The partnership of Tim and the Unex Competition Yard’s 11-year-old gelding, who is cared for at home by groom Paul Drew, looked a different combination than when racking up 12 faults the previous day.
“He felt completely different today, I don’t know what it was yesterday – maybe he was a bit low off the ground,” pondered Tim, who was competing at his first championship in 17 years. “But already, just working him in this morning, he had a lot more about him and after the first fence I knew I was running a different animal than yesterday.
“But it was very frustrating to have the last fence down – I think he deserved a clear round. It’s a tough track, so hopefully that helps the team’s chances. Seeing so many people having problems at the final fence probably should have made me ride it better, because I knew it was tricky, but these things happen.”
European Showjumping Championships: “I wanted him to get used to the grass”
Tim explained that a routine change seems to have contributed to Medoc’s improvement on day two of the European Showjumping Championships.
“Yesterday even cantering in the ring, I just didn’t feel like he was in my hand and coming off my leg like I would normally like him to,” revealed Tim. “But I worked him differently this morning and it seems to have paid off.
“I actually worked him on the grass because I wanted him to get used to the grass, whereas yesterday I’d kept him on the sand. I felt yesterday that he was a bit unsure of his footing because he hadn’t been on grass for a while. So I spent an hour just riding him on the grass this morning. I’m not sure if that’s what worked, but you know, it didn’t hurt anyway.”
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Tim Gredley currently sits just outside the top 40 on the individual leaderboard.
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Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.
