‘You can be what you want to be’: farewell to trotter who became grade A showjumper, aged 34

The owner of a little French trotter who “wasn’t built for jumping” has paid tribute to her horse of a lifetime, whose heart took him to grade A, after his death aged 34.

Gemma Dickens had to say goodbye to Oakley’s Ace this month, after a career of wins across the country and a long and happy retirement. The combination won over £11,000 together; their victories included the Hickstead novice derby, the Ken Beeston Memorial Trophy and multiple classes and finals at Scope and the British Showjumping amateur and veteran championships.