Carron Nicol wins the Grand Prix at Onley Grounds Equestrian Complex
Tuesday 08 December 2020
The Onley Grounds Equestrian Complex show which took place between the 3 – 7 December, just after the national lockdown finished, saw not only good entries and but also strong competition take place. Incorporating some reallocated winter qualifiers at the last minute it was great to see so many coming forward to contest them and compete across the show which started just 24 hours after the second National Lockdown was lifted.
It was great news for Carron Nicol. She made a last-minute decision to attend the show and came away with victory in the clipmyhorse.tv Grand Prix on her consistent mare Nistria VD Winning Z.
“I’ve been away jumping in the sun in Portugal and it was so wet and miserable here I didn’t fancy it but came to support my son Leo Lamb – and glad I did,” she said.
Eight of the twenty-six starters qualified for the jump-off over David Cole’s 13-fence track, but Carron secured the win from second draw.
“She hasn’t jumped since Vilamoura a month ago so I gave her a run out in an earlier 1.20m class and she was back into it straight away, she tries her heart out and gives her best every time she enters the ring,” said Carron on the Nonstop x Cassini I 9-year-old bought three years ago.
Kerry Brennan chased hard with the ever-eager Wellington M to come within 0.42 sec for second place with Lisa Jones on Diana P in third.
Helen Tredwell saved the best until last in the nine-strong jump-off to take a 1.03 second victory in the Winter B and C on Ann and Colin Garratt’s Sheraton x Amethist 8-year-old Hannelina.
“There were only two clears and they were both quick so I had to take both inside turns and she pulled it out of the bag,” said Helen, who was pleased to be able to phone her owners with the good news. “Because of lockdowns and the restrictions, the Garratts have only seen their horses once this year, it was nice to phone and say we’d qualified.”
Madiy Jamison, 19, secured second place on Nicola Jamison’s Nabab De Reve x Le Tot De Semilly 10-year-old At First D’Authuit.
“He’s my mom’s favourite, a gentle giant who has taken me from 1.20m to 1.40m and above,” said Madiy.
Joe Trunkfield topped the SEIB winter novice with a spectacular inside turn on John Steel’s Camillo Von Hary Z, a 5-year-old by Marcus Ehning’s world-class stallion Comme Il Faut.
The thirty-eight starters were reduced to fifteen for the jump-off and Joe was determined to execute the midway turn to an oxer – one of the few to try.
“He’s green but so careful and such a trier; he tends to be quiet on the flat but becomes a livewire when he sees a fence,” said Joe.
Morgan Shirley maxed on her final draw to land the second Hickstead qualifying place with Brendon Stud’s Pandito Van’t Merelsnest, another 5-year-old bought purely on his breeding of Plot Blue x Larino.
“He’s related to [The USA’s] McLain Ward’s Sapphire on the damline and one we think a lot of. Qualifying today was a bonus, we’d come to this show to practise for the SEIB Winter Novice qualifier at the New Year Show here,” said Shirley Light of Brendon Stud.
Elegant, stylish yet quick as lightning, Jessica Botham sped to a 0.52 second victory in the Blue Chip Karma Performance with Jane Starkey’s 6-year-old Manzanita.
“This is only her second show indoors, we only jump her lightly, but she is so consistent,” said Jessica, who also won a Foxhunter and was second in a newcomers with this Cevin Z x Gunner B mare.
Louise Saywell dominated the winter 1.35m with the top two places on the 11-year-old Edgarrento (Zento x Numero Uno) and Keeley Durham’s home-bred 10-year-old Arakan (Arko x Randi). Both these horses have been competing with Louise’s partner Graham Lovegrove while Louise was jumping in Spain.
“Graham’s done a great job, they are easier to ride especially Edgarrento as he’s quite strong toward the end of a round,” said Louise.
Ben Walker claimed the Winter Grade C with Emma Ziff’s Creevy Taylor, a Pacino x Cruising 7-year-old stallion bought from Brendon Stud.
“I first rode him as a 4-year-old and he’s just stepped up and started winning 1.30m classes. He jumped clear every day at the Bolesworth Young Horse Show and loves life,” said Ben.
John Crippen aimed for one class and came away with the win in the Blue Chip Dynamic B and C with Maria Morris’s Gracia I, a Carosso VDL x Animo 9-year-old he first rode three years ago.
“Maria’s daughter Sammie has ridden her since, and she came back to me earlier this year. She likes to jump her on way but she’s careful and quick across the ground,” said John.
Tony Pearson just missed out on Winter B and C qualification with third place on Natali Gregory’s Captain Morgan III but the pair were at their speedy best in the Camparo Winter 1.25m qualifier and claimed a win by 2.28 seconds.
“He’s fast, careful and consistent at 1.35m and is now ready to go on to 1.40m classes,” said Tony on the Dutch-bred eight-year-old who also picked up Blue Chip B and C qualification at this show.
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