‘He showed his maturity’
Parwood EC Area Festival, Surrey
INTER I bronze winner Graf
Hit VH Bloemenhof impressed his owner/rider Amy Jack with a workmanlike winning test, on his second attempt at the level.
“He really showed his maturity,” said Amy of “Harvey”, a rising 10-year-old Samba
Hit II son, who scored 70.6%.
“Everything comes up thick and fast at inter I, but we had just two blips and the canterwork was especially good.”
Amy, who is 24 weeks into her pregnancy, added: “Harvey has had an easier time in the last few months and I’ve just picked him up in the school once or twice a week to focus on his suppleness and engagement. He is so much stronger now and we’re working on the control of the movements, rather than the skill.
“I’m taking each day as it comes and was just delighted to be riding,” she said. “I’m not sure whether I’ll make the nationals – that’s a big ask!”
The pair’s trainer, Amy Stovold, who will keep Harvey ticking over in the months ahead, said: “I always knew they were capable of a test like that. I’m proud of them.”
Holly Fegan took home her first-ever sash by heading the medium silver with Bolero’s Dream. While the 10-yearold Benetton Dream gelding
can switch on the power, she explained, he spends much of his time in “battery-saver mode”.
“When I bought him a few years back, I was probably overhorsed,” she said, explaining that Charlie Hutton competed “Benny” for her until 2019.
“We spent some time at Nicola McGivern’s yard and we’re now training with Ian Cast.
“After my 15.3hh horse, Benny felt like a Ferrari,” she added. “He’s still powerful, but he’s the kindest, sweetest horse and very laid-back. “He’s quite clever though and has been piaffing for years, but I’m an accountant and this is my hobby. I’m still catching up!”
“I always knew they were capable of a test like that. I’m proud of them” AMY STOVOLD ON PUPIL AMY JACK AND GRAF HIT VH BLOEMENHOF