Louise Simpson makes a winning return to HOYS on catch ride Cornet of Follyfoot
Wednesday 04 October 2023
.jpg "Louise Simpson makes a winning return to HOYS on catch ride Cornet of Follyfoot")
Louise Simpson last won at Horse of the Year Show seven years ago with the Grade C title on Hello Vivendi and this was her first visit since, but she made it a winning one in the Newcomers Championship with Sally Jobson-Scott’s Cornet of Follyfoot. She kept it in the family, deputising for her sister Nicole Pavitt, sidelined 10 days ago by a broken collarbone.
“I got a last-minute phone call to go to Arena UK and sat on him for the first time but he’s so easy and straightforward, it feels like you’re riding a pro,” said Louise.
Twenty-one competitors faced a 1.35m track with eight answering all the questions to jump clear and qualify for the jump-off. The clears came thick and fast with six providing double clears to make it all about the clock.
Skilfully slicing into the corners at a deceptively fast pace, Louise incredibly wiped more three seconds off the leading time. Jack Whitaker came the closest on the 7-year-old Bonnie 1.26 seconds in arrears for second and Emily Ward filled third spot on her home-bred 7-year-old Wild Star HF (Big Star x Oklund).
“I sat on him again two days ago and this is the first time I’ve asked him to go fast but he has an amazing brain it’s like riding a 10-year-old,” said Louise, on the Cornet Obolensky x Quidam De Ravel reigning Prestige Italia Big Star 6-year-old champion and Newcomers Masters winner at the British Showjumping National Championships.
“It’s helped Nicole has done quite a few fast rounds in a jump-off with him, but he didn’t feel at all green in that atmosphere – there was no backward step he kept going forward. I couldn’t have had a better one for this class, I felt confident.”
It was also good news for Nicole, who underwent a successful operation earlier in the day – “Louise, you are simply amazing. I don’t know what is better, me getting my operation today or you, winning this!”
HOYS – 4 October, 2023
Senior Newcomers Championship
1st Louise Simpson & Cornet of Follyfoot – 0/0 - 31.43 seconds
2nd Jack Whitaker & Bonnie – 0/0 - 32.69 seconds
3rd Emily Ward & Wild Star HF – 0/0 - 34.62 seconds
Image: 1st Class Images
