'He's a dream'

Carl Hester and Fame add another grand prix win to their record, while one rider claims four wins

CARL HESTER and Fame are what you could call a match made in heaven – or Hartpury. It was here that they made their debut as a partnership together, in January this year, and they returned this week to claim the Premier League grand prix in fine style.

Carl has made no secret of the fact that he’s head over heels about this horse, and with every ride – and every win – his love for Fiona Bigwood’s 13-year-old Bordeaux stallion grows.

“He’s talented but with a talented brain as well and when you put those together it’s so lovely to ride,” said Carl, who scored 77.39%. “When I have him relaxed like that he’s a dream to ride.

“He got a bit spicy on the last centre line – he’s starting to know the test now and knew it was the last line. But he walked, he felt happy and he worked really well. It was definitely one of my nicer rides.”

DAVY’S DIAMOND

HARTPURY is fast becoming a happy hunting ground for Davy Harvey. He scored a hat-trick here at the Winter Dressage Championships in April, and collected another four wins on this trip.

Judy Peploe’s Don Frederic son Diamond Blue scored a prix st georges (PSG) double, improving on his first winning score of 72.55% to earn 74.8% in the second.

Davy describes the 10-year-old gelding as a little like a mouse, and injecting an extra dose of power was key to elevating their performance.

“He does have a lot of power but I feel we can err on the side of caution. I tried to have him bolder and more in front of me and he was happy to do so. But he always has to feel as though we are doing this together.”