EMILY KING and Jackpot led from the first phase to end their season on a winning high with their third three-star victory of the year.
The pair headed in to tackle Beau Wood’s influential showjumping course in the Investec CCI3*-L on their dressage score of 25, having finished bang on the cross-country optimum time.
With Kitty King and Cristal Fontaine just 0.2 of a penalty behind, there was no breathing room. But Emily and the scopey nine-year-old didn’t need it – ending with a confident clear to seal the title in this battle of the Kings.
“I was aware I had no room for error,” said Emily, who was riding the Polly Schwerdt-produced gelding for owners Vicki and Stewart Irlam. “I thought, ‘Just trust him, I know he’s a good jumper and give him a bit of space in there.’
“I wanted to come on the inside lines so that I didn’t have to be too quick and to keep him back on his hocks. He was just fab.”
The undulating showjumping arena and autumnal going meant this final phase was far from a formality. Emily and Kitty produced two of just eight fault-free CCI3*-L showjumping rounds.
Camilla and Alex Wakeley’s Cristal Fontaine showed he is back in business after missing almost two seasons owing to “various little niggles”, with another three-star runner-up spot and a stamina-building stepping stone towards CCI4*-L next season.
“He made the cross-country feel like a piece of cake, which it should do as he’s an experienced horse, but he’s not had that many runs this year and you never know how well they will remember things,” said Kitty. “He hasn’t forgotten anything, which is wonderful.”
Denne historien er fra October 12, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra October 12, 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.
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'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
