04/09/2009 09:44:00

Halliday guides Darola Diamond to victory on eventing debut

Dual sportswoman Liz Halliday handed young horse Balloo (Darola Diamond) his eventing debut last weekend and promptly saw the young gelding claim victory in the Lycetts Four Year Old Class at Firle Place.

The category introduces young horses to eventing competition using an ‘intro level track’ and Balloo belied his complete lack of experience to take the win. Lying second after Dressage with a strong score of 32, he was then the only horse to jump a double clear without any time faults in the Show Jumping and Cross Country tests.

“I’m absolutely over the moon with the result,” said Liz. “He’s only a baby, he turned four in June, and he’s never even seen a course like this before as I’ve only just cross country schooled him a couple of times. He was very calm throughout and jumped really well.”

The result means Balloo has achieved his qualification for the prestigious British Eventing Young Horse Championships at Twesledown 13 October.

Liz also competed with Ollie (Volien) and Newby (All Inclusive) at Firle Place, both horses taking part in Novice-level competition for the first time.

Newby finished seventh overall in the class reserved for six-year-old horses, while Ollie was eighth in her category. Both horses were strong in Dressage, but both also had rails down in the Show Jumping before going clear on the Cross Country test.

“I was pleased to have a pair of top ten finishes with them considering it was their first Novice-level event,” said Liz.

“Ollie had a few rails down in the Show Jumping which was disappointing, but I know she’s a good jumper and once I’ve got her dialed in I think she’ll be amazing. Her Cross Country performance was excellent because the course caused loads of problems for a lot of other horses.

“Newby is still a bit green and had never experienced such a big arena before. He still jumped well though and was strong in the Cross Country test.”

Halliday’s busy weekend continued on Bank Holiday Monday as she travelled to Highclere to continue Fox’s (Red Letter Day II) competition comeback following injury.

Fox took part in the Advanced class and produced a decent performance, despite having four rails down in the Show Jumping.

“He was less erratic than Hatherleigh the previous week and I think he’ll be jumping clear again in an event or two,” said Liz. “He is just a bit wild at the moment and very excited to be eventing again, but I am sure that once he settles down he will be jumping more consistent rounds. I was always planning to withdraw him from the cross country phase as I don't feel that he needs the run on his legs at this stage of his fitness, but it was good for both of us to be jumping at Advanced level again, so I am pleased that we went.”

To watch Liz Halliday in action on her horse Billy (Baldaghade) in the Dressage and Cross Country tests at the recent Hartpury CIC* event, visit the following links: DRESSAGE – CROSS COUNTRY.