I Diablo Joe shows his angelic side
Geoffrey Burton strikes with his first home-bred exceeding expectations, as showjumping lines dominate
OWNER/BREEDER Geoffrey Burton had a modicum of ambition for his first home-bred in that he hoped one day to compete I Diablo Joe himself. Geoffrey certainly never imagined that the first foal he bred would take him to Burghley and gain him an armful of prizes for winning the Burghley four-yearold young event horse final — a feat most breeders only dream of.
Ridden by Ginnie Turnbull (one of three in the top 10 for the Leicestershire young horse producer), I Diablo Joe is by the Dutch-bred stallion Solaris Amoureux out of a mare by The Outlaw. Joe proved the pick of the top 10 for suitability judge Blyth Tait, who gave him the highest marks for ride.
“I simply sent him to Ginnie to be backed with the aim of me doing some unaffiliated eventing with him,” said an emotional Geoffrey, who has since bred two more from his only broodmare, Scylla. “However Ginnie thought he was rather nice and asked if she could keep the ride.”
“Joe” has also qualified for the British Eventing championships at Osberton, as has Annie Bellamy’s second-placed I’G-W, a Dutch-bred gelding acquired at Brightwells’ August 2016 Elite sale.
“He has an incredible brain, is very laid-back, has endless scope and is a serious jumper,” said Annie.
Nick and Sally Moore’s homebred chestnut mare Summer Nights stood third with Kat Raybould. This daughter of leading British sire Cevin Z gained the highest marks for jumping and was the best-placed mare in the class.
ANOTHER 10/10
THE five-year-old final was won by Wexford-based Tracy Walshe with Poynstown Stonehaven. He is owned by Irish event rider Michelle Kenny and Rafael Sanctuary of River Lodge Equestrian, recently established in East Sussex.
Irish-bred Poynstown Stonehaven, by the showjumper KEC Maximum Joe, displayed his own aptitude for jumping as he gained high marks in this section as well as 10/10 for suitability from Blyth Tait.
“This is a great shop window and it’s good to have a horse in the final; it’s a pinnacle to aim for,” said Rafael.
Heidi Woodhead took second with Harieko DHI, an eye-catching bay gelding by Contendro, while Vicky Brake took third with her own Irish-bred Coolparks Sarco, another by the Darco son Shannondale Sarco.
Emilie Chandler and her own fourth-placed Hazzle Dazzle gained the best British-bred prize. Acquired as a yearling and bred by neighbour Nicola Trigg, Hazzle Dazzle is by William Funnell’s international jumper Billy Congo. Miss Cooley — a daughter of the prolific jumping sire Ramiro B — was ridden to fifth place with Oliver Townend and was the highest-placed mare.