RACING DRIVER AND EQUESTRIAN, LIZ HALLIDAY, COMPETES IN CCI EVENT WITH NEW HORSE, HARRY (SILKEN CRISP)
Shortly after returning from her win in the prestigious Sebring 12 Hour motor race in Florida (American Le Mans Series), Liz Halliday and her new horse, Harry (Silken Crisp), headed to Compiegne, France, for their first international CCI event together.
Although Liz has competed up to CCI level, the horse had never competed beyond an intermediate one day event, as Liz explains: “I have big hopes for Harry and would like him to get up to Advanced and CICthis year, so the CCI is the first step for his learning and qualifications.”
In cold but clear weather Liz was drawn for an 8:45am Dressage and felt confident about their chances. A nice start was soon marred by trouble in the canter work of the test. Liz said: “ The trot and walk work at the beginning of the test was lovely, but when I went into canter and did my first medium canter down the long side, Harry suddenly got spooked and went totally nuts! From then on I couldn’t get him anywhere near that side of the dressage arena. It was very disappointing and unexpected, and I was lucky to get a qualifying score.”
It was later discovered that wild boar had been in the woods to the side of the dressage area. “Horses are known to be really funny with pigs,” said Liz, “and just the smell is enough to set them off. I guess I should be pleased that there is at least an explanation for his fright!”
After the Dressage, Liz just tried to focus on completing the weekend with the necessary qualifying result. On Cross Country day she was really pleased with the horse, even though they had to take a few long routes. “He was a good boy,” said Liz. “Because we are still learning each other and this is the biggest event that he has done, we had a few steering issues on occasion, and he also hung a leg into one combination, meaning that I had to take the option fence to ensure a clear round, but for the most part I was really pleased and am confident with his ability for the future.”
Show Jumping followed the Cross Country and despite a good warm up, the horse had 4 rails down in the competition arena. Luckily, this was still within the parameters of qualifying, so Liz completed the event with a result that she could use for the future. Liz said: “ I was a bit upset about having so many rails down on a horse that I know is a good show jumper, but I know it was a tough course and we are still learning each other, so I think it is something we can work on for the future. I let him get a bit flat in his back and too quick at times which meant that he had the rails down with his hind legs, but I think that this is something that we can improve on before the next competition.”
A qualifying score now secured, Liz is now working toward her next big competition with Harry, the Tweseldown CCI May 25-28 in Hampshire, England. She hopes this will give the horse enough experience to move up to Advanced level at the Gatcombe Park Horse Trials the first weekend of August.
