‘I fell in love within five minutes’: new owner – but same rider – for puissance superstar
Mr Blue Sky & Guy Williams.
(Image credit: Steve Dawe / Real Time Imaging)
Guy Williams’ superstar puissance ride Mr Blue Sky UK has a new home and new rider – but will still take on the red wall with Guy.
Blue, who has won nine international puissances with Guy including four at the London International Horse Show while owned by Caroline and Rupert Phillips, has been bought by Elaine Annis, who told H&H she “fell in love with him within five minutes”. He is living with Elaine, and will be competed at national level by Charlotte Walker, but will go back to Guy for puissances, and probably a shot at the Hickstead Derby this summer.
Blue, who is now 15, competed in the Hickstead Derby with Guy in 2022, finishing 11th, and Elaine thinks that having been round the course, he will know what to expect this year.
“He’s a puissance specialist, but never say never!” she said, adding that it was Blue’s nature that she fell in love with.
“As Guy has said, he’s spooky and sharp, but he’s got a heart of gold,” she said. “He nuzzles through your pockets, puts his top lip up and laughs at you; he’s got a gorgeous personality, my children can lead him around.
“I think with puissances, it’s the thrill of it. I love Nigel and he got me addicted to it. They say you get one horse of a lifetime and I can’t believe I might be lucky enough to end up with two. It’s lovely.”
Caroline, from Stud UK Euro in Kent, told H&H she saw Blue advertised as a five-year-old, rang the seller and bought him.
“I have 40 years experience of breeding and looking at young horses jump which gives me an eye to see real talent,” she said.
“The grey horse I had bought had so much jump, all I could see was the blue sky, and that is how he got his name as he wasn’t named when he came over from Europe. The UK suffix was added, as you can see on other Stud UK Euro horses. Mr Blue Sky UK went on to be ridden by Guy Williams, who I have had a very good relationship with for 40 years; he beat the best in the world, at Bordeaux on my horse Zaire .
“Mr Blue Sky has been a horse of a lifetime for me in winning so many puissances. We wish Elaine all the very best.”
You might also be interested in:
History made as rider takes record fifth London puissance in thrilling style
Guy Williams’ Hickstead Derby memories: ‘Skip Two Ramiro is probably my all-time Hickstead horse’
‘When you come round the corner, it looks ridiculous!’ But top eventer can’t wait to do another puissance
TOPICS
