Kent swaps sports to win
A showjumper tops an intermediate on her first attempt, while a young rider scores on her team horse
MORGAN KENT, who runs a showjumping yard with her partner Richard Howley, piloted Felda to win intermediate section B with a double clear.
The pair began eventing at BE90 in April and have been moving steadily up the grades, picking up second in the Corinthian Cup and fifth at Somerford CIC*. This was their first win.
“She’s a good-moving horse with a great brain and we had it in our minds to send her to an event rider to compete, but it never happened. We came back from the Sunshine Tour and had a free weekend, so I made a
late entry at Northallerton,” said Morgan, who bought the Lexicon x Heartbreaker eight-year-old as a foal.
“At first it was to have a go, but if you’re competitive you go to do well. The showjumping track was decent at Northallerton, which helped us, and she loved the cross-country.”
Morgan is now aiming to qualify for a two-star at the end of the season.
Matthew Wright scorched round with a double clear in the time, one of a handful to do so, to win the open intermediate (OI) on Heidi and Ian Woodhead’s and Sir John Peace’s DHI Paparazzi.
The 13-year-old was the last of his rides and Matthew let the handbrake off to finish on a respectable dressage score of 27.5. They now head to Blenheim later this month.
Matthew paid tribute to
Abigail and Andrew Turnbull, the new owners of Richmond EC and the event organisers.
“The grass management was excellent and they’ve smartened everything up, so I’m looking forward to seeing how they develop it in the future,” he said.
In second was James Adams on Jessica Powell’s Cupido IV, who added four time-penalties to a smart dressage score. The gelding has been consistent at intermediate, being placed in the top three on four occasions this season, including a win at Dalkeith last month.
‘EXCITING PROSPECT’
THE under-21 OI section was headed by Yasmin Ingham and Rehy DJ, who were fourth for the British team at the young rider European Championships in Fontainebleau in July.
Janette Chinn and Sue and Edwin Davies’ eight-year-old hasn’t been out of the placings this year. “It was a prep run for his first advanced so I wasn’t going for it, but he covers the ground,” said Yasmin.
In second was Leilia Paske, who rode as an individual in the junior competition at Fontainebleau, with Fernhill First Friend. The pair travelled from Suffolk to get an intermediate run before they go to South of England international.
Wills Oakden headed intermediate section A with
Ella MacGregor’s AKD Cooley Lockdown, and took third in the OI with Ballbreaker SD. Both horses are by Balou Du Rouet.
“Cooley Lockdown was produced superbly by Katie O’Sullivan and came to me earlier this season,” said Wills. “He’s an exciting prospect and we’re building a partnership.
“There were a lot of jumping efforts in the first part, but once the course opened up he had a very good cruising speed.”
Katie Barber and her
17hh Daytona Dreamer were second after Wills, here to try to qualify for the intermediate championships at Gatcombe next year.
The seven-year-old, by
Cobra, was bought out of Ireland as a hunter.
“He’s a good jumping horse and gave me a great ride round,” said Katie. “We’re heading to Ballindenisk two-star now.”