Felbridge, Surrey
EVENT rider Gaspard Maksud collected his first ticket for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) when he claimed a victory on Ballypatrick Tiberius in the Foxhunter second round. While six combinations made the third phase, none of them left the fences standing, leaving Gaspard with strategic decisions to make jumping from penultimate draw.
“I had to try to go for it, but after I had the second fence down, I really had to put my foot down,” he said. “Maybe if I’d gone earlier I’d have jumped a clear but he definitely jumped better after he had the fence.”
Gaspard’s string now consists of an even split of eventers and showjumpers – eight-year-old Ballypatrick Tiberius began his career eventing but switched disciplines. He was aimed at newcomers second rounds last year but after jumping clear in the first round at this show, Gaspard broke his collarbone while jumping in another ring, putting a halt to their campaign.
Tiberius now has wins at 1.40m on his record, and has been on strong form this year.
“The first year we did three events with him but he couldn’t face the dressage,” Gaspard said. “We were a bit lost with what to do with him but as he jumped bigger he got better and better. When I stopped trying to make him go a certain way he was happier in himself.” Gaspard finished out in front of Katie Speller and BE Alcantara but her ticket later dropped down to Bryony Crippen and Catyana MDS in close third, as she was found to not have the full four qualifying double clears on her record.
CLARK COMES UP TRUMPS
HADLEY CLARK jumped a beautifully judged round from first
