An Electric performance from Capper
Arena UK Small Pony Premier, Lincs
AMY CAPPER underlined an already impressive winter premier season when she won both a 128cm and 138cm winter qualifier, as well as adding a fifth Hickstead ticket to her collection.
She topped Sunday’s winter 128cm class with the already qualified Dooneens Electric, jumping the quickest of two clears in a head-to-head with the equally consistent Lucia Caroline riding Desdemone Du Marquais.
Lucia also picked up third place (Living The Dream), with the top ticket passing to Georgia Hogan and Darth Moll in fourth – the only other pairing eligible to qualify by jumping the first round clear.
“I was last to go, so I knew what I had to beat,” said Amy, who’ll be competing at the Royal International for the first time, choosing from three rides in the 128cm with two also qualified in the 138cm.
Amy was also one of two riders to make the third round in Sunday’s winter 138cm qualifier, winning on Rathcoona James after firstto-go Portia Taylor-Wilson (Mirehill Mist) tipped the last.
PLAYBOY VIES FOR A FIFTH TITLE
AN extra ticket each day was on offer, compensating for the cancellation of Morris Equestrian, and Amy was able to secure her trip to Hickstead with Playboy Van De Zoetewei, on whom she finished seventh and fourth.
“He’s won the final four times before, with Tabitha Kyle, my sister Lucy and with Tilly Bamford, so I really wanted to get him qualified,” Amy added.
Portia and the precocious six-year-old mare Misty picked up the top ticket, giving the rider, who had already qualified Whitehorn
Smokey, two ponies in the 138cm final, plus one in the 128cm.
Ella Kay and new ride Icaris W stormed to the top of the other 138cm second round.
“’Herbie’ has a really long stride, so I moved a bit round the corners and kept it quite tight, but didn’t do all the turns,” she said.
Two out of six combinations were clear in the jump-off of the first day’s 128cm second round. Victory went to Anya Dewey Clarke (Jim), who pipped reigning 128cm winter champion Annabel Widdowson (Bunbury Conquest).
There were seven tickets available to 128cms here but only three combinations qualified, as riders must go clear in the first round.
Rafi Johnson (Lambay Off Broadway) also qualified in the 128cms, while Annabel Widdowson (Whinney Lass) added a third qualified pony by jumping a great clear.
“I knew what I had to beat”
AMY CAPPER