For two hunting regulars, Henry Chapman and Toby Grafftey-Smith, there was only one option – seek out the adrenaline that eventing offers. The Gaitpost followed the boys at their first Intro at Aston Le Walls this week.
Toby Grafftey-Smith & Henry Chapman
Henry and Toby caught the hunting bug three seasons ago when they succumbed to the thrill of the chase.
Henry’s three children, along with my three, have all Pony Clubbed with the Grafton Hunt since they were old enough to join and regularly compete for their school at NSEA competitions.
When Henry realised it was going to be easier to keep up with them on 4 legs rather than 2, his wife Sophie bought him his first horse, having never ridden before. A dedicated student to the cause, Henry took regular lessons at a local livery yard and was not only hooked but doing pairs competitions with his children and hunt ready in no time.
For Toby, the lure of the hunting field came from his love of speed. When not tinkering the ivories in his studio (he was the keyboardist in 90s band Jamiroquai) Toby can be found under the bonnet of a classic car rebuilding the engine or on a test circuit.
The Chapmans enjoying a day with the Grafton Hunt
He started riding aged 13 and played Pony Club polo for three years, however Toby hadn’t sat on a horse since he was 16. Keen to join his friend in the field, a noble steed was found and there was no turning back.
Toby out hedge hopping
Dressage dilemmas
It would be fair to say there was a healthy whiff of competition in the air when I met the boys on Tuesday morning.
Ready to perform their debut dressage test, it was Henry who was up first riding Gorgeous George, his 16’3hh hunter. Watching from the mound, it looked like Henry and George were riding a fluid test with no visible clangers. Scoring a very respectable 34.5 Henry was clearly delighted – mainly that he had remembered the test and not fallen out of the arena. Speaking after his test, Henry said
“Learning the dressage test was like going back to school!”
Next up was Toby, riding his 17.2hh grey Irish Sports Horse, Jim, who he bought last summer. On presenting to the dressage steward to find out which arena he would be in, Toby was informed his Pelham would not be permitted.
A quick trot back to find a snaffle didn’t help the nerves but once legal, Toby was in the arena. Out of nowhere Virtual Insanity started humming away in my head but there was nothing insane about this test. Scoring a quite brilliant 32.8 for a debut, it was all smiles from the rock star:
“We finished hunting a week ago, so sticking my totally clueless horse and equally untrained self into an arena for 20 minutes the day before the event was probably not the most sensible way to prepare for a dressage test. I did in fact enjoy it, and luckily the judge took pity on me. For me it is all about the jumping, but clearly to do well on the day, you’ve got to nail the dressage! Might have to start getting some lessons…”
Canter Banter
Having grabbed a bacon sarnie, we all set off to walk the cross country course. The banter was back and there didn’t seem to be any fences that Henry and Toby were concerned about – if anything the lack of high hedges caused more consternation.
1 – 2 – 3 – No – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 Where’s 4?
Back on board and in to the warm up arena, Henry popped George over a few fences and entered the ring. Being a spectator alongside Henry’s wife, Sophie, was actually quite nerve wracking! Unfortunately two poles rolled but it was a brave first effort and Henry came out smiling.
Henry and George leaving the showjumping
For Toby, the warm up ring was an education in itself. A lady gently informed him to keep the red flag on the right as he jumped the wrong way and to ride ‘left to left’. Once he explained that this was his first event, nearby riders wished him luck and he continued to pop Jim over some fences.
His warm up seemed to go on for ages and it was only then that I realised he hadn’t given his number in. Once sorted, we awaited his entrance to the ring.
Unfortunately this coincided with a call that Henry was approaching the start box. We abandoned Toby, wished him luck and pegged it to the viewing mound in the nick of time to see Henry set off. I think we all jumped every fence with him but it was effortless and as Henry and George cleared the corner and headed for home, the applause began.
Not knowing how Toby had got on, we waited on the mound as he trotted past and made his way to the start of the cross country. With several warm up fences under his belt, Toby and Jim entered the start box. A quick chat with the steward and Toby came out of the box….and trotted back to us. He had grabbed his air jacket but didn’t have a back protector. Henry quickly gave him his and with one more jump over the practice fence, Toby and Jim re-entered the start box and flew round.
Credit: Matt Nuttall Photography
Walking back to the lorry, Toby revealed he had gone clear in the showjumping and with only 1.6 XC time penalties to add to his dressage score, there was a chance he might be placed.
Henry buzzing after xc
Results and ribbons
The horses were untacked and the post mortem began – not so much of a post mortem but more an energetic discussion on where and when would be their next event! Speaking about the day, Henry said
“I really enjoyed the competitive element and how each different discipline exposed the flaws in my riding. I have to say, though, that I missed the stirrup cup! Next up is the 9th April when I’m competing against the children!”
It was great being there to see the boys take the plunge. The final results saw Toby placed in 10th and Henry 18th – seriously impressive for eventing virgins.
Being a predominantly female sport at this level, it was encouraging to see the boys, who are also husbands, fathers and businessmen, add eventers to their CVs. It was inevitable that they would both be hooked and we look forward to following their season and may even join them! Summing up his day, Toby said,
“I loved every minute of it, and to get placed was fantastic! It was a top day and will definitely go some way to replace the adrenalin until hunting starts again! I can’t wait until the next one!”
Sarah Heseltine
