It was a busy event for Tom Jackson who had six rides at South of England International including four in the international classes and two at novice level, all of which finished inside the top seven of their respective classes.
After a stint on the side lines recovering from an injury, Ask For Manchier repaid connections for their patience when landing the FEI CCI-S 3*. Under Tom’s experienced tutelage, the pair pulled off a solid double clear to finish on their 26.6 dressage.
The 11-year-old gelding by Cartier out of Manchaca is owned by S.H.E Eventing AB and has been with Tom since 2019.
“We’ve had him since a six-year-old when his owner brought him over from Sweden and we produced up the levels,” explained Tom. “He’s been very good all the way through and had some very good results. He picked up a bit of an injury last year so didn’t do much the end of last year and beginning of this year. He was at 4* before his injury, so this run in the 3* was to tick the box to move him back up next season. It was a bonus that he won it. He’s done now for the year, so he’ll have a break and then we’ll aim him for some spring events.”
Georgie Campbell and Global Candy Boy finished in second on 28.7 after a super double clear, and Samantha Brown and Spirit LSS finished on 31.3 in third.
In the CCI-S 2*, it was Gemma Stevens (pictured above) and Chris and Lisa Stone’s six-year-old Chilli Morning IV who took the victory with a 26.7 double clear.
“We were absolutely thrilled with him this weekend, he didn’t put a foot wrong,” said Gemma of the stallion by Phantomic out of Koralle. “He was first to go, did a super test and finished on it. He gives me the most amazing feeling cross country. He’s a stallion so we’ve taken things carefully and slowly this year to make sure he has all he needs in his bank!
“He has won a few novices and finished eighth in the 6-year-old Championships at Cornbury House. South of England was his first 2*. We will now finish him this season, let him have a break, and then next season everything will be geared towards getting him to Le Lion as a 7-year-old. He will also go to stud to collect and freeze some semen.
“To finish the season with a win was a great way to end. Thank you to his owners Chris and Lisa stone for giving me this amazing opportunity.”
Tom Jackson sat in second, fourth and fifth riding Sage Soldier, Cooley Cornasus and Leamore After Hours respectively.
“He’s a very promising young horse with a very exciting future,” said Tom of Sage Soldier. “It was nice that he had his moment to beat the other young horses in our string before going off on his holiday.”
Lucinda Mesquita and six-year-old DSH Golden Eye were third finishing on their dressage of 29.1. It was the gelding’s first CCI-S 2*.
For full results see here
Images courtesy of Spidge Photography
