AIMEE PAXTON secured her chance of defending the Royal Highland title she has claimed for the past two years when she qualified two rides for the 148cm championship, winning with Eyre Diva Dior and collecting third with reigning champion Las Vegas VI.
Having jumped two of four first-round clears, the odds were already in her favour going into the second round. She dominated from the off, producing a speedy pathfinding clear on the 11-year-old mare.
Aimee topped her own time with the grey stallion “Asbo” but lowered a pole for third. Just one other rider, Gabriel Colhoun (Delflip), went clear to finish runner-up, 6.29sec behind Aimee’s winning round.
“Because ‘Darcy’ was first to go in the jump-off, I wasn’t sure what I needed to do – I just rode the round she could do and tried a couple of turns, and she answered all the questions. I then tried a little bit too hard with Asbo!” said Aimee.
Aimee added Darcy to her string last August and she is jumping consistently at 1.20m.
Denne historien er fra April 04, 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 April 04, 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