HORSE AND RIDER
TEXT: GEORGIA HARLEY
Gelding of the month LORD CARLOS
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his month's gelding is Raffles, more formally known as Lord Carlos. Lorraine McHugh purchased Lord Carlos from Laurence Mowatt. The Mowatt family of Willowbrook Stud bred Lord Carlos using their imported Holstein mare, Carla. Laurence Mowatt did all the initial schooling of Lord Carlos before Lorraine acquired him in December of 2019. Lord Carlos has just turned seven and is currently successfully competing with Lorraine in the 1.10m classes. For such a young horse to take everything in his stride with an amateur rider is lovely to see. Lorraine has big ambitions with this delightful young gelding, with one goal being to maybe even compete in the SA Derby one day. Lord Carlos has shown that this goal may well be in his reach; he is careful yet brave, and this winning combination is difficult to find together but ideally suited for a track such as Derby. This youngster's bravery is often tested at home when he acts as the lead horse for other horses when training scary jumps! Lorraine feels this bravery kicked in at
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Raffles' first show, where he was uncertain about a jump, received reassurance from Lorraine, and has never looked back since. With the guidance of Carl Boonzaaier and Mark-Lloyd Fox, Lorraine has managed to produce a happy, confident horse. She reports that he can still become a little anxious from time to time but that he continues to grow and improve with Lorraine ensuring he progresses gradually and carefully, to avoid setbacks and knocks to his confidence. Lord Carlos has offered Lorraine opportunities she simply didn't have when she was a younger rider, and she is determined to take the time necessary with Lord Carlos to get it right.
DID YOU KNOW? In 2002 L’Arc de Triomph a three-year-old son of Lady Killer xx sold for EUR 460 000. L’Arc de Triomph is currently number 16 on the WBFSH.
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