Sales reject proves her worth

A temperamental mare nobody wanted clocks up a second win, while a youngster bounces back from a virus

- ELLIE HUGHES

AN 11-year-old mare who failed to sell – even for £800 – delighted her connections when she topped novice section B.

“Luckily for us she’s turned into a real cracker,” said Alice Bibby of Katharine Davis’ Princess Tinara, who came over from Ireland as a raw four-year-old as part of a consignment of youngsters for Katharine’s dealing business, Irish Horse Imports.

“Her stable name is ‘Grumpy’. She’s always been grumpy, which is why no one wanted her, and when she was eventually sold for £800 only to be returned a couple of weeks later, Katharine moved her out of the sales yard and kept her as a project.”

Katharine hunted the mare and started her eventing, while she was also competed by Diani Western-Kaye.

“I took over when I began working for Katharine and [business partner] James in June,” explained Alice.

The pair, who also won a novice at West Wilts (2) and have finished second on two other occasions since August, completed on their dressage score of 30.8.