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.
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 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
'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
