SOUTH-WEST

Event rider Holly Wright, who gave up riding for 11 years, wins both novices on home-bred horses at her first BD affiliated show.

Holly, 32, moved away from Looe in Cornwall when she was out of juniors, but came back four years ago to help run the family holiday rental cottages.

“I am really inspired now because I’m riding for myself and there’s no pressure surrounding teams or training,” said Holly.

Riding her seven-year-old Primitive Star III, by Primitive Academy, Holly topped 79% in the novice 28 at Duchy College, while her mother Linda’s Minacks Maid, nine, won the novice 38 qualifier.

“I have been eventing them both this year and felt it was time I learned some new movements,” said Holly, who has been helped by Alison Abbey since she was 10.

Rachel Frost, 53, headed the novice 34 at Badgworth Arena on her nine-year-old Dspecial, by Special D, whom she bought unseen as a yearling.

“He’s always been genuine, but we wouldn’t be where we are today without all the help from Virginia Peters,” said Rachel, a dairy farmer.

“Dspecial hadn’t had a hard week and was rather fresh, so I had to be tactful.”

Charlotte Feltham and her 15-year-old Illusion II won the elementary 53 qualifier at Half Moon Stud on their final outing before Bicton’s Area Festival.

“Illusion won the best veteran at Hartpury last year, and it would be so lovely to do it again,” said Charlotte. Winners of the novice 34 at Badgworth: dairy farmer Rachel Frost bought the now nine-yearold Dspecial (by Special D) as an unseen yearling