'Princess' Karisma scores a treble

Two talented mares steal the limelight at the Scottish regionals, while patience pays off for a winner in Wales

- ANDREA OAKES and MARTHA TERRY

Netherton EC winter regionals, Perthshire and Kinross 

JO BARRY scored a hat-trick of wins, claiming elementary, medium and medium freestyle gold titles with Karisma II.

“They say that when you get a good mare who wants to work with you, she’s unbeatable,” said Jo. “Karisma is like that, she goes the extra mile. She’s so focused and has a fantastic work ethic.”

The home-bred eight-year-old is by San Amour and out of Donnabel, who also produced Jo’s prolific winners Vivaldi V and Hidalgo II.

“Karisma is a bit of a princess and can be difficult in the stable, but the judges often comment about how harmonious the partnership looks,” said Jo. “She hasn’t done many mediums and never a test as hard as that. You could tell afterwards that she’d put everything into it.

“She’s learning her flying changes at home at the moment, and we hope that by the end of the year she’ll get to advanced medium and beyond.”

Karen Dewar notched up no fewer than four silver wins with her Dream Boy mare Kianca, taking the honours at novice, elementary and both freestyles.

“She’s beautiful in every way,” said Karen, forgiving Kianca for “the numerous deckings” she has endured to get to this point.

Louise Doherty enjoyed her first regionals win, heading the prelim silver section with her rising six-year-old gelding Playing It Cooley. After buying the Cardento son (Cedric) from Richard Sheane as a four-year-old to event, Louise has been impressed with his temperament and trainability.