Hunters Equestrian, Bicton and more
Fiona Bigwood enjoys a successful grand prix debut with a championship prospect on a family outing, while Emile Faurie’s team is on form
“HE is definitely my type,” said Fiona Bigwood after a 73% grand prix win on her competition debut with Fame XX.
“I love that hot personality in a horse; the warm-up is all about keeping them calm, but you know that when you go down that last centre line you’ve got all that
By ANDREA OAKES
energy for the piaffe and passage.”
Fiona sees Fame as a prospect for the Europeans this year. Since she and her husband Anders Dahl viewed him to buy, just before lockdown last year, the Dutch warmblood stallion has been in training at their West Sussex base – making a brief appearance with Anders in September to win at inter II.
“He’s such a fun horse to ride; you ask him and he reacts immediately,” said Fiona of the 11-year-old Bordeaux son, who completed his early dressage education in Belgium, before moving to Christinelund Dressage in Sweden and competing briefly
“I love that hot personality in a horse; you’ve got all that energy”
FIONA BIGWOOD ON FAME XX
at international small tour with Sofie Lexner. “He’s also very easy to have around the place.”
Fiona’s 14-year-old daughter Mette made her debut with Sir Donato, Fiona’s former grand prix ride, scoring 67% in the inter II.
“Unfortunately, we learnt the wrong test, but Mette rode calmly and Donato is such a gentle horse that he is perfect as a schoolmaster for her,” said Fiona. “It was nice for us two to go on a girls’ trip, leaving the boys at home.”
Fiona now has three grand prix horses to campaign in 2021: Fame, Daytona Platinum, and the former top ride of Carl Hester’s, Hawtins Delicato, whom she debuted the following week, scoring 69.9%.
Emile Faurie’s team was out in force, with yard rider Tom Goode scoring two convincing wins.
“It was Margot’s first-ever outing, but she has the most fantastic temperament,” he said of Caroline Rake’s five-year-old Morricone mare, whose novice scores topped 72%.
“Sakira felt mega in her first inter I,” added Tom of
Nini Poh’s San Amour daughter, a winner with 71%. “She really is coming into her own at the level. She has always been quite bubbly and eager, so having more to do in the test helps her focus on the job.”