racing when he was trained by Alan King.
‘One of the things about Barbury is that no matter where you stand, you can see the whole cross-country course, which is unique,’ said Collett.
‘The re-creation of Stonehenge is at the top of a hill, so it stands out and is very impressive.
‘I know a lot of people from a lot of nations will be using Barbury as their final run before the Olympics.’
Source: Latest News
Other Fancy Dress Friday posts include:
Sunflower Horse and Bumble Bee Handler
If Wishes Were Ponies - Franga Designs
Miniature Horses in Fancy Dress
Instructions for making an equine poodle costume here
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