Meet ‘Nigella Awesome’ — the horse with a heart condition defying the odds [VIDEO]

Chloe Spencer’s Nightjar — “Nigel” to his friends, “Nigella Awesome” to his loved ones — is out to prove that amateur dressage riders should never give up

Nigel, a 15-year-old, 17hh gelding bred to jump (by Pouchka III), was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat in 2010. He collapsed during treatment, recovered but went on to tear both hind suspensories, recovered again only for the heart irregularity to return, and still achieved Chloe’s goal of making it to the winter dressage championships for the first time in April 2014.

Find out how working rider Chloe manages her gelding’s condition, what it’s like to have your winter dressage championship debut, and how Chloe and Nigel got on at the show in the following video:

Don’t miss Horse & Hound’s full report and pictures from the winter dressage championships in next week’s issue — out 14 April

Sarah Jenkins

H&H editor-in-chief

Sarah has more than 20 years experience as an equestrian journalist and editor. She has reported from major championships including the Europeans and the World Equestrian Games. She has co-written books on equestrianism including The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. Sarah has ridden since childhood, owned horses and ponies for over 25 years, and worked for and trained with Olympic gold medallist event rider Leslie Law prior to going to university.