Playboy on top of his game with fifth win
Wednesday 24 July 2024
1lejnx86n10jw.jpg "Playboy on top of his game with fifth win")
Playboy Van De Zoetewei stormed into the record books as the pony to have won the most Hickstead titles, when he headed the Coldstream Equestrian BS Winter 138cm Championship for an incredible fifth time at the Agria Royal International Horse Show.
Partnered on this occasion by 12-year-old Amy Capper, the 13-year-old bay gelding swept into an almost 3 second lead from third to go of the eight combinations to make the jump-off. Despite a competitive field, where all bar two riders remained faultless in the second phase, Amy managed to maintain a 2.73 second advantage over second placed Ella Kay and Icarus W.
Playboy retained the title he won last year with Amy’s sister Lucy, having also won in 2018 and 2019 with Tabitha Kyle, and in 2022 with Tilly Bamford. “My sister was telling me just to let him go because he knows what he’s doing,” said Amy, who took over the ride seven month ago. “She said ‘just let him go and you help him out if he needs it’. He didn’t need it!
“It was a nice course with a big open space which suits him,” she added. “There weren’t many turns and it was about how fast you could go.”
Amy only qualified at her last attempt as Playboy can be a little spooky indoors, thriving in larger outdoor rings like Hickstead’s International Arena. “It’s so nice here and great to be able to jump in the main ring,” said Amy, whose victory made her long journey from her home near Glasgow airport worthwhile.
The Agria Royal International Horse Show runs from 24-28 July at Hickstead in West Sussex. Tickets are available at the gate or can be booked online at www.hickstead.co.uk. All the action from the International Arena will be livestreamed on ClipMyHorse.TV and Hickstead.TV.
Image: Boots and Hooves Photography
