Potter casts a victory spell
A rescue horse with royal connections is top of the class at Calmsden (1), while a former gypsy trotter
and a gelding bought unseen from Ireland also make their mark. reports
WORLD HORSE WELFARE HARRY POTTER, the winner of BE90 section 0 at the Equifeast-sponsored Calmsden (1), on 30-31 July, has many claims to fame. His most recent was meeting the Princess Royal two weeks prior to his victory here.
As his name suggests, the eight-year-old chestnut was a former rescue case. World Horse Welfare stepped in and took charge of him in 2009 after he had been living on a site with 30 other horses, as well as sheep, pigs, chickens, goats and rabbits — and only one owner.
“He was underweight, riddled with lice and had not been castrated, nor had he received much handling,” said his rider, Kate McCormack, who rehomed Harry and has struck up a successful partnership with him.
“I’ve rehomed horses before, but Harry wasn’t exactly what I had in mind when I was looking for another. He was a big, fluffy cob,” she laughed.
Kate, who lives in Glastonbury and often takes Harry back to the equine charity’s rehoming centre in nearby Somerton for open days and functions, started eventing the gelding last year.
“This was actually a step down for him as we competed in the BE100 at Chepstow last time out, but had a rotational fall,” explained Kate, who was left with “a few” broken ribs and a cracked sternum.
“It didn’t seem to faze Harry in the slightest, though, as he was as bold as ever here.”
Lynda Cockrill earned her first red rosette in five years aboard Amoreal in BE100 section M, while two riders celebrated double wins: Laura Ridout at BE90 level with Elizabeth Wilson’s home-bred Dorset Mill and her own Coolodge Sox, and Jessie Vanassche, who took a BE90 section with Da Vinci II and a BE80(T) with Mystical Baby.
Laura said: “Sox is very consistent and his win wasn’t a surprise, but this is Dorset Mill’s first season eventing, so I wasn’t expecting this result so soon.”
Organiser Jo Verey was thrilled with the entries, the weather and the smoothrunning of the event.
A mark of this popular fixture is the number of riders who turn up for the prize-giving. “We give good prizes and this year our title sponsors, Equifeast, gave double clear rosettes in the BE80(T), for which riders were very grateful,” explained Jo.