News
Petplan Equine Preliminary Silver Area Festival Championship: revised copy
- Written By: British Dressage
- Published: Thu, 17 Sep 2020 09:04 GMT
The original winner of the Petplan Equine Preliminary Silver Area Festival Championship has been retrospectively disqualified, therefore the 2020 title has been awarded to Penny Graepel and her talented piebald performer, Amour Just Cruising with a score of 71.6%.
“I was delighted with him” said Penny, who celebrated her 60th birthday at the show with not only this performance but also fourth in the Novice Bronze. “The first half of the test I managed to produce what we do at home; the second half of the test he dropped behind my leg a little - but the fact that he’s relaxed is also one of his strengths. He’s completely unfazed by any environment.”
Ten year old ‘Cruise’ was purchased three years ago by Penny who’d spotted him advertised on Facebook. “He belonged to somebody locally and when I’d seen him out competing I thought ‘that’s the horse I want to buy’, then I saw his ad. Facebook exploded with interest but luckily I managed to get in first to buy him,” Penny explained proudly.
He’s a really special horse - a complete saint but he’s got some quality about him.
“He’s a really special horse - a complete saint but he’s got some quality about him. He’s out of a cob mare and by Amour G who is renowned for a good temperament,” said Penny who trains with Brendan Tegg. “He really is perfect for me, especially being an older competitor – I couldn’t wish for more.”
The Carmarthenshire rider rode up until her early 20s but took it up again only recently. “My career and having children took over. I supported my daughters with their riding – they did showjumping and dressage – then when they went away to do their own thing, I was left ‘holding the horses’. I was fit as I was running half marathons at the time, and now I do a lot of power walking – about 30 miles per week – plus Pilates, which is invaluable for dressage.”
Laura Wright riding Chilternview Elite Star (71.25%) has been promoted up to the runner up spot.
Photo © Hoof Prints Photos
