VETERANS FEATURE Monty
It’s new beginnings for 17-year-old Monty, as he heads into his veteran years. His owner, Abigail Johnson, has just joined British Showjumping and the combination are competing at junior shows. This is Abigail’s last year in juniors, but hopefully it will be a good one, as they have already qualified for the Blue Chip and British Novice second rounds.
17
years old
Abigail has owned Monty for seven years. They are members of the Southdown East Pony Club and have represented them in a number of team competitions over the years. Abigail and Monty also plan to do some eventing in 2018.
Valiant Veterans
In this issue we celebrate readers’ veteran horses and ponies. Ranging in age from 16 to the oldest, Blondee, at 38, they have all led full and active lives. Some are relatively famous like this month’s cover star, Jana, who led the London New Year’s Day Parade or Sir Percival III, who regularly competed at Badminton and Burghley and had his own fan club. While others have taken on the role of schoolmaster, such as Nuffields Sir Peter Pan, who at the age of 29 has just taken on another new little jockey. Each has a different story to tell and we hope you enjoy reading about them, as much as we have.
Sir Percival III
21
Perhaps the most famous horse included in our veteran feature, is 21-year-old Sir Percival III, who is best known for his power and endurance across country when partnered with his former rider, Francis Whittington. From 2002 until 2013 the pair rose through the levels of British Eventing regularly competing at both Badminton and Burghley. When Percy retired after the 2013 season, Francis recommended to his owners, Maggie and Hen Paget, that he would find the perfect new life with young rider Harriet Colderick. Percy will have been with Harriet four years in March.
years old
Harriet said: “Percy looks amazing and still loves his work. I think he’s a perfect example of how veterans can carry on well into old age and Percy is still as enthusiastic as ever. He really loves to work, so has been kept busy with dressage, combined training and hunter trial outings. We live on the Ashdown Forest, so spend loads of time out hacking as well as heading to the beach when we can. He is such a character and certainly hasn’t lost any of his spark. Percy took to a slightly quieter life very well, he settled immediately and seems to be thriving with the little bits of work he is doing. He is such a joy to have on the yard and whilst he is still enjoying work I will continue to keep him up and running and out competing. His owners Maggie and Hen Paget pop in to see him when they can and Francis has come over and hacked him out. You certainly wouldn’t believe he was 21, he will forever be a 10-year-old in his head!”
Nannini
Carli and Nannini competing at Munstead in 2017, where they won on a dressage score of 26.5
23
years old
Carli and Nannini won the Veteran class and stood Ridden Champions at Jenkey Farm in 2017.
Pics by Quantum Photographic and Spidge Photography
Carli Kent has owned the now 23-year-old Nannini for 16 years and over that time have done a bit of everything, but the pair particular love eventing. Something they continue to love and enjoy, competing to BE90 level. 2017 saw the pair competing in their first veteran showing classes with the SSADL Society. They came fourth at the Heathfield Show and third at Kent County. Carli would like to concentrate on veteran showing in 2018 and she says the dream is to reach the SSADL Olympia final. They will also be doing some British Showjumping competitions and one-day events, as Nannini loves crosss-country. 28 Localrider FEBRUARY 2018
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