A Bit of History Helps Pavitt Secure the EquestrianClearance.com Senior Newcomers Championship
Wednesday 08 October 2014
Nicole Pavitt was crowned EquestrianClearance.com Senior Newcomers Champion for a second time at the Horse of the Year Show - and then revealed that a 45-year-old bit proved key to her success.
The West Sussex-based rider triumphed two years ago with Our Duchess, and this time it was the seven-year-old French mare Tia Semilly that came up trumps for her.
And a bit loaned to her by former British international showjumper Malcolm Pyrah helped Nicole plot a victory path, although she admitted: "I've got to give it back now!"
The combination clocked 32.51 seconds in a seven horse jump-off to win by more than a second from Anthony Condon and Balzac, with Daniel Moseley and Dexter X third.
"It is a great education for the young horses to come to a big show like this one, and to be able to cope with the atmosphere, it's fantastic," Nicole said.
"This is my 12th year competing at HOYS, and it is still just as good as the first time.
"This horse has got a really bright future. She is by Diament De Semilly, who is known to produce grand prix horses, and in my eyes she has real grand prix potential.
"For me, this was her class. I woke up this morning with a feeling she was going to win it. She is quite a naturally fast horse, so I just let her keep coming forward, which suited her."
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