EVENTING NEWS
Pic by Lucy Hall
Francis Whitting and Evento, The Dodson & Horrell British Novice Champions, left to right: Zara Tindall, Francis Whittington, Evento, his owner, Sarah Arrowsmith, his groom, Sharon Mepham and John Horrell from Dodson & Horrell
Evento wins The Dodson & Horrell British Novice Championship at The Festival of British Eventing, presented by the British Equestrian Trade Association Gatcombe Park, Gloucestershire • Friday 5th to Sunday 7th August 2016 Christmas time last year, I took my 87-yearold, fairly non-horsey mother to watch Francis school Evento. She now refers to him as her “beautiful dancing pony”, because he spent most of his time leaping through the air and throwing himself around the school! Fortunately, a combination of growingup and Francis’s skill gave us a lovely weekend in Ireland in the spring, where he was third in the CCI1* at Ballindenisk, qualifying for Gatcombe. His preparation was interrupted as he tore off a shoe and a chunk of foot with it, but all was fine on the day. He did a lovely test and was lying fifth after dressage, but an unlucky pole show jumping knocked him down to twelfth overnight. As we, my partner Chris and our Labrador puppy Truffle, drove up to Gloucestershire from Kent on Saturday morning we were discussing how lovely it would be if he could pull up a couple of places and get a rosette. The cross country was huge and very hilly. Everyone was getting time faults, but Francis and Evento flew round, with the fastest time of the day and leapt up the leader board into first. We had a nail-biting hour or so, as there were plenty of people who could have
Francis Whittington and Evento jumped the fastest clear cross-country to win the Dodson & Horrell Novice Championship
beaten us, but no one else could go as fast as Evento and Francis. Evento and I were out having a walk around and some grass in the park when Sam, Francis’s wife, texted us to say he had had won. It was all the more exciting as it was totally unexpected for us, although I think Francis always had a plan! Evento came home fit and happy. His immediate aims are a couple of intermediates then the 2* back at Gatcombe in September. We may then go to Osberton for the Young Horse Championships. Francis thinks very highly of him, so who knows what he can do. I just want him to stay sound and happy.”
Pic by Nigel Goddard
W
e are more familiar seeing Sarah Arrowsmith’s name featured in Localrider as a competitor than an owner. In 2013 she completed Badminton Grassroots with her great campaigner Cormac Macairt and currently competes her six-year-old Brother Bertie in BE100 and BE100 Plus sections around the South East. However, she was at The Festival of British Eventing, presented by the British Equestrian Trade Association, as owner of the striking seven-year-old Evento, who was steered home clear in a cracking crosscountry time by Francis Whittington to win The Dodson & Horrell British Novice Championship. Stars of the future have often shone in the Dodson & Horrell Novice Championship at Gatcombe Park, with many going on to glittering four-star careers. Francis’s previous four-star horse Sir Percival III finished second in in the Novice Championship in 2004 and we look forward to following Evento’s progress over the coming years. Talking after the event Sarah said; “We bought Evento from Ian Woodhead at DHI Event Horses in 2014. Although he is extremely cuddly and kind on the ground, he has always been a handful to ride. At 46 Localrider SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
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