Gemma McKay lands the Equiyd National Major Veteran Championship with Rose Du Capitaine
Sunday 16 November 2025
Gemma McKay used tight lines and risked a gallop to the final oxer to secure victory in the Equiyd National Major Veteran Championship with Rose Du Capitaine at the Equiyd National Amateur and Veteran Championships.
“I’ve been coming here since day one – it’s my favourite venue – the atmosphere is electric and she was amazing, this was the first time I have turned her up against the clock and she loved it, the bigger the atmosphere, the more she psyches herself up to it and has such a good brain,” said Gemma.
Six competitors qualified for the jump-off over course-designer Mark McGowan’s 1.10m track – which caught out several on time faults – with two rides claimed by Samantha Livesey Gaynon, who led the way from the front on Nureyev C. Until Gemma smoothly angled fences on tight lines to slash the time by 2.66 seconds and take the class.
“She’s really come into her own this year; she’s only 15.3hh but has a massive stride. I bought her to produce for myself so I’ve always taken things slowly and didn’t move her up until she was ready, but she’s grown up so much this year after competing at Bolesworth and Chepstow,” said Gemma, who purchased the Mylord Carthago x Captain Clover eight-year-old from her Irish breeder Eilis Healey a little over three years ago.
Gemma (nee Dennis) is no stranger to success; in her pony days she won European Pony Championship medals with the famous Strawberry Mojo.
“I’ve always been partial to mares since my Mojo days, she’s the one that started my love for mares – if you gel with a mare they will always go above and beyond for you and give that bit extra,” added Gemma, who will now give ‘Rose Bud’ a break until after Christmas before targeting the Winter Classic series and qualifying for the Blue Chip Calming qualifier, while the big aim for 2026 is the HOYS Silver League.
Equiyd Amateur and Veteran Championship, Aintree Equestrian Centre
Major Veteran Championship
1st - Gemma Mckay & ROSE DU CAPITAINE 0/0 36.19
2nd - Samantha Livesey Gaynon & NUREYEV C 0/0 38.85
3rd - Joanne Carlin & MIGHTY MOUSE D’ILENA 0/0 39.27
Image: Majestic Photography
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