SOUTH-EAST
Ben Smith’s Faran, who was deemed “too fizzy” for showjumping, now has prix st georges (PSG) in his sights.
‘My trainer Paul Hayler has helped me make use of
Faran’s nervous energy’
ADVANCED MEDIUM WINNER BEN SMITH
Ben and Faran achieved 65.53% at advanced medium on their second attempt at the level competing at Chester Hall Events’ Speedgate Farm.
“It’s taken a long time for us to get used to each other,” said Ben of Faran, his first horse who he bought when he was 17. At the time the Voltaire x Flemmingh four-year-old prospective showjumper was in Damian Charles’ yard to be sold.
Ben, now 25 and a freelance rider, continued: “My trainer Paul Hayler understands that talented horses can get het up when they make mistakes, and has helped me use his nervous energy. If we do some tempi changes first, the single changes become calmer.
“We plan to have a go at our first PSG in August.”
Debra Barr’s 11-year-old Friesian Tjade Fan Lutke Peinjum (TJ) scored 68.68% under rider Daniel Timson for his first advanced medium 98 at
Step Aside.
“TJ has a fantastic character; both in his head and heart,” said Daniel. “He’s adapted to flying changes very well but will, I think, make a better PSG horse because he has great potential in his canter work for pirouettes and tempis.”
Amy Maris and Frouwke used the power of positive thinking in their novice qualifier.
“After our 65.86% first test, and a pep talk from my trainer Melissa Smith, I went back in and rode more positively and ‘Flora’ was a completely different horse. We scored 75.16% from the same judge,” said Amy.