So whilst it might not be the big shindig we are all used to, Christmas has galloped around the corner, presents are wrapped and there’s just the exclusive bubble to finalise…
Most of us are probably somewhat thankful to see the back of this year to be honest, so my mind has already turned towards the countdown to next season and all the stars I am eagerly awaiting to see once again. Can you believe its only 12 weeks to Oasby 1 (not that I’m counting or anything… who am I kidding, of course I’m counting!)
Whilst the biggest treat for next year is arguably the belated Tokyo Olympics, there’s stars to be enjoyed on these shores too, with or without Tokyo.
Here are my Ones to Watch in 2021:
Izilot DHI
Ros Canter has a delight of riches tucked up in her barn and the gorgeous Isaac is one likely destined for the top. An uncharacteristic blip at Le Lion in the 7 year old World Championships will soon be forgotten after a very successful 2020, winning the CCI2*L at Burgham and placing at CCI3*S at Cornbury. I am looking forward to Isaac tackling a 3*L and hopefully stepping up to Advanced later in the season.
Ros Canter and the exciting IZILOT DHI tackle the Intermediate track at Cholmondeley Horse Trials, August 2020
Thorsberton Graduates
British Young Horse 7 Year Champions: Tom Jackson & HH Moonwalk on their way to victory at Thoresberton, October 2020
Osberton may have temporarily re-badged as Thoresberton in 2020, but the stand-in venue was a huge success with owners and riders. The 7 year old British Young Horse Champion HH Moonwalk and 6 year old British Young Horse Champion Cooley Goodwood both look stars in the making. The talented son of Ivento is definitely one to keep an eye on. Tom Jackson has been quietly producing the rising 8 year old who can post some impressive scores on the flat.
Piggy’s talented string need little introduction and the striking dapple grey gelding Cooley Goodwood aka Kiwi is certainly very talented, sired by OBOS Quality 004.
British Young Horse 6 Year Champions: Piggy March & Cooley Goodwood on their way to victory at Thoresberton, October 2020
Making the leap to 5*?
The diminutive Pencos Crown Jewel, known affectively as Jasmine, though she may be little, she is fierce. This little unassuming starlet has quietly been bought up through the ranks. A very uncharacteristic tumble at Burgham, hasn’t dented her fabulous record in 2020, with a placing at Burnham Market International CCI4*L class. She sadly didn’t join me in Pau this year, but I think a debut in the 5* club is definitely in the pipeline for 2021 and I can’t wait. Ros and Jasmine have such a partnership cross country, a pleasure to watch.
Ros Canter & Pencos Crown Jewel, Cholmondeley Horse Trials, August 2020
Blenheim’s 8&9 year old class has long been a happy hunting ground for talent and whilst this year we may have been at Blenheim-on-Sea aka Burnham Market, there was just as much talent on display in the feature class. The uber-talented Banzai du Loir took victory in the prestigious class with Yasmin Ingham aboard and what a future this pair have ahead of them. A great partnership that hopefully will be stepping up to 4*L and maybe even 5* in 2021. This pair have Paris 2024 on their mind, so watch this space.
Yasmin Ingham & Banzai du Loir on their way to victory in the Fairfax Saddles 8&9 Year Old CCI4*S, Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International Horse Trials, September 2020
Cooley Rosalent
Whilst its true that Oliver Townend has arguably the most talented stable of stars, he has an exiting mare in Le Lion 6 Year Old runner-up, Cooley Rosalent. The striking dapple grey mare has been so consistent this year, only finishing outside the top 6 once all year, winning on 3 occasions, including the CCI2*S at Burgham International Horse Trials. Definitely one to watch next year, with hopefully a return to Le Lion on the cards come the Autumn to hopefully go one better than this year.
Oliver Townend & Le Lion runner-up Cooley Rosalent, Aston le Walls 3 Horse Trials, July 2020
Talking of Le Lion, my heart broke for Tom and the team when MHS Brown Jack had the final rail down in the showjumping phase, after leading from the outset. This talented OBOS Quality 004 gelding has been a delight to watch this season, winning the CCI2*S at Wellington International and placing at Cornbury at the same level.
Tom McEwen & MHS Brown Jack, Cornbury House International Horse Trials, September 2020
Let’s hope that with a partial season successfully carried out under COVID restrictions, the limited crowds now back on racecourses and the hope that the vaccine will deliver on its hopes; we get some home 5* delights next year. There was a big Badminton and Burghley shaped hole in my year!
Alex Bragg & Zagreb, Les 5 Etoiles de Pau, October 2020
I’m hopefully we see some of the young Brit talent on display at Pau come to tackle these fabled courses, along with the usual suspects. Zagreb went agonisingly close again at Pau to a victory.
Will 2021 bring more 5* success for Tom McEwen & Toledo de Kerser, pictured here at Les 5 Etoiles de Pau, October 2020
Toledo de Kerser put in a stellar performance, although whether he tackles Badminton en-route to the east remains to be seen. Things didn’t go to plan for evergreen Reve de Rouet, so I dearly hope we see him back at Badminton or Burghley. Ivar Gooden looked class around Little Downham, but you knew that he’d look even better at Badminton.
Sarah Bullimore & Reve de Rouet, Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International Horse Trials, September 2020
I am avidly watching the riders social media posts for snippets of new arrivals sneaking into their yards before the start of next season. There’s already a few I have my eye on. Laura Collett has an exciting arrival from the same yard as she sourced London 52 from, Camouflage and you can own a share of the rising 6 year old in 2021. (Check out EHOS for more info)
So that’s my watch list for 2021, who is on yours?
All that remains for what little is left of 2020 is to say a massive thank you for reading the blogs this weirdest of years, hope you’ve enjoyed them and I’ve managed to share some of the action with you along the way.
Wishing you a very happy Christmas, I do hope that you manage to enjoy the festive season with at least some of your nearest and dearest and that Santa puts a talented, well-bred 5 year old under all of our Christmas trees!
The first present is already under my tree and of course it’s from a horse. And people wonder why I prefer animals to humans lol!
Merry Christmas