Image left: Laura Wollen
and Buddy, image credit
Eva-Maria Broomer
the Novice Open and coming second
in the 5 year old class behind Charlotte.
Jessica takes us through the journey she
has had with her mare and her plans
and hopes for the future; ‘‘we have been
together now about 18 months. We
bought her originally from Holland
last year after I decided to come home
from my 3yrs training in Germany to
set up a competition yard in England.
My good friends and now sponsors , the
Keenan Family/Keenans Estate Agents/
Keenans Equestrian Homes, had a yard
that they were willing to rent out. They
have the same passion for horses that
I have. Princess Fifi is 5 by Sorento out
of a Ferro Dam line. I co-own her with
the Keenan Family. We won the 5yr old
class at our first major show this year
at Myerscough Premier League. We
also achieved a second and two thirds
at Somerford Premier League behind
Charlotte Dujardin and qualified within
two outings for the Summer Regionals,
she was second at the Summer Regionals
at Port Royal and then obviously had a
successful National Championships! I
am aiming her at being a top class Grand
Prix horse as she has incredible talent
and attitude. I will not be rushing her up
the levels nor do I plan on campaigning
her tirelessly for any more young horse
classes. I plan on qualifying her for each
level for Winter/Summer Nationals but
the main aim is much further down the
line.’’
Continuing to explain how grateful
and appreciative Jess is of the Keenan
Family’s support throughout, she said; ‘‘I
am hugely grateful to the Keenan Family
for their continued support both
personally and professionally
and their faith in my training
with the mare and others that
they own’’
Taking the TopSpec sponsored
Medium Restricted title was
Jayne Turney with Tom (Cruz
111) a 14.1hh 6yr old gelding
by Caesar 171. Tom, owned
by personal friend Charlotte
Dujardin, has been with Jayne
for 3 years since breaking him in
as a 3 year old; ‘‘I feel privileged
to have had the chance to work
with such a talented pony. He won
the Novice Championship last year,
masterfully ridden by Phoebe Peters.
This was my first time competing at the
Nationals so to score over 70% and win
is just a dream come true!! I spent the
last week prior to the champs training
with Charlotte who was just amazing!
I could never have done it without her
help and support!”
Zoe Sleigh and Dark Legend then
went on to win the Equine Construction
Advanced Medium Open scoring over
72% with the 8 year old Hanoverian
gelding (Duino x Londonderry). After
buying Dark Legend from Germany as
a 2 year old alongside Christine Sleigh,
Zoe admits he is finally growing up
after being a very ‘hot horse’. As it has
taken time for him to mature
this year has been his first for
serious competition. The pair
are training PSG/Inter I at home
and hope to compete Small Tour
next year and continue to work
towards Grand Prix. A very
pleased Zoe went on to say this
about their performance; ‘‘I am
really pleased how he behaved
at the Nationals, he did a nice
consistent test with some great
extensions, lateral work and
changes. It was a very long day
having been drawn first so I was
very happy that we were able to
hold on to the lead!’’ Overall, a
very successful show with some
fantastic performances.
Image left: Zoe Sleigh
and Dark Legend,
image credit Sara-Jane
Lanning
November 2015 • Issue 26 • Everything Horse Magazine
9