TWO exciting young para horses topped the Dodson & Horrell novice silver, a class in which the top three riders all qualified on wildcards. Paralympic gold medallist Natasha Baker held the lead for a long time with her new horse, Keystone Dawn Chorus, but last-to-go Louise Robson rode Remi II, the 10-year-old she co-owns with para rider Amanda Shirtcliffe, to snatch victory on 73.03%.
A year ago Remi, known at home as Kevin, came to Stoneleigh with another rider for the Trailblazers championships and “decimated the white boards and everyone around him,” said Louise, who was competing at her first national championships.
“Amanda and I were really apprehensive about bringing him here, for the paras especially. He wasn’t the most straightforward when we first got him in November 2017, so we’re just teaching him through able-bodied dressage to make him a better para horse. He can be lazy but riding him with force is not the way forward. His heart is ruled by his stomach so once we learnt that, we could tell him he was a good boy by giving him treats and this positive reinforcement has been the way forward with him.”
The Desert Moon gelding also competed in the grade III para championship that morning with Amanda, finishing third.
“After that test Amanda assured me he would be fine and he went in the arena again bold and happy,” added Louise, who retrains racehorses for a living, and started her day at 3am so she could ride at home before travelling to Stoneleigh.
“Kevin is adorable and still has so much to give — this is just the beginning. His walk is a highlight, his trot is expressive and now he’s learning to go on his own and carry himself with less leg.”
Denne historien er fra September 19, 2019-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra September 19, 2019-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
Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits
'Monaco deserved this victory
Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix
'It had to end sometime'
The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports
'You couldn't want for more
The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"
The greatest gift of all
Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options
Winter him well
A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season
Neat feet
Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead
In bygone days
Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life
