A THRILLING 22-horse jump-off for the Al Shira’aa CSI*YH seven-year-old final was another that fell to Irish conquest, when Sean Monaghan snatched victory in the final throes with the “unbelievable” Tiberio Della Caccia.
“I’m hoping he gets to stay with me – he is a horse who could be very helpful for my career,” said 24-year-old Sean, who overthrew the lightning lead of Glain Watkin Jones and Heroine Pasquier in a tight contest.
“He’s got a different level of stride to any other horse I’ve ever ridden. He’s so talented, you can gallop him up to the jump and he’ll always clear it. It was a massive advantage the way the jump-off was built for me with long runs.
“I took one less stride than everyone from fence one to two and I stayed galloping.”
Sean, who is based just 20 minutes from the port in Dublin, bought the Otangelo x Cannavaros gelding from Bertram and Harry Allen as a three-year-old.
“The lads told me to come and look at a few horses – we bought three that day, because we had to buy a few more to buy him as part of the deal! He was very special jumping loose and he wasn’t really for sale, so we got lucky,” he said.
“He’s got an incredible temperament. He is so laidback. He was on his own in the van coming over here and he laid down on the boat and went to sleep!”
The horse has been quietly produced until this year, when he has picked up pace.
“He won a lot of classes on the Sunshine Tour. He likes bigger arenas as he finds technical courses harder with his big stride, so we need to practise in smaller arenas,” Sean added.
“This year we’ll educate him, put him away for the winter and then try to do good things next year.”
RIDER FIVE TIMES THE BRIDESMAID
Denne historien er fra June 20, 2024-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 June 20, 2024-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
