Nicole Pavitt lands the Prestige Italia Big Star National 6-year-old Championship with Cornet of Follyfoot
Sunday 06 August 2023
.jpg "Nicole Pavitt lands the Prestige Italia Big Star National 6-year-old Championship with Cornet of Follyfoot")
Two and half weeks ago, Nicole Pavitt was set a challenge. Owner Sally Jobson-Scott wanted Cornet of Follyfoot to qualify for the Prestige Italia Big Star National 6-year-old final.
“Sally’s horse Muna VD Bisschop was second here a few years ago, it was her ambition to have another one in the final. There was only one qualifier left at Arena UK, it was a big ask but he jumped a super treble clear and we were through to the final,” said Nicole, who pulled the win out of the bag in a strong seven-horse decider.
It was a double whammy, not only did Nicole meet her challenge with success, she is also a sponsored rider for Prestige Italia and rides in their ‘Paris’ saddles – “They fit like a glove and are so comfortable, I feel so connected in them.”
Sixteen elite 6-year-olds came forward to face the first round of three over a 12-fence 1.30m course designed by Jason Abbs, Ben Townley and Peter Allen with 10 posting initial clears. The raised track reduced them down to seven for a jump-off over a now substantial course.
Carron Nicol set the standard with the opening round on the scopey stallion Rockdale Dwerse Hagen but Millie Dickinson was slightly quicker on FS Warriors Quest to edge into the lead by 0.55 seconds. Her lead was short-lived.
Nicole was up for the challenge to go one better than Sally’s Muna’s second place several years ago and she was on form after winning the Newcomers Masters with Cornet 24 hours earlier. She meant business from the off, trusting the son of Cornet Obolensky to back off the tall verticals and relying on his immense scope at the oxers and wiped an incredible 6.32 seconds off the time to record a commanding victory.
“He has such a level head, a super temperament and such a good, level canter, it is so easy to get a stride with him, I turn a corner and there it is,” said Nicole. “He is the most consistent horse I’ve ever had; he jumps the jumps and I just have to do the bit in between.”
British Showjumping National Championships – 6 August, 2023
Prestige Italia Big Star National 6-year-old Championship
1st Nicole Pavitt & Cornet of Follyfoot – 0/0/0 35.27 seconds
2nd Millie Dickinson & FS Warriors Quest – 0/0/0 41.69 seconds
3rd Carron Nicol & Rockdale Dwerse Hagen – 0/0/0 42.24 seconds
Image: Nicole Pavitt & Cornet of Follyfoot Credit 1st Class Images
Prestige Italia is a leading company in the manufacturing and distribution of high-quality saddles. Innovation and MADE IN ITALY are the key pillars that make Prestige saddles the essence of quality, reliability, and functionality. Through experienced craftsmanship and a constant desire for technological improvement, their custom saddles are designed for the well-being of both horse and rider.
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