Leaping in a Longines FEI International Cup Ultimate calls for horses to be on the absolute top in their powers, in high athletic situation. The winner of this 12 months’s renewal in Saudi Arabia (16–20 April), King Edward, is 14 years previous; the runner-up Dubai Du Cedre 11. The common age of the top-16 within the ultimate standings is 12 – which makes the success of the third-placed horse, Catch Me Now not S, all of the extra outstanding.
Peder Fredricson’s 18-year-old completed 2nd in each the rate and the jump-off categories on the finals main as much as the decider, the place he reduced one pole in spherical one to slide to 3rd total.
“Charlie”, as they name him at house, was once the oldest horse within the pageant via some two years, and whilst maximum of his friends have lengthy been consigned to the retirement paddocks, the gray continues to turn large zest for leaping those colossal lessons. A lot of his more youthful opponents seemed weary via the top of 5 rounds of one.60m fences, however Charlie seemed as recent as on day one. Peder believes the veteran, via Cardento x Ramiro’s Son, is “higher than ever”.
“He can’t depend how previous he’s and I don’t inform him,” smiled Peder after the rate magnificence. “However after all it’s a special factor if they’re 11 or 12, or 18. I be sure that I transfer him round so much however nonetheless holding him recent. I lunged him within the morning, then double lunged [with two reins] him at lunch. I don’t do a lot, simply stay the muscle mass supple as a result of I don’t wish to tire him.
“I do all of it myself, as a result of at those presentations it’s in reality vital for me to peer the pony, know the pony, see no matter you’ll do to make him really feel excellent.
“Prior to the category, I don’t leap a lot, perhaps 4 jumps to avoid wasting him and stay him recent.”
Peder additionally opted to not take him into probably the most prize-givings: “He’s an excessively blood horse, he doesn’t like to face nonetheless and he will get excited. It’s an extended week and I wish to save him from an excessive amount of pleasure. The following day [a rest day] I will be able to simply stroll him round, perhaps lunge, however I received’t trip him.”
How Catch Me Now not spends his downtime
Again house in Sweden, Peder makes positive Charlie is given the most efficient conceivable likelihood of recuperating from his hard work.
“When they grow older, they want an extended spoil after presentations, so I simply depart him utterly by myself,” he stated. “For one week, he simply is going out within the box with a pal, resting. I at all times give him an extended spoil after a display, after which slowly I begin to paintings him.
“At his age, I don’t want to educate him new issues, it’s the similar with people and horses. When they grow older, they have got the health, so I don’t want to get him have compatibility, however I want to educate him to stick explosive, since the muscle mass get a little slower. It’s the similar with me, I used to visit the fitness center and raise weights, however now I educate jumps to stay my frame fast and explosive. Him additionally, I mainly leap numerous small grids, bounces, not anything top – to stay him versatile and explosive. Now not exhausting paintings, very mild, to stay the frame recent and fast.”
Catch Me Now not was once spring-heeled all week, as recent as a horse part his age. And there are different benefits of driving a veteran who continues to be feeling within the high of lifestyles.
“For a International Cup Ultimate, it’s in reality to hand to have an skilled horse and we all know each and every different so neatly,” stated Peder.
You may additionally experience studying…
Credit score: FEI/Martin Dokoupil
Credit score: FEI/Martin Dokoupil
Credit score: Alamy Inventory Picture
Credit score: © FEI/Martin Dokoupil
Credit score: Long term
Horse & Hound mag, out each and every Thursday, is full of all of the newest information and stories, in addition to interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and coaching recommendation. To find how you’ll experience the mag delivered on your door each and every week, plus choices to improve your subscription to get admission to our on-line provider that brings you breaking information and stories in addition to different advantages.
