Caroline
Wilkins riding Amadeus |
Trakhener
Breed Heads For Side-Saddle Honours
Since 1960, when Walter Lorch brought the first Trakehner
stallion into this country as the basis of the renowned Muschamp
Stud, this famed German breed, now in its 11th generation
in England, has repeatedly proved itself in competitive equestrianism.
Its reputation as a top-class sport horse widened some 12
years ago when Walter sponsored four-in-hand driving trial
whip, Karen Bassett, in her move from ponies to horses, providing
her with a team of Trakehners. Within five years Karen had
won international recognition with the horses and had represented
Great Britain at successive World Championships, earning her
the title of leading lady four-in-hand driver in this discipline.
Committed to the breed, Karen still drives a team of Trakehners
and still holds that title. |
Under
Walter’s patronage once again, the Trakehner is about to
show its all-round qualities of temperament, outstanding paces
and reliability in a different equestrian field. Fifteen-year-old
Caroline Wilkins, 2000 National Junior Side-Saddle Performance
Points Champion, is set to train five-year-old Trakehner, Amadeus,
with a view to competing side-saddle in national competition.
Amadeus is by Beatos – the stallion that is best known as
Lloyds Bank’s black horse, out of Anuschka, a Trakehner mare
with an impeccable blood line. Only backed in March this year,
Amadeus was quick to settle to side-saddle and is now in training
with Caroline.
Caroline has been riding side-saddle since she was ten years old
having watched a display that left her captivated. Since then
she has competed on equal terms with astride riders on her ponies
Tiptoe Bracken II and Canterton Beau, in show-jumping, dressage,
cross-country, eventing, showing – even Pony Club games,
as well as taking part in countless displays and promotional exhibitions.
“I
am very excited about the prospect of training with Amadeus to
ride in displays and compete side-saddle,” she said. “I’m
sure he will be perfect for the job – he’s already taking
to it well, and together we can only get better.”
Caroline
Wilkins riding one of the Muschamp stallions, Korsakof. This was
only his second time side saddle
.
