Canadian Olympian Mike Winter captured the British Eventing Five-Year-Old Championship, sponsored by The Howden Way, riding Happy Time at the Cornbury House Horse Trials on Sept. 9. The venue is located just 45 minutes from his base in Gloucester, UK.
Winter and Happy Time (sired by Dibadu L) finished on their dressage score of 26.1 in an enormous starting field of 73 entries. Second-place Gemma Gurvidi and Nistel O also finished with a score of 26.1, but since Winter was closer to the optimum time of 4:48 on cross-country, they secured the victory.
“It is so amazing to be able to produce young horses, be given the opportunity to showcase them and be rewarded for the work we have done,” shared Winter. “British Eventing, David Howden, through Cornbury House International and young horse Championships, has created an amazing showcase for the emerging talent in our sport, for the owners and supporters, as well as a place for the public to enjoy.”
He added, “We purchased Happy Time in Holland as a rising four-year-old, and we soon brought in long-time supporters Hazel and Josh Thompson as half owners to share with us in his journey. He has been so straightforward to produce and has won or placed in every competition he has done. He is a real professional and always performs when called upon.”
Winter’s 22-year-old daughter Amelia, who rides for Great Britain, also competed in the CCI** YH championship at Cornbury House aboard her six-year-old chestnut gelding Wolk, while Winter competed on his World Championships mount El Mundo in the Open Intermediate as a last run as he awaits a selection decision ahead of the upcoming Pan American Games. They placed 9th, having an excellent dressage test scoring 27.3, one rail in stadium and just 1.20 cross-country time penalties.
Results here.
~ with files from Equestrian Canada
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