Nicole Lockhead Anderson logs another victory with rising star Mecoblue PS
Saturday 22 June 2024
.jpg "Nicole Lockhead Anderson logs another victory with rising star Mecoblue PS")
Two years into their partnership, Nicole Lockhead Anderson is starting to see the spoils of her efforts with the eight-year-old Mecoblue PS, who she rides for owners Thomas Williams and Gestut Lewitz.
Today, they added victory in the 57-strong Plumpton Racecourse Derby Two Phase to a 2024 tally that includes a 1.40m victory at Royal Windsor last month.
“I'm so happy with him - he's such a lovely horse,” said Nicole, who won on a time of 33.03sec ahead of second-placed Sally Goding and Spring Willow, who finished on 33.81sec.
Nicole and Mecoblue have forged a partnership and a deep trust in one another, which has helped the rider to coax winning performances out of him, despite his tendency to be rather shy.
“He's a bit of a special character, but I seem to get along really well with him – I'm very lucky to ride him,” she said. “He's a bit nervous, but he just he gives me the feeling he could jump the biggest of courses, and that makes my job very easy.”
Once in the buzz of the main arena, though, Mecoblue had no nerves at all – instead, his focus was wholly on the fences.
“It’s a big atmosphere here, and an amazing arena to be in, and he just seems to thrive. He loves it. I think it's such a big arena that I can just ride really forward, and he's really, really careful, so I never have to worry. I just kept daring him, and he just loved it.”
The Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting runs from 20-23 June at Hickstead in West Sussex. Tickets are available at the gate or can be booked online at www.hickstead.co.uk. All the action from the International Arena will be livestreamed on ClipMyHorse.TV and Hickstead.TV.
Image credit: Boots and Hooves Photography
.jpg "Will Fletcher leads the way as a host of winning Brits took over week 5 on the Andalucia Sunshine Tour in Spain in this week’s international round-up")
