SOUTH-WEST
A horse who had an operation on a
throat cyst the size of a golf ball has
claimed a double win at West Wilts.
Taylor Denness and her 18hh
Gues won the medium 73 and
the elementary 49. Taylor, 21,
originally bought the seven-year-
old KWPN from Vicki Thompson-
Winfield, but he had over a year
of after his operation.
“We gave him lots of time as he
was growing and then my mum
Karen took him out a few times,”
said Taylor. “She did a fabulous
job, but I’ve taken him back now
as I’ve finished my degree. He has
a huge amount of enthusiasm for
everything.”
Dominique Mills topped both
elementaries at Colraine on Gill
Dewick’s Kings Rhapsody III,
before also heading both mediums
with her 13-year-old Anemone.
The 10-year-old Kings
Rhapsody III, by Kings Composer,
had an operation to have a chip
removed from his rib when he was
a youngster.
Dominique explained: “He
had to learn how to canter again.
He’s always going to be stifer on
that side, but he can work through
it now.”
Dominique bought the Don
Picardi daughter Anemone 10
years ago. “I’m trying to prioritise
her at the moment and give her
more arena time,” she said.
SCOTLAND
Beth Grimwood enjoyed a prelim
silver win on home territory with
her new ride, Samantha Laing’s
Kings Cottons Miracle.
The seven-year-old mare, also
known as Cleo, is owned and
bred by Samantha, who is the
head groom and yard manager at
Rockrose, and by the late event
stallion King Cotton Gold.
“I’ve only been riding Cleo
for two weeks as my horse is
currently on field rest. Samantha
has kindly let me ride her to keep
me occupied over the winter,”
said Beth.
“She’s a fantastic mare with a
super brain and is always eager to
work and do well, which makes
you smile every time you ride her.
We haven't made many plans
yet but, if she does well over the
next couple of months, she may
hopefully qualify for the winter
regionals and Samantha hopes
to compete her in Area Festivals
next year.
“We’re just having fun at the
moment and I’m grateful to
Samantha for letting me ride her
special horse,” Beth added.
Vivion Gizzi completed
medium silver winter qualification
with San Salvador II following
wins at Rockrose and Morris.
The talented San Schufro
eight-year-old has recently
started at advanced medium
and Vivion explained that she
has been pleased with their
recent progress.
“He’s got his tempi changes
and feels as though he’s moved
up a level in his training and
confidence. I was pleased with his
tests, they felt harmonious and
confi dent,” said Vivion.
SOUTH-EAST
Emma McGurk’s high-scoring
youngster has set a new high at
novice after a quiet summer.
The foal Emma bought for his
“look at me” quality is catching
the judges’ eyes, too. Emma’s
leggy 17hh five-year-old Iambic M
(Hofrat x UB40) scored 75.3% for
a novice qualifier at Petley Wood,
and then earned 70% for a small
arena novice 24.
“I haven’t done much with
him this summer and didn’t go
to the regionals because of the
heat,” said Emma. “Instead, I have
been developing Iambic’s way of
going at home. He’s developed
strength and grown up. Judge
Penny Haywood wrote: ‘Presents
a superb uphill picture and easy
rhythm’. She also gave him a nine
for his walk.
“He arrived at the show
completely in the zone and stayed
focused in the warm-up and
throughout his tests.”
A number of riders in the
region have introduced new rides
recently. One of those is Josh
Hill, who competed Samantha
Bloquet’s Bretton Woods seven-
year-old Bailey B at Brendon
Stud, winning the novices on
72.91% and 70.96%.
Josh commented: “I’m
producing Bailey for Sam’s
daughter Morgann, who has
switched from eventing and will
hopefully do juniors on him.
“Bailey is one of the most
talented horses I’ve ridden, but
I’m in the process of improving
the basics. He hasn’t learnt to use
his hindlegs yet, but will take his
forelegs as high as you like.”
Karen Mathers’ latest retrained
racehorse project, the six-year-old
Aussie Berry, made his debut at
Pachesham, scoring 70.51% and
72.5% in the prelims.
“He has an amazing
temperament and is very
trainable,” said Karen.
Jane Hudson won a novice
with 71.11% riding Sans Soucis Du
Lys, an 11-year-old former eventer.
“I was judging at Parwood and
told show organiser Sam Osborn
that I was hanging up my boots.
She said I must see ‘Saucy’ and
the next week I bought him,”
said Jane.
EAST
Anand Patel and Bandito achieved
three back-to-back medium wins.
Anand and Tower Hill
Equestrian’s 11-year-old Painted
Black gelding took both mediums
at Topthorn on Wednesday, and
followed that up with another
medium win at the weekend at
Anvil Park Stud.
“Bandit hasn’t done a lot
through the summer as I was so
busy, and this is only his second
time at this level, so three wins
in a week is pretty impressive,”
Anand said.
“He’s not an overly
conventional ride: he’s incredibly
sharp and forward-thinking,
so you always have to be one
step ahead in order to channel
the immense power in the right
direction. It takes a bit of working
in his own system but he’s
certainly one to watch,” Anand
conluded.