Miller grinds out crucial win
It’s third time lucky as Holly Miller clinches a HOYS ticket, while Harry Bateman picks up two top young horse rosettes
AFTER missing out on a Horse of the Year Show place twice in recent weeks, Holly Miller and Felicio III finally clinched a coveted ticket when heading the Addington Manor Talent Seekers qualifier.
“It had been frustrating to get close, but not close enough, but today has made up for that,” said Holly, who topped the 84-starter competition in brilliant style.
Raf Suarez set a tough, but fair, first-round course with 17 progressing through to the jumpoff, in which the winners took an early lead.
“This was a testing course and I’m so happy for him,” said Holly. “Felicio wants to jump and after last competing in big grass rings, he came to a smaller arena on a surface and jumped his socks off. We kept a good rhythm, steered tight lines everywhere and he took every fence on.”
Holly recently finished third in Foxhunter (Area 14) and newcomers (Area 15) second rounds on Felicio. The Aberdeen-based rider bought her Vittorio x Heartbreaker sevenyear-old three years ago and has produced him throughout.
“We do a serious amount of travelling, but he takes it all in his stride,” added Holly. “He has a fantastic temperament and the more I ask, the better he goes.”
Also earning a place in Birmingham’s Addington Manor Talent Seekers final were next placed James Smith (Just Max), Chris Smith (Elmo Hill) and Pippa Allen (Carthagon GZ).
James Whitaker and Mersley
‘He never lets up the pace and he loves to be dared’
RACHAEL CONNOR ON SEVEN-YEAR-OLD WINNER ZAHA
Chakotay maintained their form when clinching a decisive win in the Mizon Event Services grand prix.
On their previous outing, this determined pair topped the area trial at Wales and West. Here they set an unbeatable target in the five-strong jump-off, maintaining their blistering early pace before pulling off an acute turn to the second last fence.
“He prefers to go forward and always seems more careful in a jump-off,” said James. “This was a tough track, but the faster we go, the better he likes it. He made a good turn back to the second last and that made it easy to take strides out to the final fence. We were a bit off it, but it was a big oxer and I wouldn’t have wanted to be much closer.”
James had a 1.5-second winning margin over Scottish rider James Smith and Twix De La Roque. The Scot is just a month into his partnership with the Kannan 10-year-old, who was previously ridden in France by Geoffroy De Coligny and Michel Hécart.
BATEMAN’S MONOPOLY
AFTER two days of preliminary rounds, the young horse finals provided a feast of top-class jumping and Raf Suarez set courses of increasing technicality.
Essex rider Harry Bateman dominated the five-year-old final, clinching first and third places onhis own Zuniek VD Tojopehoeve Z (Zola), a daughter of Zirocco Blue VDL, and Ingrid Wood’s Heerdelon.
As Harry is usually busy with outside rides, it was a rare opportunity to ride Zola, whom he bought unbroken.
“I’ve recently had to put other jockeys on her, so I’m delighted to take the ride today,” said Harry. “This is the hardest and highest she’s been pushed and she’s answered every question. We’re both pretty competitive and I think she’s ready for the next level now.”
Following on from heading the six-year-old final last year with Fantastic, local rider
Rachael Connor maintained her championship form by taking the seven-year-old title riding Zaha.
Having benefited from coaching with British Showjumping’s Step Up To
Gold programme, Rachael and Zaha recently jumped their first world rankings class in Bonheiden, Belgium, and after recent training with John Steels, Rachael has made a productive tack change from a double to a snaffle bridle.
“Everything seemed effortless for him,” said Rachael. “He never lets up the pace and he loves to be dared; I can really crack on with him now.”
Beth Vernon topped the sixyear-old final with Annbalou, her Balou Du Rouet mare who is out of former showjumper Angeline. Beth is in her first season with Annbalou who has quickly stepped up from newcomer level and recently qualified for the Big Star (six-year-old) championship to be held at the British Showjumping national championships.
“She’s has loads of ability and she pulled off a brilliant turn to a big oxer off barely a stride,” said Beth.
Pippa Goddard recorded a 100% strike rate in the fouryear-old final. The Kent rider maintained a zero score with all four of her rides, who shared equal first place with 10 others producing double clears.
As an added bonus for
Pippa, she took the style and performance award riding Tom Williams’ Nero Van De Kwade Heyde, a Belgian-bred daughter of Echo Van’t Spieveld.
“She’s a beautiful ride and combines everything you want in a showjumper,” said Pippa. “This is only her third show and she is so scopey and light off the floor.”