Louise Saywell triumphs again
A winning rider makes it two wins on the trot, while a hot favourite is invincible and a 15-hour journey pays dividends
LOUISE SAYWELL secured the Westcoast Express ladies’ title for the second consecutive year on Graham Ward’s Feigtling, an acute turn to the penultimate vertical giving her the edge.
“He’s always looking for the next fence and is so sharp on turns,” said Louise, who rides the 12-year-old in an Elevator bit. “He can get eager in front and this bit works,” she added.
Lesley Mitton scored a double with Heart Of Savannah, a
Heart Throb 12-year-old and regular Cheshire Draghounds hunter she bought from breeder Barbara Scott.
The 95cm title was won from the front.
“We were staying here overnight but she was off her head, so we went home and put her in the field with her friends. She was perfect this morning,” said whipper-in Lesley, who used the same tactics two days later.
It worked. They went on to take the Buckaroo Saddlery adventurer championship, beating usual speedster Emma-Jo Slater and Fielina II by three seconds.
A favourite to win the Tacklockers.com 1m novice, Emma-Jo was invincible, taking the top three places. The on-form Kings Of Leon, recently crowned British novice and discovery champion, took victory in the penultimate draw.
“I got some practice in with the first two,” said Emma-Jo, who took second on Fielina II and third with her opener on Charlotte Steel’s Harmony Z.
“Leon” has grown in personality since owner Kim Barzilay bought the Argento eight-year-old last November.
“He used to be so methodical and now it’s, ‘Let’s get in the ring’,” said Emma-Jo, who executed the tightest of turn-backs to the double to secure the win. “He has scope to burn,” she added.
Mark Edwards topped a thrilling, 12-strong jump-off to take the EMS Asset Management B&C title with daring turns on Quidde Du Buisson Z. It was another ambition achieved for owners Tony and Bernice Hill.
“Tony’s been after winning a rug all season!” said Mark, who broke this Quartz II Adelheid Z eight-year-old in as a threeyear-old.
Bernice works on the gelding’s flatwork and fitness at home and they meet Mark at shows.
“We didn’t have the best prep as Pembroke was sadly cancelled,” said Tony, “but the horse loves Mark — they get on so well and trust each other.”
Adam Botham clinched the Mirah Accountants blue riband title with John and Marcine Marshall’s Flipper Nouveau, a Flipper D’Elle seven-year-old bought from his former boss, Tim Stockdale, six weeks ago.
“Tim rang and said: ‘I’ve got just the one for you.’ We tried him and immediately returned in the lorry to collect him,” said Adam.
“Tim didn’t really want to sell him, but he can be spooky and needs competing regularly and with Tim away a lot and no stable jockey, he was only getting to two shows a month.”
After a nightmare 15-hour journey from Scotland, Isy Lindsay made her Scope debut a winning one with the Smarter Training 1.15m title, with the sole double clear on new ride Cruise On Tina.
“We travelled to the entries address on the schedule, then had to find our way from Anglesey to Oswestry — but it was worth it,” said Isy, 16, who was at her second show with the Cruise On 10-year-old.
“A friend in Ireland knew we were looking and recommended her. I’m so happy — she’s like my pony Quantico, we clicked straightaway,” added Isy.
Courtney Thompson’s first visit to Scope was a successful one, taking the Graham Heath 85cm debut novice on the Welsh-bred Dwyfach Mabon.
“He’s my lovely 15.2hh and an absolute star,” said Courtney, 19, who works in her grandmother’s riding centre near Scotch Corner, Yorkshire, and bought the sevenyear-old in February despite the viewing not going to plan.
“He was naughty but I fell in love with him and bought him anyway,” said Courtney. “He kept running out at our local Richmond show before we came here. We were in two minds whether to come, but I’m glad that we did.”
INSTANT ATTRACTION
A TRIP to Castell Sport Horses in January paid dividends for Demi Watson when Illonois I won the four-year-old championship.
“I was looking for a young horse to bring on and was instantly attracted to him because he has a great temperament,” said Demi.
Judged on a style and performance basis by Mike Florence and Rowland Fernyhough, the quality gelding by Zambesi produced two impressive clear rounds.
After a couple of educational outings in spring, Demi turned Illonois I away before bringing him back into work a few weeks ago, the pair recently finishing eighth at the national championships.
“He’s so straightforward and he kept a good rhythm all the way,” said Demi.
Graham Babes and Ma
Fleur JS topped the five-yearold championship from penultimate draw.
The Emerald Vant Ruytershof mare was bought three years ago and Graham has produced her all the way through.
“Fleur” was a loose-jumping winner at Northcote two years ago and this season she has jumped lots of double clears at home and abroad before winning the recent five-year-old championship at Muirmill.
“She has always been a sweetheart, a real trier, and she has a great technique,” said Graham.
Simon Crippen topped the sixand seven-year-old championship riding James O’Sullivan’s
Lux Trendy.
The Irish-bred seven-yearold is normally ridden by Mark Dorgan who has produced him over the past three years and Simon rides him at the bigger shows, the pair just missing out on a Horse of the Year Show Foxhunter ticket.
“This was a big test and he was barely ready to have a go, but he responded well,” said Simon.
All credit goes to Emma Stoker who had top 10 finishes with all three of her rides for Bob Young, riding Townhead Everton De Villee (2nd), Townhead Cool Cash (4th) and Townhead Pembroke (8th).