‘I’m gutted – however she’s bought a stunning dwelling’: four-star horse bought to younger rider

Eventer Holly Woodhead has mentioned a “unhappy goodbye” to Caunton Effectively Linked, because the four-star mare has been bought to an up-and-coming younger rider.

Holly took on the trip of 13-year-old “Ping”, who’s by Grafenstolz and out of Caunton Stud’s basis broodmare Caunton Welldone, in the summertime of 2022. The mare was introduced up the degrees by Charlotte Dennis, and went on to have success with Nicola Wilson.

“I bought the trip on Ping after Nicola had her harm. Nicola and the proprietor Belinda Williams wished me to take her on, and on the time we had been primarily based at Mount St John in North Yorkshire. The thought was we’d see how I bought on together with her, and we saved her,” Holly advised H&H.

Final 12 months Holly and Ping jumped double clear within the CCI3*-S at Aston-le-Partitions for eighth place, and had been twelfth at Burgham. They completed the season leaping clear throughout nation of their first CCI4*-S collectively, at Little Downham.

Holly mentioned on the finish of the 12 months, Belinda’s circumstances modified, and the choice was made to promote Ping.

“I used to be making an attempt to place a syndicate collectively so I might preserve her, however sadly I wasn’t capable of finding the folks. In order that’s when it was determined that she’s going rather well so why not let a younger rider go and have a variety of enjoyable together with her, and present them the ropes,” mentioned Holly.

“I’m gutted I couldn’t get the funds collectively to maintain her, nevertheless it occurs, and particularly in our sport. You simply must preserve going and hope there’s one other one on the market who can do the identical. I’d wished to go four-star once more this 12 months together with her, and possibly do some Nations Cups, however now she will go and have a extremely good crack on the junior stuff.

“It’s extraordinarily powerful; like many different riders I get so hooked up to them. They’re a part of the household, and you’re employed with them each single day and know them inside out. Once you stroll into the barn she’s the primary horse together with her head poking out of the steady you with probably the most humongous ears and eyes. She at all times desires to see you, she is a really kind-natured horse.”

Ping left for her new dwelling yesterday (1 February).

“It felt like I used to be promoting my first horse once more. I’ve bought many horses through the years and it by no means will get simpler, however she’s bought a stunning, beautiful, dwelling,” mentioned Holly.

“The rider is an up-and-coming younger rider who’s coming off ponies. She desires to have an excellent go on the juniors at Belsay this 12 months, and possibly younger riders sooner or later. Ping completely adores her job, and I’m excited to observe them collectively.”

Holly thanked Belinda for the chance she had with Ping.

“It’s inconceivable to do our sport with out folks like Belinda who assist us riders. Belinda’s not solely been an proprietor, she’s additionally been a buddy,” she mentioned. “I’ll at all times be glad about her letting me trip her.”

Holly mentioned this 12 months she will likely be concentrating on some younger horses.

“I’m a bit brief in my crew on extra skilled horses, however I’ve bought a extremely good bunch of youthful ones that I’m enthusiastic about. I like producing the infants, and I’m excited for what I can do in a number of years after they’re a bit older,” she mentioned.

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H&H senior information author

Since becoming a member of H&H in 2018, Becky has coated a broad vary of equestrian information together with welfare issues, veterinary research, FEI Tribunal hearings and highway security campaigns. She has additionally interviewed high riders together with Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to call just some. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, in addition to the Royal Highland and Blair Fort Worldwide Horse Trials nearer to dwelling. She was additionally a key a part of the distant reporting crew for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.