Showjumping Is Back In Business

As riders familiarise themselves with the new-look sport, Lottie Platt hits the ground running and Holly Smith debuts some exciting new talent

- Penny Richardson

LOCAL rider Lottie Platt won the major class, a 1.30m/1.40m handicap, on Indigo I at Pyecombe’s first affiliated show since the relaxation of lockdown.

Lottie is usually seen on homebred Team 55 horses, but seven-year-old Indigo, by Luidam, was bred in Wales by Castell Sports Horses.

“I bought her after seeing her at Hickstead with Alex Hempleman as a four-year-old,” explained Lottie. “She has a special brain and knows she’s good, but the lockdown has actually been good for us both. I’ve had to focus on training and despite being very low-mileage, she’s as forward as any horse of the same age. I’m hoping to do bigger classes next season and ranking classes when she’s nine. She certainly feels capable.”

Daley Fisher added a 1.30m double clear on Curly Sue 163 to their win in the 1.20m open. Daley has been competing for this 13-year-Hanoverian mare since August 2019.

“She’s a really nice horse,” said Daley, who was Ben Maher’s head groom before returning to the saddle as manager of David and Louise Simpson’s DLS team.