Fleetwater Opposition progeny top Pavo four-year-olds

Ruth Edge took top spot in the four-year-old class at today’s Pavo British Eventing Breeding Championships, riding Elite Opposition.

Elite Opposition was bred by his owner, Pauline Fletcher, and is by Fleetwater Opposition (pictured), the Trakehner stallion who stood at the Landford Common Stud until he died in 2005.

Ruth had to do her dressage and show jumping in the worst of the very wet weather, but said: “It didn’t deter him at all – he’s a real show horse and knows he has to do the job.”

Landford Common Stud boss Johnny Johnston’s daughter, Kirsty, was second on another son of Fleetwater Opposition, Opposition Detective.

In the five-year-old class Sam Penn won on Pokeys Bally Milo, by the deceased Thoroughbred stallion More Pokey.

“He’s evil in the stable, but if you put a bridle on and bring him out he’s lovely,” said Sam.

Pippa Funnell was victorious in the six-year-old section on the chestnut Redesigned, who is by the Olympic show jumper Carnute and belongs to the Lincolns, who own Primmore’s Pride.

“He’s nice-natured, willing and obedient – he’s got an old head on young shoulders,” said Denise Lincoln.

Read a full report on the Breeding Championships, including more on these horses’ breeding and colour photographs, in next week’s Horse & Hound (18th October).

RESULTS

Four-year-olds

1. Elite Opposition (Ruth Edge)
2. Opposition Detective (Kirsty Johnston)
3. Shannondale Titan (Gemma Hall)

Five-year-olds

1. Pokeys Bally Milo (Sam Penn)
2. Para Ti (Caroline Smith)
3. Billy Landretti (Pippa Funnell)

Six-year-olds

1. Redesigned (Pippa Funnell)
2. Cool Diamond (Bumble Thomas)
3. Neuf Des Coeurs (William Fox-Pitt)

• For details of how to join the Event Horse Owners Association visit: www.ehoa.orgThe EHOA will be holding it’s annual dinner and awards night at the Inner Temple central London on Thursday 1 November. The guest speaker this year is Richard Waygood. For tickets contact Monika Hunt (tel: 07802 498786) or email: monika@monikahunt.co.uk

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Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.