Virginia Draper traces her interest back seven years, to a trekking holiday in Andalusia. The holiday started a love affair with Diamante, the PRE (Pura Raza Española, or Pure Breed Spanish) stallion she rode on that occasion and several more times when she returned to the area.
“His owner, Donna, always joked that I should take him home because it would be cheaper than all the holidays,” she laughs, and three years later she did.
Diamante was 12 when he came to London and was stabled in Hackney close to Virginia’s home and the Lee Valley Riding Centre. It is testament to the versatility of the breed and the rapport he had with his owner that this foreign horse, born and bred in the Andalusian mountains, adapted so well to life in Britain.
“He had never been in an arena and as a foal he lived in a garage with his mother,” Virginia explains.
This story is from the February 04, 2021 edition of Horse & Hound.
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This story is from the February 04, 2021 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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