Chard Equestrian CSI2*, Somerset
IN the first of a remarkable run of grands prix successes (see also report p70), Mikey Pender and scopey mare HHS Cornetta devoured the track for the CSI2* 1.45m big tour finale, neatly sewing up the class from first draw by setting an invincible standard.
Ben Townley's course produced nine clears but the jump-off quickly became a done deal, with the first two combinations retaining the top two places.
Mikey's lead on the big and powerful Cornet Obolensky x Acorado grey was almost matched by next in William Whitaker and 11-year-old Chacco's Lando, but he was half a second wide of the mark.
"Cornetta has a massive stride, no one else got from fence two to three on eight strides," said Mikey, who was in the UK targeting this show and Chepstow, having recently returned Global Champions Tour (GCT) appearances in both Miami and Mexico.
The nine-year-old mare won a 1.50m rankings class in Vejer de la Frontera last month and it's hoped she'll be ready to join the more experienced horses at some GCT dates later this year.
"She's very rideable and very smart and always wants to please she's a big help in a jump-off as she always wants to lock on to the jumps," Mikey said. "I think she's incredibly talented and we hope she'll be ready for some big grands prix in a few months." The €9,421 (£8,095) first prize was the second big win of the week for the 24-year-old Irishman, who also landed €1,544 (£1,330) for his victory in Saturday's medium tour with Cornetta's full brother HHS Cyprus.
Denne historien er fra May 02, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra May 02, 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.
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New technology aims to reduce equine inbreeding
The idea is to give owners of mares and stallions more information when choosing possible pairings
Half of owners cannot identify equine lameness
A study found many owners cannot tell when a horse is lame or sound
Calls for dental checks to be in routine sale vettings
Only a basic mouth check is currently part of the standard pre-purchase examination.
Ensuring everyone feels valued in the horse world
A new action plan and education collaboration are aimed at making the equestrian sector more inclusive
New frangible fence makes its British eventing debut
The trakehner, which is designed to collapse forwards and down under impact, will be in use at Osberton this week
Vet corporatisation: how it has changed the horse world
Vets from both types of practices discussed whether or not they and the industry have benefited
Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
Michael Eilberg
The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport
Schooling success
Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils
How to get a job in hunting
The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers
