One of the UK’s most distinguished dressage riders, Jo Hamilton, has made a very welcome and successful return to competition following serious injury. Riding Corchapin (pictured), she secured a ticket to the nationals by winning the Equine Construction Advanced Medium Open summer regional championship at The Cabin EC, Aberdeenshire, 31 July – 2 August 2015.
This return to the competition arena is nothing short of miraculous. Eight months ago, on 21 December to be exact, Jo suffered a fall during a schooling session at home in Scotland which resulted in a brain injury despite her wearing a safety helmet. Jo was in an induced coma for ten days followed by a further eight-week stay in hospital before a long and testing path towards rehabilitation. Jo has had to re-learn basic activities such as walking and talking, and has ridden riding school horses in a bid to rebuild the strength, fitness and control in her body.
In the meantime, Corchapin, or ‘Colin’ as he’s fondly known, went to stay with Worcestershire-based rider Kate Cowell to continue his training. With the support of their trainer-mentor, Carl Hester, Kate has kept Colin on track with his progress, competing him at the winter championships, making his PSG debut, and successfully presenting him at the World Class Equine Pathway assessment.
Corchapin, an eight-year-old son of Negro who Jo co-owns with Lady Mary Hope took the advanced medium by a clear three percent margin. “Fairytales do happen...Colin and I have just won the advanced medium regional championship with 73.16%,” said an emotional Jo via her Facebook page. “And he won the warm-up yesterday with 73.55%. This is our first competition together in 10 months. He truly is my perfect partner.” And quick to show her appreciation to family and friends she added “Thank you to all who have made this possible.”
The highest score of the show went to Lucinda Elliot with the exquisite mare, Mount St John Best of All. Lucinda, who is stable rider for Emma Blundell’s Mount St John stud, piloted the five-year-old daughter of Bordeaux to win the Dodson & Horrell novice restricted with a score of 74.08%. The mare was champion four-year-old at last year’s Shearwater potential international dressage horse championship ridden by Charlotte Dujardin and has a 100% hit rate at novice. Along with the stud’s other performance mares, she’s flying the flag and proving a great ambassador for the MSJ breeding operation.
Class winners
BackinAction Preliminary
Lauten Cowie with Coady Bay Brazil, 71.54%
Dodson & Horrell Novice Restricted
Lucinda Elliot with Mount St John Best of All, 74.08%
Dodson & Horrell Novice Open
Jade Struthers with Fayvel, 71.21%
Nettex Elementary Restricted
Debbie Murray with Fancy Man MFS, 71.15%
Nettex Elementary Open
Robyn Smith with Francesco 77, 73.44%
TopSpec Medium Restricted
Nicky Heale with Seramai, 70.54%
TopSpec Medium Open
Jennifer Johnston with MFS Caliana, 72.52%
Equine Construction Advanced Medium Restricted
Mhairi Niven with Cocktail M, 67.37%
Equine Construction Advanced Medium Open
Jo Hamilton with Corchapin, 73.16%
Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges
Claire Moore with Rendezvous, 65.48%
Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I
Claire Moore with Rendezvous, 66.89%
For full results click here