Rainbow returns with a vengeance
An amateur partnership lifts the overall hunter title over an onform five-year-old and his owner
Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Cattows Farm, Leics A TWISTED fetlock put Chasing Rainbows’ 2017 showing season on hold, but with a win here in the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) middleweight division, the grandson of Voltaire proved he’s back on winning form. The 17hh dark brown gelding, owned and ridden by Sara Neachell, has had a great run this season, finishing second at Royal Windsor and winning at Staffs County.
“He injured himself at the Royal International [RIHS] last year which was a shame,” said Sara. “He pulled a shoe off and twisted his fetlock. He probably could have gone to HOYS, but I felt he’d missed quite a lot and he’s too good to rush,” added Sara, who works for her family business selling Ifor Williams trailers.
Eight-year-old Chasing Rainbows is in his second season with Sara and came back to the show ring in April.
“He’s qualified for RIHS in both the amateur final and the open,” said Sara. “And hopefully we’re on track to go to HOYS in October. I’ve just got him at home with my children’s ponies,” added Sara, who went on to clinch the overall hunter title. “He went really well and the judges commented that he had real character when galloping.”
‘LUCKY TO HAVE HIM’
RESERVE went to Glenkeeran Dance In The Deep (Fintan), a five-year-old gelding who won the lightweight qualifier. Camilla Davies bought the son of Irish Draught stallion Crosstown Dancer from his breeder, Maria Melvin, after his success at Royal Dublin show last year.
“He won the four-year-old lightweight section and stood reserve supreme of show at Dublin,” said Camilla, who has been focusing on novice and amateur classes this season.
This was the combination’s first attempt in a HOYS qualifier.
“This was only our second open class so I’m incredibly pleased with him,” added Camilla.
Dance In The Deep, who
is out of a thoroughbred mare by Snurge, has so far finished amateur champion at North of England Spring, second in the novice at Royal Windsor and reserve supreme amateur hunter at the National Hunter Show.
His win here will mark Camilla’s first trip to Birmingham since 2011, where she finished second riding Standing Ovation in the middleweight final.
“We’re a home-produced team,” said Camilla. “We live on a dairy farm and I have to hack to the nearest manège. Fintan loves hacking and so do I. He’s a joy to ride, always has his ears pricked and I’m very lucky to have him.”
David Bennett partnered Paul Ellis’ home-bred Baileys Brother to win the HOYS small hunter class. The bay gelding, who is a Welsh part-bred, was having his first outing of the season.
Michaela Bowling rode Susan Simmons’ Zepper to a win in the HOYS working hunter class. The 13-year-old, by Solitaire, went on to stand working hunter champion. “He was champion at North of England Spring with Susan and they just missed their HOYS ticket at Cheshire County,” said Michaela. “He comes to me later in the season as Susan is busy with work, family and hunting commitments — she’s senior master of the Holcombe Hunt. She’s field mastered with Zepper for four seasons, so he’s a true working hunter,” added Michaela, who finished second with him at Royal Highland.