Holly Johnstone takes her first step to HOYS in the NAF Five Star Summer Silver League Qualifier at Richmond Equestrian Centre
Tuesday 30 May 2023
Holly Johnstone and the ultra-consistent Carquoise Du Ceve sped to victory in the NAF Five Star Summer Silver League Qualifier at Richmond Equestrian Centre.
Twenty-six competitors faced course-designer Tracey Strangeways 11-fence 1.15m track with 12 making their way into round two with initial clears. Three were lost on the way to round three to leave nine in the final jump-off to chase the three qualifying semi-final places.
Holly spotted the shortest route with the eager French-bred 11-year-old gelding to edge ahead by 0.08 seconds.
“He loves to go fast and loves to be dared and he’s so clever, he helps me out when I get us into trouble, just takes over and says, ‘I’ve got this,’ he tries so hard,” said Newcastle-upon-Tyne-based Holly. “He’s got the mind of a 12.2hh pony in the body of a 16.2hh.”
Carquois joined Holly almost five years ago.
“He’d done very little so we started at the bottom and worked our way up and he just got better and better. We call him ‘The Turbo Cob’ – we have no idea on his breeding but he’s quite a chunk and possibly has Clydesdale in there somewhere, but he’s quick and runs on pure adrenalin in the ring,” said Holly, who has contended the NAF Five Star Bronze League Final at HOYS twice.
“It will be nice to step up and try for the Silver League and I’m hoping we qualify this year, he definitely deserves it. At home, he turns into a happy hacker; no jumping or schooling, just a couple of hours in the paddock each day and I ride one, lead one for hours on a hack. A show is work time and he enjoys his job, but home is chill time.”
Samantha Borthwick guided Casanova VIII into second place and Laura Hutt filled third spot on Independence Day.
Richmond Equestrian Centre – Sunday, 28 May 2023
NAF Five Star Summer Silver League Qualifier
1st Holly Johnstone & Carquois De Ceve – 0/0/0 - 37.63 seconds
2nd Samantha Borthwick & Casanova VIII – 0/0/0 - 37.71 seconds
3rd Laura Hutt & Independence Day – 0/0/0 - 39.41 seconds
NB: Results pending official grading.
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