Douglas Duffin secures his place in the UNIBED High Performance Equine Bedding Winter Grades B and C Final at Northcote Stud
Tuesday 07 November 2023
Douglas Duffin used smooth yet deceptively fast lines to claim victory in the UNIBED - High Performance Equine Bedding Winter Grades B and C qualifier at Northcote Stud’s Winter Classic in Lancashire, with Millfield Chacolatte.
Qualification was a main aim for Douglas on this mare – “Hickstead is our favourite show and it would normally be on our calendar even if we hadn’t qualified,” he said. “Plus, Chacolatte successfully jumped the seven-year-old classes there last year; it’s good to feel confident we’re in with a shout as she’s jumped in the International arena before.”
Seven of the original 37 starters safely negotiated course-designer Nigel Jess’ 1.35m track to make their way into the jump-off, Douglas taking advantage of his penultimate draw on the deceptively quick Millfield Chacolatte’s to take a smooth win by 0.87 seconds.
“She ticks all the boxes, bold, brave, very careful and naturally fast without looking like she’s going fast; she’s so economical which is how she saves time, she’s quick without trying,” said Douglas, who claims Northcote Stud is “One of our locals, it’s only four hours from Scotland.”
Bred in Yorkshire by Millfield Stud, Millfield Chacolatte is by Chacoon Blue and out of a Lordanos mare was purchased with Katie Sawers alongside Douglas from Sarah Hutton nine months ago.
“She’s so straightforward and easy, the plan was for Katie to jump 1.20m amateur classes but as she’s busy with children and pony classes, I’ve been riding Chacolatte and she’s looking so promising and progressing so well, I’m keeping her! She’ll continue to jump in B and C classes and the odd 1.40m this year,” said Douglas.
With a lot of time taken up training at pony shows, Douglas isn’t out competing every weekend.
“I don’t get to as many shows now but the horses are fresh and we had a successful Northcote as Jordan Thompson, who rides for me, was also in the money throughout the week, won the Winter 1.35m and finished fourth in the Winter Grand Prix,” he added.
Jessica Quine claimed her place in the prestigious Royal International Horse Show Final, Hickstead, with second place on the Casallco x Winning Mood 7-year-old mare Lalu TW.
Northcote Stud Winter Classic – 4 November, 2023
UNIBED - High Performance Equine Bedding Winter Grades B & C
1st Douglas Duffin & Millfield Chacolatte – 0/0 - 32.37 seconds
2nd Jessica Quine & Lalu TW – 0/0 - 33.24 seconds
3rd Jessica Hewitt & Arbritrage – 0/0 - 33.72 seconds
NB: Results pending official grading.
Image: Majestic Photogrpahy
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