IN a phenomenal year of sporting achievements, young Brit Yasmin Ingham added her name to that exclusive list of winners with a flawless performance aboard Paris 2024 prospect Banzai Du Loir.
“I knew we were both capable of doing it. But to pull it all together in all three phases, luck has to come into the equation – and luck was on my side,” said eventing’s newest heroine, who won on her leading dressage score of 25.2.
The 24-year-old is being modest. Luck will always have its place in horse sport, yet this result came down to skill and an ability to perform under pressure.
The pair led the world-class field from Thursday lunchtime to the final showjump on Sunday afternoon. And while Yasmin freely admitted that she did feel the weight of that expectation and what she had to lose, she seemed to take strength from it.
The Nouma D’Auzay gelding clocked the fastest time across country, coming home 17 seconds inside the optimum, to secure the lead going into the final phase.
As they cantered into the showjumping arena, last to go, the combination had four seconds in hand – no more. A single-pole separated first to 10th ahead of the final day and Di Boddy’s course was taking no prisoners. There had been just five fault-free rounds from 49 in the morning.
The packed stands were silent; the only noise was the snap of camera shutters, the clinking of the flagpole rigging and the rhythm of Banzai’s footfalls. As they landed over the final orange oxer, the crowd erupted and Yasmin pointed to her horse, channelling the praise towards her equine hero.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 23, 2021 من Horse & Hound.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 23, 2021 من Horse & Hound.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits
'Monaco deserved this victory
Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix
'It had to end sometime'
The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports
'You couldn't want for more
The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"
The greatest gift of all
Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options
Winter him well
A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season
Neat feet
Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead
In bygone days
Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life