AT the end of a very busy and fruitful four days, Derek Morton put the icing on his cake when he produced the winning time of 42.47sec in the winter classic grand prix.
Second-drawn in the seven-strong jump-off and riding Science Supplements KBS High Quality (Liam), Derek took every short cut at speed to stay ahead of Donny Janciauskas and Cool Quarz, who finished in 44.80sec.
“We needed to be fast and the course didn’t give anything away, but Liam is a big horse with a massive stride and a huge engine,” said Derek.
Course-designer Gillian Milner earned great praise for her courses over the weekend and her grand prix track brought the curtain down on a hugely successful show.
With airy verticals, roll-backs, three doubles and a square final oxer, the first-round course posed questions throughout for the 40 starters. But the seven hopefuls fighting it out for top honours had produced classic first-round clears and all had their sights set on the £1,000 winner’s purse.
After Ian Fives opened with eventual seventh-placed Horinde, Derek set a blistering pace and Liam matched his rider’s determination all the way.
“Liam is a very brave horse and I do have difficulty controlling his energy as he’s sometimes too brave, but he covers so much ground and can jump and turn with ease,” said Derek, who pulled off a series of tight turnbacks.
Owner Zoe Snedker originally bought her OBOS Quality nine-year-old for working hunter classes, but once Derek recognized his potential over coloured fences, Liam was quickly switched.
After contesting the 2018 Foxhunter and 2019 winter B&C finals, under Derek’s guidance, Liam has continued to step up with ease and he came here showing good grand prix form after finishing third at Aintree.
Denne historien er fra February 27, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra February 27, 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
