Lucy Wiegersma’s top ride Simon Porloe for sale

Event rider Lucy Wiegersma’s top ride, Simon Porloe — who was the British team’s first reserve for the 2012 Olympics — is for sale for a “very substantial sum”.

Lucy told H&H she was “disappointed”. “I don’t expect to keep the ride. If I could, it would be wonderful,” she added.

Christopher and Sarita Perkins’ 12-year-old Polish-bred gelding won the CIC*** at Barroca, Portugal, in March. He was third at Barbury CIC*** in July and seventh at Pau CCI**** in 2011.

“Simon didn’t start eventing until he was eight and I think his best is yet to come,” said Lucy.

Simon is advertised as a “very easy horse to ride” and a “live contender for the 2013 Badminton title and beyond”.

Owner Sarita Perkins told H&H that the decision to sell had been a “difficult” one.

“But we like seeing our horses improve and enjoy going to many of the smaller events,” she said. “We look forward to working with Lucy with another young horse.”

Lucy said the sale of Simon meant that she was facing a “lean period”.

“I lost Woodfalls Inigo Jones this season, because he broke down very badly,” she said.

The horse damaged a tendon on the cross-country at Barbury.

Lucy added: “I still have Granntevka Prince [her 2009 Blenheim winner] but, apart from him, the next horse I have is seven and doing intermediates.”

Simon Porloe was withdrawn after the cross-country at Blenheim CCI*** in September, after sustaining a cut on his forearm that needed stitches.

He is now back in work at the Wiegersmas’ yard in Beaworthy, Devon.

For more information visit www.acquilaequestrian.com.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (8 November 2012)

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