Drakemyre Puttin On The Ritz

The level-headed gelding with HOYS and RIHS wins has achieved more than most in his youth. Alex Robinson speaks to those who love him best

- Alex Robinson

OWNER HENRIETTA TILL

“INDIA first sat on ‘Alfie’ when she was just nine years old, and he was a novice four-year-old. His former owner and producer Katy Carter’s daughter, Poppy, had qualified two ponies for a championship, so Katy asked India to jump on Alfie. A few people outside of the ring said that we had to buy him. He was still very babyish at this point, though he’s always been a dream pony with a level head.

“At home he’s a chilled-out dude; he hacks out, rides across open fields and he’s recently started dressage. Aside from his lovely character, his presence is something else; the way he stands over the ground, even in the stable, is magnificent. If I could scale him up to 14.2hh I’d be very happy! He loves what he does, and I’ve never seen him sour to this day.

“Watching India and Alfie win the 2019 Royal International [RIHS] supreme was highly emotional. I think I cried the whole time they were in the ring. Hickstead is a special place for me; I would go as a child with my parents, who I lost a few years ago. My father used to judge showjumping there. To see India in that main arena where he would have stood was incredible.”

“He loves what he does – I’ve never seen him sour to this day”

JUDGE STUART HOLLINGS