Debut win for Bendybob

Rockrose Equestrian Sports Centre, East Lothian

SEASONED eventer Bendybob attempted a first prix st georges (PSG) with David Gatherer, scoring 64.87%.

“I’ve always wanted to train a horse to do all the grand prix movements,” said David, a Renfrewshire-based British Eventing (BE) coach. “I’ve had a few lessons with Charlie Hutton, and Liz Mackenzie has also been very supportive. Between them, they coerced me into trying a PSG.

“Bendy has always been a lovely mover but he can get tense,” added David. “There was some damage limitation in the test and I know he can go better, but it’s been fun. I love him to bits.”

Reformed character Karisma II excelled at elementary with two plus-70% wins under Jo Barry.

“You sometimes get that feeling from a horse that makes you realise why you get up at stupid o’clock every day,” said Jo. “What a girl!”

Karisma was so “hideous” from foalhood to three years, explained

Jo, that her yard team would draw straws to deal with her.

“She bit, she kicked; you name it, she did it,” she said of the homebred San Amour mare, who is out of Jo’s Donnerhall mare Donnabel and half-sister to Vivaldi V and Hidalgo II. “We sent her to Scott McLellan for breaking, which was the making of her. She now has a purpose and something to occupy her mind.

“The change has been remarkable,” added Jo. “You can tell when a horse is really on your side.”