Lionel shows his flair

The HOYS talent seekers champions are on a roll, and young horse classes showcase promising victors

- PENNY RICHARDSON

AT only their second show since a winter break, reigning Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) talent seekers champions Tim Davies and Lionel Van De Markieslanden captured the grand prix with the sole double clear.

David Cole’s course caused some trepidation, with a double of water trays the main talking point, but five top combinations reached the jump-off.

From second draw, Tim and Lionel made the shortened course look easy and with the pressure on, no one could equal them. There was a rare tie for second place when Morgan Shirley on Liz Howes’ home-bred Glory B V and Phillip Miller with Shirley Light’s stallion Noble Warrior finished on exactly the same time after one mistake apiece.

This was the first grand prix win for Barrett Watson’s nine-year-old gelding, who makes things difficult for himself through bucking and leaping on the way to fences.

“We only managed to buy him because he’s tricky but he knows where the poles are and he wants to jump,” said Tim. “I’m the only person who ever rides him and we now have a great understanding.

I just ignore what he’s doing and go with it.”

This victory also justified Tim’s decision to be among three who shared the honors in the previous day’s 1.40m open. Tim, Isaac Hall (Conrad IV) and Tracy Newman (Challenge) chose not to jump off and save their horses for another day.

Thursday’s winter 1.35m qualifier featured a stunning winning round from Olivia Poole on Quality, whose stride less to the final fence put them just ahead of Ben Walker and Fygo Von D’Ouwe Grint.

“She hadn’t done many big classes until I took her to Spain in October and since then she seems to have come into her own,” said Shropshire-based Olivia, 21, who has produced this 10-year-old Quirado mare.