SOME strong combinations battled for the remaining spots for the Events Through a Lens talent seeker inc seven-year-old championship but none could match Nicole Pavitt and Cornet Of Follyfoot, who were back at the top of their game.
“Normally he’s the most consistent horse but recently he’s had a patch of four faultitis,” said Nicole, who has also qualified the seven-year-old for this year’s newcomers and Foxhunter finals, all on the winning ticket. “Today he really felt back to himself.”
Nicole was second to go of 16 through to the jump-off, and followed a very fast opening bid by Chloe Winchester and Korlenski, who were the quickest of the class but tipped the penultimate fence.
Lauren Caroline and Be Cuick One, also a sevenyear-old, and Max Routledge (Ascadina PPZ) were 0.20sec apart in second and third, more than a second off Nicole’s lead.
“Because he is careful and has a big stride, you can go one fewer in places where other people can’t, that has always been my advantage with him,” said Nicole.
Each qualifier has four tickets for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), one of which must go to the highest-placed seven-year-old, which can make bids strategic.
“We’ve tried to qualify for the talent seekers this year twice before — at Chard we had the fastest time by several seconds but had the last fence down. There were 30 in the jump-off and the highestplaced seven-year-old was fifth or sixth, so I could have been five or six seconds slower and still qualified,” Nicole said.
“What was nice about Coombelands was that they put all the seven-year-olds first in the draw, so you knew what you had to do.”
Sally Jobson-Scott’s gelding won the newcomers final at HOYS last year with Nicole’s sister Louise, as Nicole had broken her collarbone. This year Nicole has the Foxhunter final, a title she has never taken, as a particular target with him.
This story is from the August 29, 2024 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 29, 2024 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits
'Monaco deserved this victory
Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix
'It had to end sometime'
The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports
'You couldn't want for more
The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"
The greatest gift of all
Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options
Winter him well
A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season
Neat feet
Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead
In bygone days
Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life
