Melton Hunt Club Ride, sponsored by The George Bar, Parlour & Dining Room, and Belvoir Foxhunter Ride, sponsored by Belvoir Equine Veterinary and Dental Services, Highfield Farm, Leics
HUNT ride first-timers Immy Robinson and The Dellercheckout landed the Melton in style, sealing victory in a close-fought battle for the line on their stunning debut.
Their strong relationship has been forged on the point- to-point and hunter chase circuits over the past four seasons, but this was a totally new challenge for the pair.
"This is the first time I'd even considered doing this," said Shropshire-based Immy, a leading amateur jockey who works full-time in the charity sector. "I walked the course with my eyes closed, but he just took to it like a duck to water. He is my favourite horse in the world."
The 10-year-old Getaway son is a former Paul Nicholls chaser, who joined the Robinsons in 2019. Trained by Immy's mother Caroline, the first woman to ride a winner at the Cheltenham Festival, the gelding won five times for the family before retiring in May this year. His heart was no longer in racing and palate issues meant that his body, too, could do with a change.
After a couple of successful team chases, friends convinced Immy that she should have a crack at the Melton.
"There was one hairy moment - I've been race-riding for 17 years and it was the best sit of my life. I'm not sure what happened, but I was hanging out the side-door thinking, 'Oh God, I'm a goner' and I managed to cling on," she said.
Esta historia es de la edición November 23, 2023 de Horse & Hound.
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Esta historia es de la edición November 23, 2023 de Horse & Hound.
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'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
