Izzy Takes Centre-Stage at Thoresberton International

Izzy Taylor galloped to success in the main BEDE CCI3*-L section at Thoresberton International Horse Trials, a first-time venue event and one that met with great approval from riders and their support teams.

The Oxfordshire-rider and her ride, Hartacker, battled to the end with a superb clear in the showjumping to maintain their lead over Piggy French and Sportsfield Topnotch. Eighteen-year-old, Oliver Jackson and Viktor Krum showed their class and potential to claim third against stiff competition.

Said Izzy:

He is a very exciting young horse and just ate up the cross-country.  He is very classy and good in all three phases.  I have had a fantastic time here and really enjoyed the cross-country which was a proper track.  With the weather and ground, it has been testing but he has learned a lot for the future.”

Added Piggy of Sportsfield Topnotch: “He is a beautiful horse and has everything for five-star level, he just needed time to grow into himself and is definitely one of my favourites. “

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BEDE CCI2*-L

Flintshire’s Sian Davies-Cooke and Intentie W were in triumphant mood in the BEDE CCI2*-L when taking the lead just ahead of young rider Serena Kullich.

It was one of the biggest wins for Sian and the talented seven-year-old bay, who shows all the promise of going much further in the sport.

Said Sian:

What a brilliant day, myself and Jane Davies own the horse and it is her birthday today, so a very special occasion for everyone involved.

We bought Intentie as a five-year-old from Holland and he was really consistent in all phases, starting with a really lovely dressage test, super cross-country and clear in the showjumping, I couldn’t be more pleased.”

In second place, 20-year-old Serena Kullich and Cognac Des Iris were at just their fourth event together, the Surrey rider having bought the eight-year-old from France last year.

Said Serena:

He is such a star, I am aiming for young riders with him and this weekend he showed so much talent the future is very exciting.  He just made it feel easy and we have really got to know each other here at Thoresberton.”

Overnight leader, Jamie-Lee Day fell to third after an unlucky pole at the last but the Bristol-based rider remained delighted with the result and praised her ride, Hanleen Didjeridoo.

I have really enjoyed the brilliant venue at Thoresby Park and the organisers did a fantastic job simply to run.  Yes it was disappointing to have the last fence down but he has finished full of beans and I have had a great time.”

British Eventing Seven-Year-Old Championship

Tom Jackson’s trip to Thoresberton rounded off with a fantastic finish in the British Eventing Seven-Year-Old Championship with a brilliant win on HH Moonwalk.

After finishing the showjumping in the lead, Tom and the attractive bay cruised around the cross-country on the magnificent Thoresby parkland to stay at the top of the leaderboard finishing on a score of 28.4.

Said Tom:

I am over the moon with the result. He is fairly inexperienced at this level so to come here and win is just fantastic.  We will hopefully start the spring season with a long format three star, he is very promising so will be produced with the future in mind.”

Frenchman Gaspard Maksude and Zaragoza II were just behind with 29.3 penalties, the talented mare giving him much to be excited about.

Said the Crawley-based rider:

She can be tense in the dressage so we need to take care in the first phase but when it comes to the jumping she is very fast and careful.  The time is not a problem and she has so much scope, it has been a great event.”

Piggy French was busy throughout Thoresberton with a host of rides and was delighted with third place on Geoffrey Burton’s attractive homebred, I Diablo Joe.

Said Piggy:

He is very special and a pleasure to produce and be around.  It is extra special when they are homebred and tries really hard in all three phases.  I have a wonderful team of young horses at the moment so there is a lot to look forward to.”

British Eventing Six-Year-Old Championship

In superlative form, Piggy went on to head the British Eventing Six-Year-Old Championship with Susie Woods, handsome grey, Cooley Goodwood.

Another talented youngster to be sourced from Richard Sheane in Ireland, Piggy was full of praise for the Obos Quality gelding.

Added Piggy:

He is a lovely horse, that has been with us since the end of his four-year-old year.  He is very scopey and talented and can turn his hand to anything.  His owners are great fun and very loyal and he looks set to be one for the future.”

Holding runner-up position overnight, Cheshire’s Hayden Hankey and Heads Up maintained their second place as did Bubby Upton on Cooley As Ice when finishing third in what was a well-fought championship.

Head’s Up continues to show his versatility and talent, a winner of the Horse of the Year Show Working Hunter Championships a year ago, the Catherine Witt and rider owned, bay gelding, was found by Hayden in Ireland two years ago.

Said Hayden:

He came from my good friend, Jim Derwin and really has five star potential.  He is a brilliant showjumper as well and has done about eight events.  He has the ability to be world class and we just need to look after him and produce him with the future in mind.”

For more information and results visit www.bede-events.co.uk/thoresberton-international

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