‘He’s like a pony to ride’
Helen Rees hits winning form on home soil, while the British team finishes second in the first of a new Nations Cup series
Chard Equestrian, Somerset
HELEN REES was left with just the one horse still running by the third day of this show, but her ever-competitive Bart VI carried the flag when he won two 1.30m/1.40m opens and was second in the third by just 0.02sec.
The 15-year-old gelding was campaigned by other riders but returned to Helen two years ago, where he has continued to be a successful ride in 1.30m classes.
“When I first got him back, 1.30m looked very big to me so I started at 1.20m, but now
1.30m looks very doable,” said Helen, who bought Bart as a seven-year-old.
“He’s such a buzzy little person, he’s like a pony to ride, and he still seems to really enjoy it. He’s been jumping fantastically.”
Helen also picked up a 1.10m win on Saturday with her 19-yearold Maximo Des Forets, but on the Sunday morning he stood on a stone on his way down to the arena and went lame. Her other ride Bianca Du Rouet is also out of action after getting her hindlegs caught on fencing in the field.
“We’re lucky that it just seems to be superficial so hopefully she’ll be back out in a few weeks,” Helen said. “I’m very lucky to have three little winners to compete.”
The SEIB winter novice was won by Ollie Tuff and his sevenyear-old Dalton Z, with Chloe Reynolds picking up second and third (Uptons Tribon and Jappeloup II).
The silver league qualifier went to Gemma Hallet and Billy Jive, while the bronze league was won by Mollie Smith and her very consistent seven-year-old Church Park Elite.
Mollie bought the 15.3hh mare by Zig Zag just after the first lockdown and despite limited outings, they came second in the British novice final at the end of last season, having also finished second in the British novice second round and won the discovery second round.
“She’s very consistent,” Mollie said. “I’ve always wanted a horse like her – she’s a little pocket rocket with a heart of gold. She’s amazing, so quick and careful and I’m really looking forward to stepping her up the levels.”