SOPHIE WELLS showcased a familiar hero and a superstar in the making at Hartpury. The seven-year-old St Schufro mare LJT Egebjerggards Samoa twice finished second to Paralympic gold medallist Don Cara M, before coming through to win the freestyle.
“Diana” has been with Sophie for two-and-a-half years, but this is her first full international season.
“We’re taking it a show at a time to see how we get on. She has done young horse classes, but she’d either be mega and get 80% or come last,” laughed Sophie. “But she has such a good mentality.”
Sophie chose to ride Diana in the freestyle over “Donnie”, to give the young mare some extra exposure. And although she was distracted at times, her quality shone through and Sophie completed a grade V hat-trick with 74.84%.
“I think she’ll be a team horse and a future grand prix horse too – she already has everything apart from the changes. I just have to ride her really well and do her justice.”
Denne historien er fra July 13, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra July 13, 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
