A 16-year-old gelding triumphs
after several years out and a record-
breaking pony continues his streak
A HORSE who spent six years
turned away recovering from an
injury defied the odds to claim the
open horse of the year title in his
first full season back in harness.
Luddington Maestro, owned
by Fred and Charlene Vyse and
driven by their father Peter, was
in strong company to take the
top accolade, beating Joey Peters’
three-time champion, Wentworth
Ebony, into reserve.
“It’s a bit of a shock after
such a long break; we’re over the
moon with him,” said Fred, who
also watched the horse secure
championships at the British
Driving Society annual show,
Equifest and Hickstead this year.
The 16-year-old gelding was
originally bought as a five-year-
old for private driving, but his
action soon made it clear that
he was more suited to a career
in the wagon, where he found
early success.
“His first season out he won
the novice championship at the
Hackney breed show (at Ardingly)
and a month later he damaged a
front suspensory — his action is so
extravagant and he really extends
his front legs, so it was very
obvious something was wrong,”
Fred explained.
“We took him up to
Newmarket where they operated.
They warned us there was a
chance he might not come right
and it didn’t work — so we turned
him out in the field for six years.”
Last year, the family decided
to give the son of Heldon Minstrel
another go and, after some
dedicated rehabilitation, he has
delivered on his original promise.
“He wasn’t using his front
legs properly at first but we got
him some physio, which the vet
recommended. Every day we
stretch his front legs before and
after exercise to try to reduce the
chance of it happening again,”
Fred said.
“So many people said he’d
never come right but we got lucky
with him, so we couldn’t be more
pleased as he’s such a kind, lovely
horse to be around.”
UP THE ANTIE
RECLAIMS TITLE
REUBEN CARTER’S precocious
Aghaderg Let’s Up The Antie
claimed the open pony title for the
second consecutive year, despite
still being eligible for novice. The
six-year-old has whitewashed
the major titles this season, also
topping the open pony line-up
at the summer’s breed show as
well as the hackney wagon title
at Addington.
“I’ve always had faith in her
and knew she could do it again,”
said Reuben. “She’s like a fireball
and gives you 100%.”
It was the third consecutive
year an Aghaderg pony has taken
the open sash [the 2016 title went
to the Hafenden’s Aghaderg
Supreme Demonstrator], and
Irish breeder Paul Trimble was
there to witness the win.
“Mr Trimble said she’s the best
pony he’s ever bred and he’s bred
some nice ponies — he always
likes to say he has a better one at
home but this time he said, ‘I don’t
think I have,’” Reuben added.
It was Reuben’s work colleague
of 25 years, John Cresswell, who
looked to have a friendly rivalry
in the pipeline with his novice
champion Noddyvyse Casanova,
who will step up to open next year.
“He’s knocking on the door of
Reuben’s pony for next season,”
said John, who bought the
eight-year-old stallion, who has
mixed British and American
bloodlines, four years ago from
farrier Richard Walker.
The son of The Postmaster
has been driven and produced
this season by Sue Barraclough,
who has a brilliant track record in
this class.
“I’ve shown him for three
seasons and he’s been at the top
of his game the whole time,” said
Sue, who has relocated to Wales
this year. “He was really on song
and lifted for the crowd; it would
have taken a damn good pony to
beat him.”
The record-breaking Seamair
Showman — who took an
unprecedented three titles in the
novice, open and international
back in 2010 — put his name to
the international line-up once
more, also standing open reserve.
Showman was bought by
Devon-based Greg Dowle six years
ago and has spent the past two
seasons being trained and driven
by Georgina Turner — whom the
13-year-old gelding tempted out
of semi-retirement.
“He still puts his heart and soul
into it, he’s such a genuine pony,”
said Greg. “He didn’t do anything
for two or three years with his
previous owner [Bill Stubbs]
and it’s taken a while to get him
going again. Now he’s back going
as he should do but he takes a bit
more looking after to keep him
fluid — fortunately one of the
girls who works for me is a
massage therapist, which helps.
“It’s the open title that has
eluded us, so we plan to keep
going with him until we get the
pony of the year,” he added.