ON the dashboard of Mollie Summerland’s lorry is a stuffed unicorn. This kitsch fantasy toy is somehow symbolic of her fairy-tale summer. Mollie bought “Sprinkles” on her tortuous trip to Luhmühlen, conquering the challenges of Covid, quarantine, Brexit, not to mention the second CCI5* of her life. As in all good fairy stories, there was a happy ending – she steered Charly Van Ter Heiden to victory; the youngest-ever winner at just 23.
“We bought Sprinkles on the ferry, and he was destined for the bonfire if it didn’t go well,” laughs Mollie. “Now he will be with me for life.”
As you walk into the Wiltshire farm where Mollie is based with a handful of other riders, the utopian impression continues. Set against a backdrop of the North Wessex Downs, smart horses are grazing in grassy fields, a clutch of floppy Andrex puppies paw for attention and Mollie’s three Chihuahuas yap delightedly. Mollie is bathing two striking horses – her superstar Charly (Chazzle) and the taller but very similar-looking Flow 7, a new ride owned by Paula and Adrian Cloke.
“I do have a type – maybe dark with four white socks,” she admits. “And I like them to be pretty.”
The yard radio is blaring out The Proclaimers’ I would walk 500 miles, which seems apt given Mollie’s Luhmühlen odyssey. After Germany mandated all arrivals from the UK to quarantine for 14 days, Mollie enlisted the help of journalist Tilly Berendt and together the pair navigated the convoluted logistics to arrive at Luhmühlen via a spell with Dutch eventer Tim Lips. After all the stress of the two-week journey, any result was a bonus.
Denne historien er fra July 22, 2021-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra July 22, 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.
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
