Gillian Anderson secures victory in the NAF Five Star Summer Silver League Qualifier riding Stand Up at Muirmill Equestrian Centre
Tuesday 13 June 2023
Stand Up delivered for NHS nurse Gillian Anderson in the NAF Five Star Summer Silver League Qualifier at Muirmill Equestrian Centre in Scotland.
“I work full time in the operating theatre on 12-hour shifts but luckily they are very understandable and flexible when it comes to shows and my mum runs a livery yard so there is always someone to ride my horses when I’m working,” said Gillian.
A total of 51 competitors came forward over course-designer Shaun Sands’ 12-fence 1.15m track to chase after the three qualifying places on offer, with 28 achieving their initial clear round goal. These were almost halved for the third and final round against the clock as 15 made their way into the jump-off.
Gillian forged ahead on Stand Up, a German-bred 11-year-old sired by Stanley, claiming a 0.72 second advantage to win in the latter half of the jump-off.
“Everyone followed the same route, I had to take strides out,” said Gillian, who bought Stand Up three years ago during the Covid Pandemic through trainer Andrew Hamilton. “I was there to try another horse but they brought him out as well. There was plenty of time to get to know him because of the lockdowns and it did take time but now I feel we have really clicked. He lights up with the atmosphere and gets excited at a show and he’s very cheeky; I have another gelding in the stables and it’s like a competition who gets the most attention.”
2018 HOYS NAF Five Star Silver League champion Lucinda Stewart took her first step to regaining the title with second place on Jortel La Vie and Mischa Irving guided I Sir Marcus into third.
Muirmill Equestrian Centre – Saturday, 10 June 2023
NAF Five Star Summer Silver League Qualifier
1st Gillian Anderson & Stand Up – 0/0/0 - 40.39 seconds
2nd Lucinda Stewart & Jortel La Vie – 0/0/0 - 41.11 seconds
3rd Mischa Irving & I Sir Marcus – 0/0/0 - 41.92 seconds
NB: Qualifications will be updated pending official grading of results.
Image: Equiscot Photography
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