Winner Winner Chicken Dinner Part 20

Caroline Wilkinson Calmsden BE90 winner

Hannah Bate Cholmondeley Castle BE100 winner

Gaspard Maksud Chilham Castle Novice winner

34 year old, Caroline Wilkinson from the New Forest won the BE90 at Calmsden riding Classic Destiny II. 

What are your aims for 2017 for this horse?

It’s his 1st season, so I was hoping for just a consistent season. He has exceeded my expectations. We have qualified for the BE90 regional finals this year & two for next year already.

Is this your first time at this event, or are you a regular? If a regular, what keeps you coming back? If a first timer, will you be back?

It was my first time at Calmsden, I thought it was very well run & was a good galloping course which suited my horse. I will definitely be back hopefully to do the 100 next time.

Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?

My dad was a huge influence on me starting to jump but I just love the adrenaline & buzz of eventing. I’m very competitive.

Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?

My husband really. He’s not into horses so has to put up with me disappearing off to events & has to look after my 17 month old son when I do go.

What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?

Nothing comes to mind.

Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing

Fingers crossed nothing with this horse so far. Think I’ve been lucky so far & not really had any blunders.

Which is your favourite event & why?

I think Dauntsey is my favourite event. I’ve always done quite well there and I think the XC course is a good up to height, testing one, I also like the river crossings.

What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?

I love a good roast chicken dinner with a few glasses of nice white white, but equally love a sneaky KFC.

What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?

A bit of Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody.

Professional event rider, Hannah Bate won the BE100 at Cholmondeley riding Carnsdale Talk Talk who only arrived on the Tuesday before the event.

What are your aims for 2017 for this horse?
This horse is on my yard to be sold so he will be competed until then .

Is this your first time at this event, or are you a regular? If a regular, what keeps you coming back? If a first timer, will you be back?

I am a regular to Cholmondely as it’s my local event (10 mins away )! It is an amazing event in every way. A real proper event.

Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?

The late Caroline Pratt was and still is my mentor. She taught me exactly how to run a yard, deal with owners and have a very happy friendly work force.

Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?

I have a lot of unsung heros but I would say my mum as she is so amazing behind the scenes at looking after my partner and I and our 17 month old son. My parents are not horsey at all but are always ready to listen to what is going on and where. Also my mum would get up at 3am to make sure we all have bacon and egg butties to take to events and the monster of all picnics. She will do a lorry shop for us and cook and freeze everything ready for us to take. She also will plate up dinners for Paul, Billy and myself throughout the week.

What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?

I wish I had known that eventing completely takes over your life. I wish the prize money was better for all involved too.

Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing

I don’t really have any ‘bloopers’ that are funny, I have missed fences out, jumped wrong fences when in good positions, none of which were funny.

Which is your favourite event & why?

I have a few favourite events. I love being local to home so Cholmondely is one of them. All the usual prestigious ones like Barbury, Chatsworth, Bramham and Blenheim!

What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?

Chicken dinners actually are my favourite with all the trimmings washed down with a glass of white or a gin and tonic.

What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?

We don’t have any favourite songs in the lorry as we listen to the radio mainly. Pauls version of just about any song is fairly funny. He claims not everyone can sing ‘Acapella’. He basically gets all the wrong words to all of them .

24 year old professional french event rider, Gaspard Maksud won a Novice section riding Pizazz II at Chilham Castle. 

What are your aims for 2017 for this horse?

He’s going to do a couple more novices and hopefully continue our winning streak.

Is this your first time at this event, or are you a regular? If a regular, what keeps you coming back? If a first timer, will you be back?

It’s the third year in a row I have been to Chilham. It’s a testing event for the horses as the show jumping and cross country are on a hill. The cross country incorporates a wide range of fences which are always up to height but clear for the horses.

Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?

It is definitley Cedric Lyard. I remember when I was 16 at Jardy he said to me : “Hey kid you’re ridding nicely. If anytime you want to come to work for me you’re welcome”.. which I did. It’s through him I came to work in England for Andrew Nicholson. 

Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?

Jill Tasker who owns Pizzaz II because she is always helping me especially with my jumping. Also my girlfirend who always supports me.

What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?

That it would bring me to live in England!

Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing

It was when I was 17. I was competing at a junior event in France and my horse stopped at the ditch in the coffin then went left. I finished like Tarzan in the branches then on the floor…

© LRG Photography

Which is your favourite event & why?

I think Barbury is one of the best events. The courses are quite tough and hilly and offer a good spectacle. However Burghley is for me the ultimate 4* which I would like to complete.

What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?

A lovely roast dinner with roast potatoes and a nice cold beer.

What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?

100% any of Ed Sheeran’s songs.