LOCKDOWN has its upsides. For Ros Canter, the reigning world eventing champion, it’s been an unexpected training boost under sunny skies. Living on the north Lincolnshire coast, where the wind whips icy blasts straight from Siberia, Ros is used to cramming the horses’ “homework” into the short, perishingly cold days of winter.
“Our arena is lovely but very exposed, so it’s been really nice to have the time to train the horses without the pressure of competitions while the weather is good,” Ros says.
“I actually felt lucky at the start of lockdown because all my horses had run at the start of the season – Oasby and Lincoln are quite local so I took my whole string there, and the next weekend everything shut down.”
Ros was quick out of the blocks this spring, ready for her first full season after having her first child, Ziggy, last July. Before lockdown, she had competed 21 times on 11 rides, winning four classes, topped by an advanced intermediate win on her world champion Allstar B. Last weekend’s resumption at Aske yielded a further two top-five placings from her two rides.
“So I know where every horse is in terms of performance,” she says. “Sometimes it’s nice to be able to take a step back and not have the pressure of competing. I love winning but I also love training horses and I’m still so motivated to do that.”
Ros’ philosophical take on the carnage the pandemic has wreaked not only on the national circuit, but also a likely Olympic debut on Allstar B (Alby), says much about her sporting psyche. She is sanguine about Tokyo’s postponement.
Denne historien er fra July 16, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra July 16, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'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
