Carl Hester made it two Grand Prix wins from two CDI starts this afternoon in a sun drenched arena at the inaugural Equerry Bolesworth CDI. Supported by the Berkeley Group, the Grand Prix attracted entries from 15 riders from seven nations but it was the home country which dominated the podium.
Carl, riding for Anne Seifert-Cohn, partnered Barolo, the Breitling W sired chestnut he took over from his protégé early this year and ‘Rolo’ is proving to be a worthy back up to his main European Championship contender, Nip Tuck. But for crossed wires in the one-time flying changes, it was a polished performance you’d expect from a combination with years together, not just months. Carl felt there was noticeable improvement in the weeks since their Windsor debut; “He feels technically better and his pirouettes, Piaffe and passage are coming on. His changes are usually a strong point but today we messed up the ones; had they been going toward the judges I don’t think we’d have had the issue.”
He was quick to add that the horse continues to impress him; “He didn’t have the education up through the system, young horse classes, etcetera, it feels like he almost stared at Grand Prix! So I’ve taken him back a few steps and he’s got to get used to me, and me to him; at the end of the day I’m about three stone heavier than Charlotte so he has to work that bit harder. Mind you, he certainly makes me work hard too.
“I love riding him; he’s talented and so very capable!” Carl concluded.
Second place with 72.84% went to Gareth Hughes riding Anne Keen’s Don Carissimo. This is also a pairing very much in their early chapters together but, like our winners, showed they’ve been training hard at home to produce a more fluent, relaxed test this time out. “He’s getting more regular and more expressive,” explained Gareth. “That means that the arena is riding bigger so I have more time for everything and I can prepare and ride better. He nearly scored 73% today and if you’d have asked me a while ago, I’d have said he was a 72% horse but today he’s shown me that there’s plenty more to come. I know there’s areas where we can pick up half a percent here and there, when you add them up, he’ll be pushing 75 – 76%. Plus, the judges need to get to know him, it’s important. He’s not a flashy ‘look at me’ type but one that the more you look, the more you like him. He’s a really exciting horse!”
Third was Gillian Davison and her Negro sired Alfranco on 70.38% to complete the British domination of the top three. Her score also secured the inaugural Cheshire Crown which links Bolesworth with the Somerford Park Premier League fixture held a matter of weeks ago. The beautiful bronze trophy was awarded to owner of the horse with the highest score over the two Grand Prix classes. Being an owner rider, Gill will also enjoy £500 and a VIP trip to London for the Olympia Freestyle night in December including a night in the exclusive No 16 hotel in South Kensington.
“What a great surprise! I was really happy with him today; he let me ride him in the arena which was perfect as he’s been a bit of a nightmare all week as he’s in love with Bubblingh (husband Richard’s horse) and they’ve been very attached all week. But I trotted up the tunnel and he forgot all about it. It’s only his second test this year so I’m really happy. The bonus of winning the Cheshire Crown is really lovely too,” said Gill.
This evening features the Kingsley Equestrian Inter I Freestyle – watch via livestream. Another action packed day is instore tomorrow at Bolesworth with the Churchill Retirement Prix St George Invitational which gets underway at 8:30am.
Full results – click here
Event website – click here
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Barolo blooms at Bolesworth
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