Louise McDonald and Fanta-astic are off to HOYS with victory in the NAF Five Star Bronze League Semi-Final at Chard Equestrian
Monday 31 July 2023
Louise McDonald secured the top spot of the NAF Five Star Bronze League Semi-Final at Chard Equestrian in Somerset with a super-quick, decisive jump-off round on the aptly-named Fanta-astic.
Could it be third-time lucky for the pair? They contended the 2021 NAF Five Star HOYS Bronze Final and finished third a year later – this time Louise is hoping for the ultimate win.
Fifty-four hopefuls chased their dream of competing at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show and tackled course-designer Krissy Spiller’s 12-fence 1.05m track. Twenty-three achieved their initial aim of a clear round with 14 making their way into the jump-off.
Louise, 19, who is based in Maidenhead, Berkshire, negotiated the shortest route on the British-bred 13-year-old chestnut gelding to claim victory by 1.01 seconds.
“I think I was the only one to turn inside to the double. He previously evented and is good at landing and going away from the fence and turning quickly,” said Louise, who acquired Fanta-astic in 2020 during lockdown.
“He’s my first horse after jumping ponies; I wanted something safe to get me started [in senior classes], he’d evented and done very little showjumping before I got him,” said Louise, who immediately felt a bond. “He can be cheeky to handle on the ground – he likes to just trot off – but I feel very safe with him.”
Fittingly, it was all about jumping and seven treble clears filled the HOYS qualifying places. Hannah Thorne guided the Cardento 15-year-old Cinderella into second place with Mandy Dexter and the Cavalier Two For Joy 10-year-old piebald Cavalier Gold in third ahead of fourth-placed Terri Hill’s 12-year-old Darco daughter T J Toy. Jassy Pyke will make her HOYS debut on the 12-year-old Bon Amego (Cador x Grannus) with fifth place, Amelia Wood steered the Arkan 9-year-old Arkans Las SL into sixth and Leah Lynch supplied the final treble clear for seventh on the Irish-bred Kings Master 16-year-old Midnight Time.
Chard Equestrian – Saturday. 29 July 2023
NAF Five Star Bronze League Semi-Final
1st Louise McDonald & Fanta-astic – 0/0/0 - 30.63 seconds
2nd Hannah Thorne & Cinderella – 0/0/0 - 31.64 seconds
3rd Mandy Dexter & Cavalier Gold – 0/0/0 - 34.41 seconds
4th Terri Hill & T J Toy – 0/0/0 - 35.79 seconds
5th Jassy Pyke & Bon Amego – 0/0/0 - 35.84 seconds
6th Amelia Wood & Arkans Lass SL – 0/0/0 - 35.89 seconds
7th Leah Lynch & Midnight Time – 0/0/0 - 37.89 seconds
NB: Qualifications pending official grading of results.
Image: ESP Photographic
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