SOME strong combinations battled for the remaining spots for the Events Through a Lens talent seeker inc seven-year-old championship but none could match Nicole Pavitt and Cornet Of Follyfoot, who were back at the top of their game.
“Normally he’s the most consistent horse but recently he’s had a patch of four faultitis,” said Nicole, who has also qualified the seven-year-old for this year’s newcomers and Foxhunter finals, all on the winning ticket. “Today he really felt back to himself.”
Nicole was second to go of 16 through to the jump-off, and followed a very fast opening bid by Chloe Winchester and Korlenski, who were the quickest of the class but tipped the penultimate fence.
Lauren Caroline and Be Cuick One, also a sevenyear-old, and Max Routledge (Ascadina PPZ) were 0.20sec apart in second and third, more than a second off Nicole’s lead.
“Because he is careful and has a big stride, you can go one fewer in places where other people can’t, that has always been my advantage with him,” said Nicole.
Each qualifier has four tickets for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), one of which must go to the highest-placed seven-year-old, which can make bids strategic.
“We’ve tried to qualify for the talent seekers this year twice before — at Chard we had the fastest time by several seconds but had the last fence down. There were 30 in the jump-off and the highestplaced seven-year-old was fifth or sixth, so I could have been five or six seconds slower and still qualified,” Nicole said.
“What was nice about Coombelands was that they put all the seven-year-olds first in the draw, so you knew what you had to do.”
Sally Jobson-Scott’s gelding won the newcomers final at HOYS last year with Nicole’s sister Louise, as Nicole had broken her collarbone. This year Nicole has the Foxhunter final, a title she has never taken, as a particular target with him.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Better judges' cover a must to protect the sport's future
A group insurance option has been found to protect the officials showing needs but only if enough sign up
IVF with frozen sperm is a 'milestone' in equine breeding
The first successful use of frozen semen in the technique has been recorded in an American study
Challenging ourselves to be and do better for our horses
The 2024 FEI general assembly heard how we should all challenge ourselves to give horses the best lives possible
Scottish jockeys to benefit from fund's top services
A new centre in Galashiels has been built thanks to a legacy donation
How horse simulators could help encourage people into riding
It is hoped the new model will help break down barriers to the sector for a wide range of people
Many horses' needs aren't met: study finds chance to improve
Researchers say all must ensure horses have space, friends, forage and good experiences
Humble pie
How many ladies does it take to cook a shepherd's pie? It’s a complicated one, says Tessa Waugh, on a quest to find appropriate ovens for the impending hunt auction dinner
I love an underdog
The arrival of the winter mud brings with it a Venetia Williams hat-trick, but the day belongs to a warrior gelding, who never stops trying”
Jumping Jack cracks it
A scopey grey is learning to be quick” anda broodmare makes up for lost time
A star is born
A nine-year-old mare helps put Luxembourg on the map and we celebrate a remarkable grey’s comeback
