Wise beyond his years

A young intermediate with star quality lands the top accolade, standing over one of last term’s most promising hunters

- TRICIA JOHNSON

UK National Championships, Arena UK, Lincs

A SERIES of sparkling, foot perfect performances at the very end of this new and groundbreaking show brought supreme success for locally based producer Lucy Glover with Charlotte Read’s new intermediate hunter Carnsdale Wise Guy.

The show, the brainchild of Scott Dixon, drew the great and the good from across the country and although the weather gods frowned on the grand finale, delivering a torrential downpour accompanied by thunder and lightning, an exceptionally high class field of 16 – comprising both ponies and horses – competed for £500 and the magnificent Rory Gilsenan memorial trophy.

After an initial go-round in small groups, each champion performed an individual show, with three judges marking skating-style. Only two sets of marks were publicly displayed, though, while the third judge’s scores were relayed directly to the commentator. This proved a popular tactic as the totals remained a mystery until the final combination had completed.

Then, tension built as it emerged that four pairs had achieved equal marks and it was decided that Rory Gilsenan’s widow and daughter, Vanessa and Katie Gilsenan, would make the final decision. After a further go round – including another gallop – and conformation assessment of the quartet, the champion and reserve were called forward.

Guy, a striking six-year-old, had caught the eye from the moment he entered the ring at a powerful, swinging walk, and his smooth, soft, unhurried paces and seamless, balanced transitions could barely be faulted.