Anthony Condon had the luck of the Irish on his side in the opening International Showjumping class on day three of Horse of the Year Show 2019, rising to the challenge to scoop the top prize. Navigating a tidy round aboard nine-year-old bay gelding, Vincomte, Anthony stole the lead from fellow competitor Emma Stoker to finish clear in a time of 22.86 seconds. With four riders left to jump, Anthony was not safe yet, but the tough two-phase course proved too much for anyone to knock Anthony off the top spot. Having won this class here in 2017 with Zira VH Kapelhof Z, Shropshire-based Anthony knew exactly what to expect at what is practically his ‘local’ show.
Vincomte, who is owned by Mrs Pat Hales and known as Scrunchie at home, is a new ride for Anthony this season having previously been competed by Laura Kraut. Anthony commented: “He was absolutely brilliant today. I saw some of the others go and they were fast so I knew it would be tough, but he has a nice big stride and covers the ground well. He’s a fantastic horse; he’s won some 1.50s this season and I think he’s going to be a good Grand Prix horse. Having only taken on the ride this year I am really using these classes to get to know him. Laura [Kraut] had him before and she’d done a fantastic job of producing him. He’s not an easy horse, he is full of character but I think all of the good ones have a spark about them.”
The International Showjumping classes continue this evening and over the weekend at Horse of the Year Show.
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Photo: HOYS