A Winning Comeback

Lara Booth from Reading was delighted with her BE80 (T) win at Ascott Under Wychwood after her 11-year-old gelding Sir Afron was diagnosed with Navicular over two years ago.

 

When Afron was diagnosed Lara didn't think that she would be eventing him again but after being given the all clear just a few months ago they have made great comeback in winning their first event since 2007.

 

For the last two years Lara and Afron have been focussing on their dressage, not only have they achieved some good results at Novice British Dressage competitions but it also put them in good stead at Ascott Under Wychwood where they gained an excellent mark of just 22. Lara also said that she felt all of the flatwork had help with Afron’s show jumping, as he is now much stronger behind and more balanced.

 

Just happy to be back eventing again Lara had no expectations which made her win even more special ‘it was a lovely event, really well organised, Afron felt so happy to be going cross country again and didn’t look at anything’

 

Not to look a gift horse in the mouth Lara is planning on getting the most out of the rest of the season and has already entered for the BE90 at Little Mattingly at the end of the month.

Trained by Liza Faircloth Lara has to fit riding in around her full time job although she said she is lucky as she works from home a lot of the time and so can turn up in her jodhpurs with no one minding!

 

The BE80 (T) class was hugely popular and the event ran three sections in total on the Sunday. Section H was won by Michelle Lawrence and Chester XII on a final score of 28.5, there good dressage score of 24.5 meant that could afford to have a pole down in the show jumping and remain in first place, adding no jumping or time penalties from their cross country round. Michelle and Chester had competed in the same class at the event in June but unfortunately had one stop cross-country so their win this time proved that that was all behind them.

 

Section J was won by Nicole Biggs and her 9 year old gelding First Impression in what was their first event together as a combination. Nicole also has two other horses to compete, Pzazz and Kharnabbey Street who are both at Novice level. Nicole and First Impression will be competing in another BE80 (T) at Little Mattingly and she will then be heading to West Wilts with her other two horses for the Novice class.

 

For the full results from Ascott Under Wychwood click here