TWO exciting young para horses topped the Dodson & Horrell novice silver, a class in which the top three riders all qualified on wildcards. Paralympic gold medallist Natasha Baker held the lead for a long time with her new horse, Keystone Dawn Chorus, but last-to-go Louise Robson rode Remi II, the 10-year-old she co-owns with para rider Amanda Shirtcliffe, to snatch victory on 73.03%.
A year ago Remi, known at home as Kevin, came to Stoneleigh with another rider for the Trailblazers championships and “decimated the white boards and everyone around him,” said Louise, who was competing at her first national championships.
“Amanda and I were really apprehensive about bringing him here, for the paras especially. He wasn’t the most straightforward when we first got him in November 2017, so we’re just teaching him through able-bodied dressage to make him a better para horse. He can be lazy but riding him with force is not the way forward. His heart is ruled by his stomach so once we learnt that, we could tell him he was a good boy by giving him treats and this positive reinforcement has been the way forward with him.”
The Desert Moon gelding also competed in the grade III para championship that morning with Amanda, finishing third.
“After that test Amanda assured me he would be fine and he went in the arena again bold and happy,” added Louise, who retrains racehorses for a living, and started her day at 3am so she could ride at home before travelling to Stoneleigh.
“Kevin is adorable and still has so much to give — this is just the beginning. His walk is a highlight, his trot is expressive and now he’s learning to go on his own and carry himself with less leg.”
This story is from the September 19, 2019 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 19, 2019 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The joys of spring
With the hunters roughed off, Tessa Waugh is enjoying some time pottering around among the spring blooms, defuzzing the ponies and catching up on the postman's gossip
Welsh stallion is the perfect Example
A stallion bred in Holland is the top inhand pony, while a Connemara shines once more at his favourite showground
Slip collector organiser
Fi Norbury on the childhood thrill of being mistaken for a competitor, perfect grooming and Badminton’s crowds
Homer's magical royal run
A top showing family leads the hunters, a maxi is best of the cobs and a worker steals hearts with his ride
A shared responsibility
Biosecurity measures are not always implemented as they should be, but that needs to change. Liz Richardson MRCVS examines research on the impediments
Libby Seed
Libby Seed schools in a field, cold-showers with a bucket before driving to work in hospitals, and prepares for Badminton in her spare time. Martha Terry finds out how she does it
How to protect yourself as a buyer or seller of horses
Equestrian legal experts go through steps that can be taken to safeguard all parties involved
FEI 2025 senior Europeans at risk with no live bids
A lack of venues coming forward to host championships is a cause for concern with costs proving a major blocker
New competition and classification to mean dressage will be for all
The new partnerships with British Dressage will provide opportunities for riders with intellectual disabilities
Pressure grows on the FEI to tackle concerns in dressage
A leading judge has made some recommendations he believes will help support the sport's future