Checkmate makes his move
NINE months ago, the future for Carlie Lewis’ BE90 winner, Rollestone Checkmate (Rio), looked bleak. Having been consistent until that point, the then nine-year-old gelding’s performances started to become erratic, culminating in stops in both jumping phases.
“He was fine on a surface, but he didn’t want to know on grass,” explained Carlie, a onehorse rider who works full-time as a media sales director for a newspaper company. “After various investigations, my vet, Steven Walsh, from Towcester Equine Clinic, found that Rio had some tiny arthritic changes in his hocks. Given his young age, it wasn’t good news, and I was prepared that he may never come back to eventing.”
With treatment, a winter of slow work and hydrotherapy,
Rio made a successful return to competition in April.
“Touch wood, he has come back really well, but I am careful with his management,” said Carlie.
This has been an extra big challenge as Carlie has to fit in riding at either end of the day and does not have the benefit of stables at home.
“He’s kept on DIY livery, so I have to work hard to get results. I thought the BE90 was a strong track, so it felt like a real achievement,” she said.
This popular Warwickshire event, organised by Lands Eventing, ran two full BE105 sections over a course that proved to be a good stepping stone to novice.
“It’s helpful to be able to move up in stages,” said Ruth Whitmore, who headed section F with her home-bred gelding, Ideal Illusion. “He’s a big horse — 17.1hh — and, although he is established at BE100, he has taken a long time to mature and gain confidence, so this class is ideal for him.”
Kerry Emms, who topped the second BE105 section on Spiders Secret Weapon, finished third in the same class last year.
“She’s only run four times this season due to cancellations and balloting, but this was her second win,” said Kerry, who has owned her mare since she was four. “She’s really easy and straightforward; even my 10-year-old daughter can handle her.”