Heale scores a hat-trick

Several combinations enjoy multiple titles and a ‘sulky teenager’ redeems himself to take top honours

- MELANIE SCOTT

DESPITE a few speed bumps in her preparations for this show, Nicky Heale claimed three titles and four qualifying tickets. She was unbeatable in the elementary and medium gold music classes with Furstinclaire — scoring 75% and 74.61% respectively — and the pair also headed the advanced medium silver, with her own Welsh cob Retanach Request (Rocco) also qualifying in second.

Furstinclaire, known as “Bandage” at home, is an eight-year-old Fürstenball daughter, owned and bred by Verity Jenner.

“We haven’t had the best preparation: the previous Saturday she pulled a shoe off and stood on it, then when I went to start the lorry on Thursday, the electrics had stopped working,” said Nicky. “We had three classes on the first day, so we considered her fitness and would forfeit a class if we felt it was too much.

“She has a beautiful temperament but she was wild in her first class, which is not like her, and made three mistakes. She settled down afterwards and had plenty of energy.

“Bandage is new to music classes but has shown a real talent for them. The final medium music floorplan was completed on Wednesday and it rode amazingly.

“I was pleased Rocco was second and qualified in the advanced medium — this is the seventh consecutive year he’s qualified for the championships at Hartpury,” added Nicky of the 13-year-old by Derwen Gentleman. “I’m having so much fun with him; we’re aiming for grand prix and it’s nice to play with the bigger trot.”

Eilidh Grant also won three championships, riding Eranda Retto and Mount St John Doornroos II (Ella).