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Photos by SMR Photos
Jemma Wenman and Diamond Rambler
L
ouise Chamberlain, Jemma Wenman, and Jo Bates qualified for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) at the SEIB’s Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse 2016 qualifier held at Bury Farm Equestrian Centre in Slapton, Buckinghamshire on 3rd July.
Louise Chamberlain, 25, from Lambourn, rode her own horse, the thirteen-year-old Mystical Clover to a win in the riding club show horse class, securing her ticket to HOYS.
The pair have done some show jumping, gaining double clears in British Novice and Discovery classes, proving Rambo to be dual purpose. “I love showing. I am a bit of a perfectionist, and love that side of things,� Jemma says. Jemma, who works in administration for Mercedes Benz, plans to get out and about for some more practice before the finals, after solving an ongoing travel dilemma. “ We hired an indoor school to practise, but I had to hack for an hour to get there, and an hour home. We’ve now bought a lorry!�
Louise has owned the mare, by Clover Park, since she was a five-yearold, and the pair previously evented at novice level before retiring to focus on dressage and show jumping. Louise is a graphic designer and, appropriately, she is responsible for designing the 2016 HOYS advertisement. “We always thought she was a nice type, but you don’t know for sure until you try,� says Louise of her decision to try showing. “At home she is just like a Labrador – she has an amazing temperament, a real people’s horse. To win and qualify for HOYS is just amazing!� Jemma Wenman, 20, from Amersham, had already gained her qualification for the Horse of the Year Show at the Search for a Star qualifier at Houghton Hall, coming second with Diamond Rambler. She is thrilled to have taken the win this time in the working hunter section. Jemma has owned the 17.1hh bright bay gelding since February. “I wanted a show horse, but it had to be right. We drove 5 hours to see him but when I tried him I knew he was the one,� says a delighted Jemma. The big bay is by the Irish draught stallion, Bright Diamond, and out of an Irish sport horse mare. “Qualifying for HOYS is amazing and very exciting, but he is very chilled about it,� she says. “He loves to show off and likes having his photo taken.�
CHILTERN & THAMES RIDER
Jo Bates and Bang OnTrend
www.chilternrider.co.uk