ADAM TAYLOR has established conspicuous form since stepping up to grand prix with Gangster II last autumn and they transitioned effortlessly to their first 1.50m here, claiming victory in the season’s opening area trial.
Adam and the 13-year-old gelding, who he has produced all the way from 1m classes, found themselves in experienced company in the five-strong second round, where they jumped the fastest of four double clears to win over Helen Tredwell (Independence TN). JP Sheffield was third on Be Careful As and Phillip Miller fourth on Don Royale.
“It’s my first area trial, so I just thought I’d give it a go and I’m over the moon,” said Adam.
“I was chatting to Phillip before I went in and he said, ‘Why are you nervous?’ I said, ‘You’ve done hundreds and it’s my first one!’
“I was last to go and had nothing to lose. He was feeling good, fresh and cheeky – a bit gangsterish! I let off the handbrake and he really tried.”
Adam took a shine to “Alan” when he came in on sales livery five years ago and ended up part-exchanging him for a Connemara.
Esta historia es de la edición May 16, 2024 de Horse & Hound.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 16, 2024 de Horse & Hound.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Jappeloup
A small horse who looked like two halves put together’, Jappeloup nonetheless proved to have a big heart and a huge talent”.
Collett takes two
A bumper fixture hosts 12 intermediate and open intermediate sections, as Paris contenders blow away the cobwebs
Capitalise on buyers' remorse
Equestrian properties might be in short supply, but prices are back to normal after the Covid frenzy as the capital lures buyers again
Games making
Equestrianism will be in the thick of the action in Paris, but the logistics of hosting Olympics in the heart of an iconic city are a challenge. Kate Johnson asks organisers, riders and grooms for their memories of urban Olympic sites
On the bench
Being picked as the \"fourth man\" to support a three-man Olympic team, ready to step in at any moment in the competition, requires a resilient and unflinchingly sportsmanlike mindset.
A brush with the Games
Want to know what really goes into preparing an Olympic campaign? Bethany Stone speaks to top industry grooms with star-studded CVs for the scoop
One moment in time
The Olympics is the zenith of an athlete's career but precious few scale those giddy heights. Sue Polley asks four British Olympians about their most memorable experiences
'Pride? I just felt relief
Blyth Tait on jumping barn roofs, \"freezing\" in the Atlanta heat and the day his eight-year-old prodigy won Olympic gold
Mental health advocate
Harry Dunlop retired from training in 2022, having held his licence for 16 years. He founded the Trainer Support Network in 2023
Hugo Simon
The six-time Olympian tells Bernard Bale about his \"extraterrestrial\" string of horses, changing nationality and his success at the boycotted Games