A one-eyed win
“HE’S basically had a headache for three years,” said Dan Greenwood of Chevalier-O, who scored a 74% winning grand prix just five weeks after the removal of his left eye.
First “Larry” needed a fractured tooth removed and then suffered with the eye condition uveitis.
“We managed the uveitis last season with an implant, but it continued to flare up. His eye degenerated to an extent that removal was the only option for his health, not just performance.
“My main concern about his return to competition was the warm-up, as horses pass left to left,” Dan added. “He was slightly apprehensive at first but soon settled and in the test he felt soft and easy.
“He’s such a genuine horse,” added Dan of “Larry”, Juliet Leighton’s Lord Leatherdale son, who scored a personal best at the level. “We’re relieved that he seems comfortable and happy, so we’ll crack on now.”
Harvey White, who rides for Dan, twice scored in the plus-70% zone at prelim with the team’s home-bred youngster Fiver II, while Max Campbell headed the novice 38 with Kingstone-W.
“We like bringing on both the horses and the young riders and seeing them develop,” said Dan.
Jade Ellery excelled in the medium 61 with Evo San Motus. Riding the eight-year-old gelding at his first-ever affiliated show, Jade explained: “I bought him at five but he’s big and we’ve taken time. He’s my horse of the future and I’m mindful of his size.
“He’s a real dude,” added Jade, who took him to the Netherlands last year to train and has now based him with Henriette Andersen. “I had no expectations so I kept it cool, calm and collected, but now I’m excited to push him a bit more.”