GEORGE CHATTERTON proved a perfect understudy in claiming the 2021 Melton Hunt Club Ride crown after receiving an 11th-hour call-up.
“This means the world to all of us, but my brother should be doing it,” said amateur jockey George, who piloted the evergreen 15-year-old former racehorse Distime to victory for the Belvoir.
“[My brother] Billy’s been mapped out for it for the last three months, but he’s unfortunately injured his ankle, so I got the call to ride this week. I was more nervous last night about this than I probably have been for anything riding-related for a while.”
He added those nerves stemmed in part from the “real pressure” he put on himself of not wanting to let his brother down.
“When I crossed the line, the first person I wanted to see was Billy because this is his thing. So hopefully he’ll be doing it and winning next year,” said George, taking home further prizes for highest-placed under-25, thoroughbred and retrained racehorse.
Distime was bought as a schoolmaster for George’s first season point-to-pointing in 2018/19 and retired in 2020 following a solid career of 44 starts under Rules and between the flags.
“He is an absolute legend,” said George. “He hunts, does a bit of team chasing and this was his big day as well. He’s like a family pet.”
The pair tracked the eminent partnership of Rowan Cope and Arthur for the majority of the race, following them across the more direct lower route on the hilly course, before seizing their chance.
Denne historien er fra November 25, 2021-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra November 25, 2021-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.
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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
