Cicoly earns her moment
One rider’s first visit to the popular venue results in Hickstead qualification, while a promising new partnership also claims a well-deserved ticket
JOHN GARTON-POPE made the most of his first visit to Bishop Burton by clinching a ticket to the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS), when Cicoly D produced a smooth double clear to win the winter B&C qualifier.
Nine combinations contesting this jump-off made sure the two Hickstead tickets were hardfought, and two deserving finalists won through to the July final, as Rachael Connor claimed second with her championship specialist, Fantastic.
Neil Foster’s course struck a good balance in the first round and his jump-off course included a mixture of rollbacks and long runs. Chasing a fast time set by Rachael Connor, John GartonPope decided to use Cicoly’s scope.
“She is usually the bridesmaid of the stable, but as she has recently stepped up to grand prix level, I thought we would go for it. I knew she was brave and careful, so rather than upset her rhythm, I decided to save time on the turns.
“The water tray oxer three from home was a decent fence off a tight turn, but I knew she was capable of clearing it,” said John,
who bought his Upgrade 11-yearold seven years ago.
While the new date, rescheduled because of the winter snow, did not find favour with everyone — mainly due to a clash with the well-established Chepstow meeting — Rachael Connor was pleased to take second in this late qualifier with her Casantos eight-year-old, Fantastic (Fifi).
“She has done quite a lot of jumping, so I gave her a winter break and this is her first big class back,” said Rachael, who has carefully produced Fifi through the grades.
She defied vets by surviving a severe case of pleuropneumonia — let alone coming back to competitive action and needing a year off as a five-year-old — but has since gone on to achieve an enviable record.
The careful mare was the
2016 six-year-old champion at Northcote and she qualified for the Talent Seekers and Foxhunter final (third) at Birmingham last October. Fifi also knows her way around the international arena at Hickstead, as she was second in the 2017 championship.
“I knew what we had to do to qualify. She’s a real trier, but as she’s not yet fully fit, I wanted to do just enough,” said Rachael. “We missed out at South View with the last fence down for third, but this time everything worked out. She now feels ready to step up a level.”
‘SHE’S SHARP IN THE RING’
TWO more RIHS tickets were on offer in the winter novice qualifier and in an 11-strong jump-off, Adrian Speight riding Ringwood Cookie (see box, left) and William Bayes-Jones and Arianna (Minnie) claimed their places in the July championship.
As pathfinder over the tempting jump-off track, William had to win his ticket the hard way, and he almost set an unbeatable standard with a stunning gallop to the second-last and an acute turn back into the final upright.
“Minnie is quite sharp in the ring and likes to get to her fences, but I don’t mind that as I just let her chill out at home with plenty of hacks and field time,” said William, who is based with Graham Lovegrove and Louise Saywell.
William, 19, is just three months into his partnership with the Handel eight-year-old mare, the pair just back from competing in Cagnes-sur-Mer.
“We were jumping at a higher level in France, so this was a nice step down for her before the newcomer second rounds. This is the first time I have pushed her against the clock, but we had to set a good target and it was great to see how well she coped,” concluded William.
Lisa Jones and Diana P produced a typically determined round to secure the top money prize on offer in the £200-to-thewinner national 1.30m.
“She’s careful and scopey, and I never have to push her out of her stride as she’s naturally quick,” said Lisa, who hopes to get an embryo from Diana this year.