Team Dixon is back and firing on all cylinders

RIDERS from the North took the opportunity to compete for up to three days at South View’s first show since lockdown.

Travelling from Cumbria was a wise decision for Jonathan Dixon whose team of horses dominated the major classes. Jonathan took the 1.30m honours on day one with Bahamas Courage, with his stable jockey Sandy McLean close behind on Gino F.

On day two, it was Sandy’s turn to top the 1.30m class, and in the final day’s 1.30m/1.40m class, there was another one-two for the pair. This time, Jonathan was the winner on Fiona, with Sandy riding the seven-year-old Captain Sharkey – winner of two Foxhunter classes during the show – into second place.

Jonathan is grateful for Sandy’s help as he currently has 43 horses in work at his yard and works in the family horsebox building business.

“Although he’s still only 17, Sandy’s already a very good jockey,” said Jonathan. “Gino F is almost ready for ranking classes and I’m hoping he might be the horse to take Sandy onto youth teams.”

Ten-year-old Bahamas Courage, who is half-owned by Denise Ollerton, has been with Jonathan for just over a year and has already competed at two-star shows. He also has high hopes for Captain Sharkey, whom he owns with Michael Riley.

“He’s scopey and rideable and I’m looking forward to seeing him progress,” he said.

Jonathan thinks that Sunday’s winner, Fiona, could become his top horse.

“She’s by Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve and is a big, heavy type of mare, but she’s incredibly careful. She hates to touch a pole,” he said.

Although Team Dixon took all the major honours, local rider Martha Newall was also in great form, winning a 1.10m and 1.20m open on Casquetta SN. Martha keeps her mare on a yard within hacking distance of South View, but works full-time as a surveyor for a leading house building company, so can only compete at weekends.

“I’m a bit shocked to win twice,” said Martha, who has had Casquetta SN for three years. “We’ve done a bit of everything from fun rides to competing twice in the silver league final at HOYS.”