DANI EVANS kicked off her campaign in style on the opening day of the restarted eventing season at Tweseldown. The Somerset rider led throughout to take intermediate section F on C Born Fresh Z (Frankie) and landed the runner-up spot in intermediate section E on Hollywood Dancer (Holly).
“They are two very straightforward horses – it makes my life easier as you’re only as good as what you’re sat on and they help me,” she said.
Heather and Kirk Ehrlich bought Frankie as a young horse for their daughter Taylor, who competed him until she went to university and handed the reins to Dani in the middle of 2018.
“He went from novice to advanced quickly and I think he’s a very good horse,” said Dani of the 10-year-old.
Ann Butler’s Holly has been with Dani from a four-year-old and already has eight wins to her name, including being a British five-year-old champion in 2017. Her long-term aim is the Blenheim eight- and nine-year-old class next year, with a possible tilt at the equivalent at Burnham Market this September.
“It will depend on how confident she feels,” said Dani. “She’s a very special horse and one for the future so I’m not going to chase her to get there.”
Dani’s cross-country rounds over Eric Winter’s track were sped up by taking the faster route inside the tree to the log roll spread at fence seven.
“My eye was naturally drawn to that line and it’s a credit to Eric for being clever with his designing and giving us the option,” said Dani. “It’s good practice to turn the horses on tighter lines, prepping them to step up a level, and to get near the time by being clever rather than going like a bat out of hell.”
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
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
