South View Winter Classic, Cheshire
CHRIS SMITH and Harthill Mexico took their second consecutive winter grand prix victory, cruising to a 5.56sec win. Tom Dunning’s 11-year-old gelding has been produced up the grades by his wife Holly.
“Holly has done a very good job with him,” said Chris, who began to take over the ride last year, after Holly had qualified him for a string of finals. “The horse and I are on the same wavelength now. Six months ago, he was two steps behind me in a jump-off and when it’s bigger, you can’t get away with it. Now when I turn back, he knows what I want.”
Seven riders jumped clear around Gillian Milner’s first round track, but the first few combinations in the jump-off all made mistakes.
Flo Norris’s pathfinding round on Elton D’Acceglio was 5.66sec faster than Chris’s time, but she was unlucky to tip the last, while Maddison Heath (Ivory) was over four seconds up, but lowered the first.
After Rebecca Marsh (Stevie G) stormed round, but added eight faults, the remaining combinations opted for steadier clears, with Gemma Wright (Justin Bieber) and Jess Hewitt (Arbitrage) leaving them standing for third and second place respectively.
The door was left open for Chris and Harthill Mexico in final draw, and the 17.3hh grey made light work of the track, using a big, flowing stride to breeze into a comfortable lead.
Bu hikaye Horse & Hound dergisinin February 22, 2024 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 February 22, 2024 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
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
