Sintano Sings

Gareth Hughes upsets the formbook to top the inter I while Charlotte Dujardin retains her PSG and inter I freestyle titles.

- Stephanie Bateman

GARETH HUGHES proved he has strength in depth when it comes to horsepower, landing the Saracen Horse Feeds inter I aboard Judy Firmston-Williams’ stunning nine-year-old Sintano Van Hof Olympia.

The Sandro Hit x Silvano gelding earned 75.21%, flaunting expressive paces, well-controlled pirouettes and crisp, clean changes to relegate Charlotte Dujardin to the runner-up spot.

Everyone had their eye on the queen of dressage on Mount St John Valencia, who beat Gareth into second in the prix st georges (PSG) the previous day, but tension crept in to the chestnut mare’s canter work and despite topping the leaderboard for the majority of the class, Gareth’s flawless masterclass later in the proceedings put him in front.

“Sintano felt like a grand prix horse today,” smiled Gareth. “He has all the talent. He’s like [my top horse] Classic Briolinca in that the harder you work him, the more he loves it.”

Gareth bought the gelding as a six-year-old.

“He has everything for grand prix and finds piaffe and passage easy,” added Gareth. “He’s a big mover, and the small tour work is very open so spreads him out. The grand prix work will suit him better because it closes him up. Horses that are really sensitive make the movements easy to ride, but you have to be able to ride them in an atmosphere and he proved he could handle that here.”