Catherston Stud Interview

02-11-2016

Jennie Loriston-Clarke is one of Britain's leading riders and trainers at Catherston Stud. Horsemart Magazine editor Ava Pannell caught up with her about Olympic horse Dutch Gold, tips on buying young sport horses and what she's looking forward to in the future

Jennie Loriston-Clarke

"Jennie has represented Great Britain in four Olympic games: Munich ’72 and Montreal ’76 with Kadett; Los Angeles ’84 with Prince Consort and Seoul ’88 where she was 14th with Dutch Gold. She also rode in the alternative Olympics in 1980 where she was 6th with Dutch Courage and won a Bronze Medal with this horse at the World Equestrian Games. Before concentrating on dressage Jennie made her name in point to pointing and horse trials qualifying for Burghley as well as winning the Midland Bank Championships on Dutch Gold before taking him the next day to compete in Europe at a CDI proving both her and the horse’s versatility." taken from catherstonstud.com

Ava: Jennie thank you for talking to us today, you have done a great deal for British Breeding, particularly through the BEF Futurities. What do you look for in a young sport horse?

Jennie: Correct conformation, a well-balanced youngster with excellent paces, and a good character. The correctness of the walk is very important which usually also results in a good canter. It is easier to influence and improve on the trot.

Yearly filly by Timolin expected 15.1hh / 1 year 6 months / Filly

Ava: If you could give one tip to someone looking to buy a young sport horse, what would it be?

Jennie: All of the above, and consideration must be taken into account of the potential riders’ ability. It is no good in having a Ferrari if you are more suited to a Mercedes or a Mondeo!

Potential eventer filly by Timolin - Expected 15.2hh / 1 year 6 months / Filly

Ava: There have been many excellent horses born at Catherston stud, but which horse stands out as one of the best you have produced?

Jennie: Dutch Gold has probably been the most successful, although not actually born at Catherston he was by our stallion Dutch Courage but was backed and produced by us. He is the only British Bred horse to have won 6 World Cup Qualifiers, been top of the European League and was 5^th twice and 4^th once in the finals. Of the more recent we have the very exciting Catherston Tick Tock, Catherston Timeless, Catherston Tiffany and Catherston Temptation, all who have been awarded Elite status at the BEF Futurities all by our young stallion Timolin.

Jennie on Dutch Gold

4. All eyes are on your young stallion Timolin at the moment, as not only is a super model but he is showing huge ability in all three disciplines. What are your plans for him in 2017?

Watch this space!!! Hopefully he will be able to show his ability, possibility in all three disciplines, as long as his breeding programme permits.

Timolin

5. What does the future hold for Catherston Stud?

Great things hopefully! Not only do we have some lovely young horses of our own we also have a number of clients horses which my daughter Lizzie Murray and granddaughter Charlotte Dicker are busy competing. We eagerly await next year’s crop of foals.