Leo Lamb and Gmail secure their finalist place in the UNIBED – High Performance Equine Bedding Winter B and C at Hartpury University’s Winter Classic
Saturday 23 December 2023
Leo Lamb and his mother Carron Nicole’s eye-catching, super-consistent Gmail landed the UNIBED – High Performance Equine Bedding Winter Grades B and C qualifier at Hartpury University’s Winter Classic in Gloucestershire.
“I went a bit faster than I should have done; I knew I’d won as we galloped through the finish even though I was first to go in the jump-off,” said Leo.
Twenty-seven keen riders came forward over course-designers Krissy Spiller and Paul Connor’s 12-fence 1.35m track and 13 answered every question to return for the jump-off against the clock, an on-form Leo claiming two of the rides.
Considered the short straw by some, Leo embraced his opening draw on the super-careful and highly-rated Gmail – who impressed in the summer by qualifying for no less than three Horse of the Year Show [HOYS] Finals at the David Broome Event Centre. Taking the first fence at an angle, Leo maintained his fast but controlled pace, taking on tight turns and, with a flourishing gallop the length of the arena at the final fence, flew over the oxer to secure the top spot with 0.24 seconds to spare.
“Going first, I knew I would have to do something special as only two qualify for Hickstead but I hadn’t intended to go that fast! I certainly took a few strides out to the last fence but he loves going fast and the more you dare him, the higher he goes,” said Leo. “Mum wasn’t too happy – ‘What are you doing? You went that fast you think you’re the new Nicole Lockhead Anderson!’ she said.”
The seven-year-old Gmail – who boasts the fabulous showjumping bloodlines of Cornet Obolensky x Diamant De Semilly – was bought by Carron in Belgium as a youngster with the grey gelding joining Leo’s string of horses 20 months ago. Leo credits his ‘Horse of a Lifetime’ for putting him on the showjumping map.
“He’s had a two-month break since HOYS and this was only his second show back. He popped around a Foxhunter and finished second in a 1.35m at his first show and I jumped him in the Foxhunter here as a warm-up for the B and C,” said Leo, who found the handsome grey still fresh and exuberant on day two – “He does love to have a little buck when he’s feeling well; the more he jumps the better he behaves.”
Ryan Page jumped the Elvis Ter Putte x Iroko eight-year-old BP KO Jax into second place to gain his coveted Royal International ticket to the Final at Hickstead.
Hartpury University Winter Classic – 22 December
UNIBED – High Performance Equine Bedding Grades B&C qualifier
1st Leo Lamb & Gmail 0/0 36.32 - seconds
2nd Ryan Page & BP Ko Jax – 0/0 - 37.56 seconds
3rd Adam Ellery & Kai Chic – 0/0 - 38.37 seconds
NB: Results pending official grading.
Image: courtesy Jasmine Punter Photography
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