‘Ladies' man' wows the judges

A Scottish young rider aces the under-25 grand prix and inter II, while Charlotte Dujardin claims the grand prix after a last-minute entry at the venue’s first-ever Premier League

- HELEN SCOTT

ROBYN SMITH and her elegant black stallion Francesco 77 (Frank) concluded an intense four weeks of competition with a brace of wins.

They headed a competitive inter II on the first day and then, hoping to improve on their third placing in the under-25 grand prix at Somerford Park’s Premier League, secured the win here, 3% ahead of the second-placed Natasha Rumble and Show Boy.

Frank, a 13-year-old son of Florencio I, produced an attractive test, showing real flair in the changes and canter work, with just some green moments in piaffe and the passage transitions.

“Every step he was listening to what I wanted, and he really tried. We have so much to work on but it was a great start,” said Robyn.

The pair managed only one show during lockdown, so decided to park their small tour work and aim high in their training.

“Lockdown gave us that opportunity to train without the distraction of competing, but then you need to see where you are at. When lockdown lifted, we did one show in Scotland to prepare, headed to Somerford and then here,” said Robyn.

“He’s a real ladies’ stallion, a cuddly, pampered, pretty boy. I bought him as a six-year-old in Germany and we’ve learnt everything together. I train with my mother, Gail, and Paul Hayler when I can.”

Charlotte Dujardin won the grand prix after a last-minute entry on Gio. She is on a mission to polish the 10-year-old Apache son’s work as much as she can before he goes into quarantine as the direct reserve for Mount St John Freestyle, her nominated entry for the Tokyo Olympics.