Opium De Limoges
Champion Blue Riband 2005
Ridden By Adam Winbourne
Photograph by Real Time Imaging

2005 has been yet another amazing season.  Opium De Limoges known to her friends as Poppy claimed titles at both B.S.P.S. Winter and Summer Championships, B.S.P.S. Area 15, Area 15A and PUK South along with many other wins.

The B.S.P.S. Summer Championships has always been a very special event to me, in fact my favourite, the atmosphere is always excellent and it is particularly well organised, something everyone can enjoy and winning here is something that always stays with you as an amazing and honoured moment.  So, firstly I would like to thank the B.S.P.S. for making this show happen including the great, dedicated, committed staff and committee at the B.S.P.S. and of course the judges. After winning the Blue Riband Saturday morning I had to compete Saturday night for the Blue Riband Championship, the arena was packed and electrifying but Poppy went amazing giving an immaculate performance for our three judges. Thankfully, she impressed not only the crowd but her judges too, subsequently being crowned Blue Riband Intermediate Champion by a considerably high margin of marks.  I was thrilled by our result, we set off to “simply the best” under the spotlight and coming down the centre line was as good as ever.

I would like to thank all my hard working team at home, a special thanks to Mum and Dad, because without you none of this would be possible, to my good friends Julie Helliwell / Peter Wilkinson for selling Poppy to me and the biggest thanks of all to Poppy this amazing, unique and incredible horse that has brought so many of my dreams to life.

Thank you Poppy – you are the best!