Lara Griffith’s ride Warlock, known as “Wally”, was put down on Sunday 22 February 2009 after the 17-year-old gelding fractured a hind leg in the field.

 

He was the 2008 Intermediaire I Freestyle Winter Champion and represented Britain at the 2008 Young Rider European Championships in Portugal. Lara, who had the ride on the 16.2hh Werther offspring since 2006, was the only Brit to go through to the freestyle, finishing 12^th.

 

Lara’s mum Caroline said: “He was a quirky individual, as he proved when it took three months to persuade him to go down to one end of the arena when new lights were put into the gallery at the yard where he was kept. Despite his ‘slight eccentricities’, he and Lara formed a great partnership.

 

“It was a great privilege to have been involved with such a horse and we are deeply grateful to his owner Veronique Andre de la Porte for allowing us that opportunity.”