A CHAMPION horse is retiring to graze in the grounds of Wiston Castle after competing in one of the UK’s most prestigious riding competitions with his owner.

Gemma Rees of Wiston and her 21-year-old stallion Banjo II were awarded reserve champion for the senior showing series at the Olympia Horse Show in December.

This was the last in a long career of riding competitions for champion Banjo.

Entry for the Olympia is strict and selective, with only champions of other competitions being able to enter.

“You have to be a champion at a previous show to qualify for the Olympia,” said Gemma. “I was the only qualifier from Wales after winning Wales champion at Sunnybank.”

Banjo took reserve champion in the senior category for horses more than 15 years old, losing out to champion Laithehill Pasha by only a single point.

“Banjo has won champion at some of the country’s largest competitions, so being reserve champion at the Olympia – you cannot get much better really,” said Gemma.

Some of his champion titles include Horse of the Year Show at the NEC in Birmingham as a four-year-old and the winning the Royal International Horse Show in Hickstead as a six-year-old.

Gemma, 33, works full time at her family farm in Wiston, and plans for Banjo to settle down to a quiet life after his long career as a show horse.

“We live just opposite the castle in Wiston and he has retired to the castle,” said Gemma. “He is like the king of Wiston now.”

Gemma started riding at the age of 7, and was discovered by a professional horse producing family, Ron and Debbie Thomas of Llandovery at 11, going on to compete across the UK with them.

She met Banjo when he was five years old and was given him as a gift by his breeder when he turned 15.