International Debut Delight for Nina Emery

Nina Emery on Piana

Nina Emery, from Cannock in Staffordshire, guided 12 year old bay mare Piana to victory in the amateur 1.20metre grand prix, sponsored by Gain Horse Feeds.
 

It proved a dominant display, with the combination finishing 1.5 seconds clear of runner-up Joanne Whitaker and Contendro Star, while third place went to Bryony Holloway and Why Not.

A total of 17 combinations made the jump-off from a 32-strong field, including Israeli rider Ariel Epstein, who secured a strong sixth-place finish with Corona. Reflecting on a fine win in Bolesworth’s International Arena, Emery said: “I have had the horse for six years. I bought her from France, and I have had her since she was at British Novice level, so I have brought her all the way through myself.

“She has been very consistent for me, and it is fantastic to win at what is the first international show I have ever been to. We wanted to have a nice week, and it has been great. I have managed to win a rosette every day in terms of minor placings. It’s beautiful here, and the food was fantastic last night. I think I had too many puddings, though! I thought if I had any more, the horse would never carry me!

“You look around, and you just think ‘where else in England can you go and jump somewhere like this’?”