Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2013 | Page 65

EQUESTRIAN

Horses have

more quality

Nearing the end of the summer season I

and the best gallop I have ever sat on. He

horse Riverwood (Vernon) who went from a

realised this year was much the same as

never once stopped cross-country although

green five-year-old to jumping 1.40m tracks at

last year and the year before. Same show

we did end up a couple of times upside down

Hickstead, who is now semi retired at home.

grounds, same faces, same top riders and the

in the water because he jumped too big.

same competitions.
I think particularly in show jumping not a

He was placed in six novice events in a row

Then came Rydam Regis (Gregory).
Bought as a skinny two-year-old we knew he

and ended up at intermediate level before

had talent from day one. A big powerful horse

lot has changed; the Hickstead Derby was

soundness took its toll. He stayed with us till

with great scope and enthusiasm, and as

won with one clear round; the speed Derby

his dying day. We continued eventing with

with all these horses, loved to perform. It was

and the Eventers’ Grand Prix was as exciting

several others; Bertram became Intermediate

with great sadness that after putting up a foot

as ever, and the young horse show gave us

before being sold to the United States and

perfect performance at the young horse show

some promising young horses.

continued up to international level. We sold

as a seven-year-old we were made an offer

several through the Performance sales that

too good to turn down, so he was sold and is

have gone on to great things.

now jumping Grand Prixs in America.

Maybe the horses over the years have got
a bit more quality, and careful with better
breeding and training. But thinking back there

We then took to show jumping and had

have been some greats; the ones that stick in

two lovely horses Magnate Maybe and St

through our hands. They all have their own

my mind are the show jumper Milton, eventer

Boniface Lad owned by Jan Scovell, both

individual good and bad points and may not

Be Fair, and dressage horse Dutch Courage.

completely different but very talented. Webby

be superstars but all were given the same

was a stallion and was a nippy horse, good

upbringing and training to bring out the best

I have had the pleasure of bringing on and

against the clock, a real winner while Charlie

in them.

competed. It all started with Flying Frigate or

was a power jumper, better for bigger tracks.

This got me thinking of all the great horses

Geoffrey as he was known to us.

These are just a few that have passed

In fact, Charlie was the first horse I rode

He was bought as a three-year-old from

at Hickstead in the Foxhunter second round

Ireland, a huge horse with the biggest heart

and got me hooked. Not forgetting our lovely

Equine trainer
Robert Booth BHSI
Rodgebrook Horses
Tel: [phone]
rodgebrookhorses.co.uk

www.visitislandlife.com

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