Moody magic at the Winters

James Bond II (Desperado x Fidertanz) is a horse with a bright future and has qualified for the Magic PSG and PSG Freestyle and the Superflex Inter I. Although he qualified for last year’s Winter Championships, Becky didn’t take him as she had so many other rides. He was very successful as a five-year-old and was an Elementary Gold National Champion. Now he is maturing, he is coming into his own and could be challenging Jack for the top ribbons.

“I’ve struggled a little with him,” explains Becky. “He’s a stallion and it took me a little while to find the key to turn his engine on. In the last few months, he’s changed enormously in his rideability and I’m really excited about him. As he’s gained strength, he’s developed a super cool piaffe.”

“I’m very lucky to be taking two such lovely horses to the Championships.”

Becky won’t be changing her horses’ routines very much in preparation for the show. “I keep everything as normal as I can. I try not to get them to peak too early. They are worked four times a week and hacked twice and we try and keep that same routine. Jack is such a big horse he can make himself sore so he goes to the water treadmill once a week. He’ll go for a session the day before we leave for Hartpury.”

Both Jack Diamond and James Bond were picked out by Becky as three-year-olds and temperament is the first thing she looks for. “The horses have to want to do it. As soon as you sit on them you have an idea of their work ethic. I look at their dynamic conformation and see if they have natural balance. Even with a young horse you can still get a feel for the direction of their movement, uphill or downhill. Flamboyant movement isn’t necessary. They need to be athletic and comfortable within their own movement.

Becky has had consistent long-term training with Carl Hester and David Hunt and recognises the importance of her home team, which includes her sister Hannah, an invaluable support and useful ‘eyes on the ground’.

As Becky often has as many as a dozen classes at a major championship, plus her pupils who need her help in preparing for their tests, it requires good organisation to fit everything in. “I have a wonderful team at home and great support from the staff at the