Kieran Taylor lands victory in the SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier on Cocochristy at South View Equestrian Centre’s Winter Classic
Monday 17 February 2025
Kieran Taylor’s late round effort secured victory in the SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier on Cocochristy at South View Equestrian Centre’s Winter Classic in Cheshire.
“I’m very pleased with her, she’s got a lot of heart, a big stride and just a bit of sass,” said Kieran, 18, who will make his first visit to the Royal International, Hickstead, since competing on ponies.
Course-designer Gillian Milner set a 12-fence track with a start height of 1.10m for the 46 competitors forward, with exactly half posting initial clear rounds to qualify for the jump-off.
An on-form Thomas Pritchard – already with two wins under his belt – looked set to dominate the SEIB Winter Novice here, claiming three of the top four places two thirds of the way through the jump-off, but late daring challenges edged ahead.
With just five left to jump, Kieran skilfully executed every tight turn option on Cocochristy and, maintaining a smooth rhythm, pushed on to the final vertical to snatch the lead.
“I watched a few of the early riders taking out a stride to the oxer after the double and knew I could trust her to do the same. She jumped in a lovely rhythm all the way round, I just had to keep rolling to the last so I could take out two strides and trust her to pick up,” said Kieran.
It wasn’t in the bag as Tom Dovkants immediately gave it his best shot, slipping the six-year-old Bonita 1 (Galerius x Classe VDL) into second place 0.44 seconds in arrears. Thomas Pritchard, now in third, fourth (Orah) and sixth (Otto’s BB), claimed the third qualifying place to the coveted Royal International Final at Hickstead in July on the six-year-old Orovito (Chacgrano x Comme Il Faut).
The six-year-old mare Cocochristy (Christian 25 x Londontimes), who joined Kieran unbroken, has finished fourth twice in this class this winter season, just missing out on qualification, but finally earned their just rewards with a win.
“We already had her sister and, although the breeders didn’t really want to sell her, we managed to come to an agreement and bought her. We’ve broken her in and produced her, she’s so kind and loves cuddles,” said Kieran, who also thought of his team behind the scenes. “I’s like to thank everyone for their support, especially my main sponsors Voltaire and Cheshire Stables.”
South View Winter Classic – 15 February 2025
SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier
1st Kieran Taylor & Cocochristy – 0/0 33.66
2nd Tom Dovkant & Bonita 1 – 0/0 34.10
3rd Thomas Pritchard & Orovito – 0/0 34.76
NB Results pending final grading
Image: Phil Hillier
