Angel proves too tough to beat at Liverpool
Sunday 03 January 2016
Liverpool unveiled its very own Angel of the North as the Equestrian.com Liverpool International Horse Show enjoyed a thrilling start to an action-packed final day.
Twelve-year-old Angel Tough completed a memorable winning double by capturing the 1.20-metre amateur jump-off class, sponsored by Your Horse.
It was a display of remarkable maturity by the Manchester-based youngster, who guided nine-year-old mare Varuni Z - a horse owned by her grandfather - to victory.
Their jump-off time of 37.86 seconds was only seriously challenged by one combination - Tony Pearson and Arash - but they finished just two hundredths of a second behind to claim runners-up spot, while Chloe Breen, wife of Irish international showjumping star Shane Breen, took third.
Tough had already shown her quality by winning an amateur speed class on Saturday, and she became the first rider at the inaugural Liverpool International event to claim a double victory.
"I was pretty anxious watching it all towards the end of the jump-off," Tough said. "I followed my dad's instructions, but I lost my stirrup at the third fence in the jump-off.
"I am absolutely made up to win. She is my grandad's horse, and I have been riding her for three months.
"She's a really friendly horse and likes to do things with you. She is always happy."
Sunday's opening competition - a 1.30-metre amateur class, sponsored by Land Rover Experience Peckforton Castle - went to Ireland's Kristen Farr, riding R Candy.
Just two combinations from 14 starters went clear, but 19-year-old Farr's time of 55.15 seconds proved enough to give her a comfortable victory over runner-up Jake Aston and Wise Guy, while Aston's fellow British challenger William Rekert was third aboard Flair van Overis Z.
"She was super for me today," Farr said. "It has been a fantastic show, and to compete in that arena is unreal.
"The horse is a bit of a star. She has won a couple of grands prix at home in Ireland, but today is probably her biggest international win."
