Gladiator’s a triple threat
Horses with the Noble prefix up hold their family honour, while a catch ride proves fruitful for one amateur rider
HAVING already qualified her mother Katrina’s Noble Gladiator (OB) for the middleweight and working hunter finals at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), Eleanor Hirst found another string to their bow and secured a third ticket when OB topped an 18-strong ladies’ side-saddle class.
“We thought we’d try Mum’s old side-saddle on for fun and OB really took to me riding sideways. This is only our second outing, but as he’s normally a very polite and balanced ride, I didn’t have to work too hard,” said Eleanor, who bought the Dunkerrin Leader
seven-year-old from former owner and rider Kelly Ward last season.
LUCK OF THE IRISH
ANOTHER winner successfully carrying the Noble prefix was Jasean Spraggett’s Noble Queen Bee, who made light work of a tricky working hunter course to win the HOYS qualifier.
Irish-bred by Garrison Royal, “Sally” is another who successfully carries the side-saddle and she was Hickstead bound for both championships a week later.
Sally hunts with the Cottesmore and has an enviable list of major wins and titles to her credit including the Noble Bing supreme and overall worker supreme at the British Show
Pony Society summer and British Show Horse Association National championships last season.
“She is so mannerly and adjustable and the more technical and trappy the course, the better she goes,” said Jasean.
Sue Walker took the open hunter tricolour riding Ros Maxwell’s winning heavyweight The Parishoner (Tiger).
The Crosstown Dancer nineyear-old qualified for Birmingham and Hickstead last year and returns again this term.
“Tiger is an absolute gentleman at home and to ride. He goes through the gears smoothly and, for a big horse, he is nimble on his feet and only needs a light rein contact,” said Sue.
Kimberley Stanworth took the reserve with her middleweight nine-year-old Greenwich Park.
Continuing their winning ways were Charles Le Moignan and Brookdale Masterpiece, who topped the small hunter line-up.
Owners Richard and Pauline Binks bought the Cavanagarvan Cavalier nine-year-old last year and he was quick off the mark this season winning at NCPA Newark and White Rose County, before gaining two places recently at the national championships.
“He has good limbs and is a small hunter through and through,” said Charles.
Amy Cook took the amateur title with her middle/heavyweight winner Mr Darcy Dancer.
The son of Crosstown Dancer is still low mileage due to a couple of “growth spurts” and Amy’s fulltime work with wedding carriages.
“I don’t get many weekends off, so I make the most of midweek dates like this one. Dancer is a big horse who needs time and miles on the clock now. He settles into a lovely rhythm and gives an armchair ride,” said Amy, who qualified for HOYS at Great Yorkshire the previous week.
DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
DAVID BENNETT and the five-year-old Supernova (Oscar) took the HOYS coloured championship.
David bought the native pony as a foal from Kirkby Stephen auction and, after a successful inhand career, Oscar is continuing his success under saddle.
The piebald gelding was a HOYS finalist last year and after two recent second places, it proved third time lucky as he claimed a return ticket here.
“At home he’s a fun pony, but in the ring he has masses of presence,” said David.
Rachel Cowan’s coloured nonnative horse So Sweet took the reserve for Megan Thompson.
Found unbroken by Val and Camilla Sheehan, Rachel produced the mare for a friend before buying her three years ago.
“She’s a beautiful ride with manners to burn; she never has an off day,” said Megan.