Dressage youngsters take top scores at Tall Trees Futurity

Potential dressage horses stood top of the Baileys Horse Feeds/British Breeding/British Equestrian Federation Futurity evaluations at Tall Trees last Wednesday (29 August).

Five elite premiums were awarded across the dressage, eventing and show jumping sections, with a further 12 higher first premiums across all sections. An elite premium indicates that a young horse has the outlook and potential to perform at international level competition.

The top score of the day went to dressage colt foal Fandango, earning an elite premium score of 9.30 for owner and breeder Penny Podmore of the Brownscombe Stud near Exeter.

Fandago is by Fontainebleau out of Dimond Dinah by the renowned dressage stallion De Niro. “Sadly Fontainbleau died in the spring so it made the result with Fandango even more special,” said Penny.

Wasimah, the highest scoring yearling, was the second dressage elite premium of the day with a score of 9.02. The filly is by Woodlander Wavavoom out of Davids Rosie by Shaab. She is owned and bred by Andrew Reeve. “I was over the moon with Wasimah’s result. I’ve been breeding for 35 years and it’s a real reward and great recognition to have scored so highly,” said Andrew. Wasimah scored a higher first premium as a foal in 2011.

The top eventer was the colt foal Will.i.am, who is owned and bred by Sally Hillier. He earned an elite premium score of 9.02. Will.i.am is by the Hannoverian stallion Wolkenderry out of Sabrina by Havidoff.

“The Futurity was absolutely wonderful, from the organisation through to the comments by the evaluators. I had an excellent day topped with an excellent result,” said Sally.

Colt foal, For-Sure, was the highest scoring showjumper, earning the fourth Elite premium with a score of 9.00. Owned and bred by Marilyn Pilgrim, he is by For-Ever out of Devilishous by Devils Jump.

Jean England’s gelding, The Ginger Genie, was the highest scoring two-year-old with an elite premium score of 9.00 in the eventing section. He is by Parkmore Master Irish out of Red Spirit.

The top scoring three-year-old of the day was Vorvashill Chicago Flame, who earned a higher first premium with a score of 8.77 in the showjumping section. The colt is owned and bred by Kari Christopher from the Vorvashill Stud. He is by Broadstone Chicago out of Last Flame by Dutch Falco.

The Yawl Hill Stud produced the top endurance youngster, Yawl Hill Big Yin, who earned a first premium with a score of 8.39. The colt foal is bred by Kirsty Wiscombe and owned jointly with Alicia Jauffret. He is by Yawl Hillbilly out of Connie by Al Mansour.

Amy Cox’s filly foal, Tinkerbell, was the highest scoring sports pony, earning a higher first premium with a score of 8.60 in the dressage section. The chestnut is by Benwode Brokat out of Pretty Women by Black Boy.

The BEF’s head of equine development, Jan Rogers, said: “The Futurity continues to grow and be shaped by feedback we receive and is developing into an assessment the British horse world recognises as a valuable indicator of future performance talent.”

For further information on the BEF Futurity Evaluations, visit www.britishbreeding.org

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