Wymeswold show jumper toasts more success at Hickstead
Smith (nee Gillott) won the 1m 35 Winter Grades B and C Championship in the international arena, riding her own eight-year-old gelding Quality Old Joker.
Only four of the 22 starters jumped clear rounds, and Smith provided the fastest of those, finishing 2.88 seconds quicker than her closest rival.
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Smith was delighted with her horse who is part-owned by James Mossman, the Master of the Quorn Hunt.
“He’s 17.3 and big with it, so he’s not the most conventional but he’s honest,” she said.
“The jump-off really suited him and I knew it would. He can actually turn on a sixpence; he’s light on his feet for a big horse.
“My husband Graham bought him for me as a four-year-old – he came back with him and said ‘I’ve bought you a jumper’.
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“I wasn’t impressed at first; he’s so different to anything else I’ve got. He’s so sensitive, so you have to sit very quietly.
“He’s really versatile – he jumped a puissance at Bolesworth, he can do speed trials. You’d think he wouldn’t be quick, but actually he is.”
Smith has good recent form at Hickstead and travelled to the six-day show, one of the oldest and most prestigious on the calendar, looking to give her up-and-coming team some vital experience.
“I’ve got a young string here this week, so I’m not expecting too much,” she said. “But I’m hoping for some good solid rounds from them.”