TONY KEEPS HIS COOL
In the past a treating veterinary surgeon at
Badminton and this year a competitor, 47-year-old Tony Warr
completed The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials at his first
attempt.
Tony, from Tunbridge Wells is an equine vet in
a large practice in Paddock Wood and one of the few amateur riders
at the level. He rode his own Irish-bred Coolgrange Merger bought
as a three-year-old from breeder Tommie Brennan. The 17.1hh
chestnut by Thoroughbred sire Political Merger is one of three by
the sire that have completed the event. “We came with to enjoy
every step as you have no idea whether a horse is up for four-star
until you get there – my aim was to get round safely,” said Tony,
who did not have the easiest cross-country ride as the pair was
held on course half way round but jumped clear collecting 16.4 time
penalties. “I didn’t know how he would react to re-starting but he
is such a cool dude and just picked up again – he gave me a great
ride.” Tony and Coolgrange Merger ended the day in 66th
place and this morning added just four faults to their score giving
Tony the realisation of a long-held ambition.