Nicole Greensmith negotiates the tightest turns to take victory in the NAF Five Star Summer Bronze League Qualifier at Richmond Equestrian Centre
Tuesday 30 May 2023
Nicole Greensmith took the first step to Horse of the Year Show by winning the NAF Five Star Summer Bronze League Qualifier at Richmond Equestrian Centre in North Yorkshire, with Billy Huckleberry, a horse she bought unseen from a video.
“We bought him in February 2022 after my mum Michelle spotted him on a video. I was pregnant at the time so I couldn’t try him but we took the gamble,” said county Durham-based Nicole. “My son was born by C-Section so I wasn’t able to ride until the middle of March but it worked out well; my dad Anthony and my partner Gareth have been very supportive and mum is the best groom and waggon driver!”
A total of 49 competitors came forward over course-designer Tracey Strangeways’ 12-fence 1.05m track with 30 of them posting initial clears. These were halved to 15 for the final jump-off. Nicole was confident on the Billy Congo x Mark Twain XX 14-year-old and dared a risky, ultra-tight inside turn to the last to secure the win by a handsome 3.17 seconds.
“At first, I thought I couldn’t do it, but we jumped two clears and I went into the jump-off with positive thoughts. He [Huckleberry] can be quirky and spin in the warm-up. You have to be on your toes and be the boss, but he’s brave, honest and knows his job and no-one else did that turn,” said Nicole.
Danny Nicholson steered Lahorna Lassie into second and Timothy Craggs claimed third place on Carrickadawson Candy.
Richmond Equestrian Centre – Saturday, 27 May 2023
NAF Five Star Summer Bronze League Qualifier
1st Nicole Greensmith & Billy Huckleberry – 0/0/0 - 34.23 seconds
2nd Danny Nicholson & Lahorna Lassie – 0/0/0 37.40 seconds
3rd Timothy Craggs & Carrickadawson Candy – 0/0/0 37.43 seconds
NB: Results pending official grading.
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