Subsequent week, 41-year-old Nicole Mills is making her Defender Burghley Horse Trials and five-star debut on her personal 14-year-old gelding Fearless W (5–8 September).
“I’ve been eventing 24 years and it’s simply fairly unbelievable to really get certified. I’ve saved at it as I wasn’t very profitable driving rising up, however I simply love horses and love producing them – it’s addictive,” says Nicole, who is likely one of the most native riders at this yr’s occasion, together with her yard situated three miles away.
“My household moved to Wansford after I was 4 after which I went to Stamford Junior Faculty and Stamford Excessive Faculty and was a member of the Burghley department of the Pony Membership.”
Nicole has many fond recollections of Burghley, together with Pony Membership camps within the park and grooming for Julia Dungworth (née Crowson) when she competed Malaga on the occasion in 2002.
Nicole explains it was a case of “being in the suitable place on the proper time” when she acquired Fearless W, who is named Fred at residence.
“I purchased him as a five-year-old from Tim and Antonia Brown. I used to be having coaching with Tim on the time on my different horse and I stated to Tim that I would like one other one who was similar to him and that if he knew of something or come throughout something, to let me know.
“He rang me and stated I feel you ought to do that horse. So I booked in however when the day got here, it was completely hammering it down with rain, so I referred to as Tim and stated ‘shall I come in the present day?’ to which he stated no, because the horse was a bit sharp.”
When Nicole lastly went to strive Fred a couple of days later, she says that she couldn’t steer.
“He wouldn’t flip proper – however I jumped a few fences and I fell in love with him instantly. I paid for him there after which, purchased him and not using a vetting and took him residence. I simply adored him.
“Tim had one other potential consumer for him and so he stated ‘purchase him and maintain him, however I’ve obtained somebody that wish to strive him in a few weeks when he’s carried out a bit extra work’. I stated that was superb, however what if I needed to maintain him? He stated ‘if you wish to maintain him, then maintain him’. The consumer did come and examine him and I simply stated to Tim ‘I’m actually sorry, I can’t promote him, I simply adore this horse’.”
Nicole says that Fred was “extremely sharp” as a younger horse.
“You all the time felt like he was about to leap out of the world as a result of he was tough to show and issues like that and he was apprehensive about water till he reached intermediate degree – earlier than he went cross-country, I used to pour a bucket of water over his entrance legs to get his legs moist.”
Nicole Mills: “He’s probably the most clever horses I’ve come throughout”
As a personality, Nicole explains that Fred is “essentially the most pretty individual” with “essentially the most lovely eyes”.
“I feel he’s simply beautiful and he is aware of who his people are and he loves them, and his finest buddy is my different superior horse.
“If you happen to transfer too quick round him otherwise you brush him with a brush he doesn’t like, he behaves such as you’re electrocuting him and also you’re like ‘come on, simply because it’s not the goat hair brush, Fred!’ I feel he’s probably the most clever horses I’ve come throughout and really delicate.”
Nicole provides that Fred competes in a snaffle in each part and though he “over-jumped as a younger horse”, he’s bettering on a regular basis.
They completed third within the CCI4*-L at Kilguilkey Home in Eire in June 2023 and have various CCI4*-L and CCI4*-S completions to their identify as they head to Burghley.
“I used to be very fortunate to get him. He’s so particular and the locations and occasions I’ve been in a position to go to with him are superb. He provides me a lot confidence, which I can cross onto my very nice string of youthful horses that I’ve coming via now.”
When it comes to Nicole’s objectives for this yr’s Burghley, she says she is going to “strive her highest to take pleasure in it”.
“I’m not going to place an excessive amount of strain on myself. I’d like him to do a pleasant take a look at – he does battle a bit bit in that part – after which clearly everyone needs a transparent spherical throughout nation and he’s an excellent showjumper, so I’d be quietly assured that he would bounce spherical showjumping.”
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