Brennan ‘enjoys every moment’
Wellington M proves he’s still got it at 19 as he heads the grand prix with Kerry Brennan, while Ben Walker is on a winning streak
AW Jenkinson Elite Show, incorporating Jump North IV, Aintree International EC, Merseyside
KERRY BRENNAN and the evergreen Wellington M blitzed to victory in the AW Jenkinson Elite Show grand prix, demonstrating the 19-year-old gelding is still as keen and fresh as ever.
“I take each show as it comes with him now and enjoy every moment, as I never know when it’s going to end,” said Kerry.
“I did drop him down a level over the past few months, and he’s been doing 1.30m, but it got to the point where he felt he was ready for a big class again. Obviously that’s what he wanted as he went and won it!”
Raf Suarez’s first-round track had produced just four clears, with Kerry topping the jump-off line-up over Graham Babes and Glencoe, while Ben Walker (Klent Kick On) and Robert Murphy (Imbeer) collected equal third.
“I was expecting more clears, so obviously it was tougher than I thought,” Kerry said. “It was a nice jump-off, a couple of people were on younger horses and aiming for a clear round, so I just went in and hoped he kept his feet up without going too quickly.”
Ben Walker had a typically consistent show, claiming victory in Saturday’s mini grand prix with Heidiemorka and winning Thursday’s 1.35m open with his prolifically successful speed partner Fygo Van D’Ouwe Grint, both co-owned by Pennie Cornish and Emma Ziff.
Ten-year-old Heidiemorka is currently number one in the children-on-horses rankings, where she is campaigned by Pennie’s youngest daughter Chloe Mae Morris.
“I’ve let her have the ride and I borrow her back occasionally when I need her as she’s such a winner, although the main aim for her this year is the children-on-horses teams,” said Ben. “She’s quite a sharp horse for me but when the girls get on her she’s really quiet, I think she’s relieved to have a small person on her!”
With 18 forward, the small grand prix was a tough jump-off, with Ben finding the edge with the mare’s speed and rideability.
“The rider in the lead took a stride out to the last, going on six, and I knew I didn’t have the stride for that, so I stuck to my plan and went on seven, as I knew she could make the time up elsewhere,” he said.
JAKARTA EARNS HER TICKET
THE schedule featured three Blue Chip qualifiers, with the Joint RLF power going to reunited combination John Crippen and Jakarta IV. The pair claimed an emphatic victory more than four seconds clear of Ryan Lockwood and For Gold I.
John sold the eight-yearold mare last autumn but unexpectedly has her back in to sell again.
“They jumped a couple of shows with her but decided she wasn’t for them,” John said. “I love
her and if I didn’t have to sell her I’d like to keep her as she’s a really fun ride.
“We usually go to the Blue Chips so if we still have her she’ll definitely be going – I would be hopeful she could win that final as she’s more than good enough.”
John, whose yard made the trip up from Buckinghamshire with nine horses, also finished second in the Blue Chip Karma qualifier with Bennys Kelly, a promising six-year-old who he took to Lanaken last year.
“I really liked him and was able to get an owner, Tim Peake, to buy him for me,” John said.
The Karma was headed by James Smith and the sevenyear-old grey mare Pixie Van De Bucxtale, while Rachael Connor collected third with Juvenosa.
Rachael returned to competition at the end of last year, having had a year-and-a-half away from the ring, and has hit the ground running with some strong form, also heading the Blue Chip Dynamic B&C qualifier here with Isabeau SSB.
“She’s only about 16hh but is a little horse with a massive heart,” said Rachael, who has produced the eight-year-old mare since she was three. “We’ve been jumping some 1.20m with her and stepped her up to her first 1.30m on Friday, where she finished third – I like to keep the height lowish to keep their confidence up, especially as she’s so scopey and careful.
“She’s got what it takes to go further and I’ll be looking to step her up to winter B&Cs at the premiers next,” she added.
Another indefatigable veteran, the 19-year-old Wet Wet Wet, collected a win for Annabel
Shields in Friday’s AW Jenkinson Natural Flake 1.40m open.
In a battle of the speed horses, they beat Kerry and Wellington M to the win, with
Ben and Fygo Van D’Ouwe Grint following up in third.
Friday’s national 1.30m open was dominated by Paul Barker, who secured a one-two with Chabadu and Cludo IV.