Cotswold, Glos
THE second half of the autumn team chase season took a hit from Storm Babet the Grafton was in the eye of the storm, and then the Essex and Suffolk was ruled out by flooding.
Just the Cotswold stood firm, the old turf at Andoversford sucking up further onslaughts from the elements over the weekend of what has become a two-day event. Innovative mini classes use scaled-down versions of the trademark walls and hedges on the Saturday, before the big guns compete over the full track on the Sunday.
With the traditional season's climax at the Essex and Suffolk cancelled, the Cotswold also hosted the final round and presentation of the team chasing leagues.
Team Ride Away II have been locked in a pitched battle with Fox Grant Dot Com all season and the Cotswold's undulating and varied open track produced a mouthwatering clash for the sizeable crowd that the event attracts.
DEVASTATING SPEED
IN the end, it was the Rideaway squad's horse selection, which combines experienced, confident campaigners and talented newcomers, that won the day. Charlotte Alexander headed them up on what might be the ultimate lead horse, Saphir Du Rheu the former Paul Nicholls-trained chaser also events and matches his speed with nimbleness.
Bu hikaye Horse & Hound dergisinin November 09, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Horse & Hound dergisinin November 09, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
'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