THE 2023 NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships well and truly belonged to Dannie Morgan and his partner Davy Harvey, who between them racked up seven titles from novice to inter I.
It was Dannie who stamped his name on four of this year’s winter accolades, beginning his blistering run with victory in both the Prestige novice and Baileys Horse Feeds novice freestyle riding his own hugely exciting five-year-old Fever Tree, a Foundation x Dayano son whom he says is “the best horse I’ve ever sat on”.
“He was bred by a friend of mine, and he is my dream horse – I love everything about him,” said Dannie, who scored 78.7% with “Gordon” in the freestyle and a whopping 80.49% in the straight class.
“From the day he was born I thought, ‘Oh my god, I need that horse’, and then I backed him at three and just had to have him, so I bought him. I still have to pinch myself – it’s not every day you find a horse like this and I feel very lucky. He’s the best horse I’ve ever sat on, and I think he has the potential to be a top horse.”
Dannie also doubled up at elementary, winning both the PDS Saddles elementary freestyle and the Equi-Trek straight class riding Kristina Rausing’s six-year-old Vive La Reinne VH (Delilah).
“Delilah is a beautiful mare. I’ve had her since she was rising three – I backed her myself and I’ve done everything with her,” he said.
Esta historia es de la edición April 27, 2023 de Horse & Hound.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 27, 2023 de Horse & Hound.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
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