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.
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Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
Michael Eilberg
The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport
Schooling success
Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils
How to get a job in hunting
The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers
Burke's Affair to remember
A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events
Hamlett takes centre stage
Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions
