It’s all about the ‘Catherine’s’ in the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse classes at the Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing
Everything was set up today for the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse classes where judges are looking for potential for the future; an athletic, loose moving horse with a promising jumping technique and attitude, which, with effective training will develop physically and mentally into a world class event horse.
All horses are judged on a dressage phase, showjumping phase, a ‘gallop’ which shows their potential to lengthen stride and then finally suitability and type, where they are trotted up in-hand without a saddle.
The day started with the four-year-old class where it was all about the ‘Catherine’s’ as Catherine Robinson took the top spot riding Nicky Coats and Penny Cabourne’s Malawi Lancer. The 16.2 bay Anglo European scored 28.5 in the dressage phase, 32 for the jumping and 4 out of a possible 5 for the gallop. “He looks to have everything to be a top horse,” commented owners Nicky and Penny. They went on to comment that “Catherine does a great job of producing young horses and this Lancer Stud bred four-year-old is very exciting.”
During the afternoon the five-year-olds took to the arena which was hugely popular with 54 entries. Eventually, top spot was taken by Catherine Burrell and Fortendro, a stunning steel grey gelding. “I almost withdrew this morning, I didn’t think he was ready, he’s so green,” commented winning rider Catherine. “When I got here, I thought about putting my air jacket on as he has never seen anything like this, but he was fantastic. I certainly don’t envy the judges, as there were some brilliant horses in the class,” she continues. Owned by the ‘Day old donut’ syndicate, Fortendro fought off second placed Tom Grant and Nightshade and third placed Kate Honey on Meridianway Victory, a 16.2 grey sport horse out of well-known Billy Stud sire Cevin Z.
Qualifying horses will go forward to the Dubarry Young Event Horse Final at Burghley Horse Trials on Friday 1st September.
4-year-old class winner Catherine Robinson and Malawi Lancer with Catherine Fear and Woodsmoke.
