Rachel Vicary and Tara Byrtt share the honours in the Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Second Round at Ponderosa Equestrian Centre
Wednesday 31 May 2023
.jpg "Rachel Vicary and Tara Byrtt share the honours in the Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Second Round at Ponderosa Equestrian Centre")
In an unusual result, Rachel Vicary on Cavalier Bravo and Tara Byrtt aboard My Little Miss Candy dead-heated to take equal first in the Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Second Round at Ponderosa Equestrian Centre in Newport, South Wales.
Thirty-two competitors initially contended the 1.05m course with 20 jumping clear rounds, these reduced to 16 for the third and final round against the clock. Rachel, on her first visit to Ponderosa – “It’s a lovely venue with inviting courses,” – was first off on Cavalier Bravo, an Irish-bred 9-year-old by FSS Corelli Bravo she bought three years ago.
“He’s very low mileage due to Covid and I wasn’t expecting to win, I was aiming for a triple clear so didn’t take all the inside options but kept on tight lines and he’s quick and careful,” said Rachel, who led all the way until Tara’s late draw. “Tara followed similar lines, but I couldn’t believe it when the clock stopped at exactly the same time.”
Crediton, Devon-based Rachel has spent time getting to know Cavalier Bravo.
“He’s quirky but misunderstood, I have to be sympathetic but firm with him at the same time. Once you understand him and get him on your side, he’ll try his best and he loves to win,” said Rachel. “I’m hoping to step him up to jump a few bigger tracks.”
Tara, who lives in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, and works full time as Project Manager for the Civil Service, was also mindful of achieving a triple clear for British Showjumping National Championships Final qualification. Again, she was not expecting to win.
“There were a couple of turns that were on but I needed that clear round and we both went the same route on naturally quick horses,” said Tara, who bought the Sligo Candy Boy x Sir Rivie six-year-old as an unbroken 4-year-old.
“She’s such a lovely mare and it’s so satisfying to have broken and produced her myself, all the hard work is paying off. I bought her as a project, but I can’t sell her, we have this bond. She’s sensitive but not mareish and we get each other.”
Ponderosa Equestrian Centre – Saturday, 27 May 2023
Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Second Round
1st eq. Rachel Vicary & Cavalier Bravo – 0/0/0 - 34.87 seconds
1st eq. Tara Byrtt & My Little Miss Candy – 0/0/0 - 34.87 seconds
3rd Natalie Hodge & Molotov II – 0/0/0 - 35.09 seconds
NB: Results pending official grading.
Image credit: Ponderosa Equestrian Centre
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