CUMBRIAN rider Olivia Gilmour and her father Russell’s Emperors Diamond Dancer (Coops) made a triumphant trip across the Pennines to head the Royal International (RIHS) intermediate working hunter pony qualifier and stand section champion.
This was a dazzling achievement, given that it was the pair’s first time out since Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) 2021 in 153cm ranks, and their first-ever attempt at an intermediate track, too.
“We only entered to see how Coops would cope with the bigger course, so it was a totally unexpected result,” said Olivia, 22, who runs a small teaching/ coaching yard alongside a dog grooming business. “But he loved being back in the ring and I really enjoyed jumping the track; it had a great range of different fences and lines, which were testing for both horse and rider.”
The family bought Coops, now 13, as a newly backed four-year-old, and embarked on a massive learning curve.
Denne historien er fra March 30, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra March 30, 2023-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
