Spooky Isaac scores debut

Ros Canter scores her second fivestar win of the year, on a young horse making his first attempt at the level, and heads an allBritish top six as the European eventing season concludes

- BECKY MURRAY

“HE’S an amazing horse, one of the best in the world I think,” said Ros about 10-year-old Izilot DHI, who claimed victory at his first-ever five-star.

The statement could sound bold, but it would be unwise to doubt a rider who this year was crowned European champion and won Badminton with Lordships Graffalo.

Ros has long spoken about Izilot DHI’s talent, and his “spookiness”, but the gelding she co-owns with Alex Moody has continued to deliver results this year, with wins in the Blair Castle CCI4*-S and Blenheim CCI4*-L.

Despite this, Ros said that Pau seemed like a big ask at one point, let alone to have a victory there.

“Even six months ago, this probably would have been a step too far, so I’m unbelievably proud of him. It makes all the hard work worthwhile,” she said, adding that credit goes to her support team of coaches Ian and Amy Woodhead and Caroline Moore, her home team and her mother Heather.

"We didn't really think about winning this competition, it's his first fivestar and he's a nervous horse, and we just wanted to give him a nice experience."

Ros had to use all her skills to deliver that experience on the first day of competition, and the trust and partnership between them was demonstrated when "Isaac" became unsettled by a cameraman in the arena, which left them cutting it fine to make their way down the centre line after the buzzer went.

Ros held Isaac's hand, and he relaxed enough to deliver the second-best dressage score, 24.3, behind Tom McEwen and JL Dublin's 23.1. Tom and JL Dublin had overtaken the first day's leaders, Tim Price and five-star first-timer Viscount Viktor, who were on 28.