Dassett Graduates 2019

2019 has been a fantastic year for Dassett Eventing with some of the young horses that we are producing for sale, posting top results and really making a name for themselves as potential superstars.

However it’s not just the #dassettbabies and #dassettbigboys based at DEHQ who have been busy this year and, as the season comes to an end, it’s always fun to check in with our Dassett Graduates and find out what they have been up to.

Having produced most of these horses from gangly 4yr olds, patting and flapping them through their first ever events and watching them as they go from “no idea – can’t steer!!” to “look at me, I’m in the top three!!” It is always a pleasure to follow their progress once the training wheels are taken off and they are let out into the big wide eventing world.

With horses based in the USA, Italy and Belgium as well as the UK, keeping track of them is a full time job. But here are just a few of our favourite Dassett Graduates who have gone on to have success at international events this season.

In top spot and everyone’s favourite ‘pocket rocket dun pony’, has to be Dassett Cooley Dun, (Mouse). Yes, he may well have been frightened of the floor and refused to get off the lorry on arrival at DEHQ as a 4yr old back in 2010, but he has quite literally made giant leaps forward in his career since then.

Having completed up to 3 star level with team DE under top jockey and number one Mouse fan Hayley Wright, he has now taken the world by storm for owners Kate Willis and Mel Prichard and his rider (or as Mouse would say his “steerer”) Sarah Way.

With many international results to his name, we think that an incredible 10th place at Pau 5 star is probably one worth singling out !! This he achieved as well as the other four clear rounds at 4 star level he produced this year, including the long format competition at Blenheim!!!

Long may this truly amazing little horse continue giving us something to smile about, especially as we hear that a Badminton entry is, all being well, on the cards for next spring!!

Dassett Master (Impy) moved to Italy back in 2017 where he has had great success under the experienced and careful management of Judy Beeson with junior rider Alessandra Moretti.

The pair gained 13th and 10th spots at 2 star short level events in the Spring before senior rider Rebecca Chiappero took over the reins for the latter part of the season. The combination of Impy’s talent and Rebecca’s experience shone through, producing 3 out of 3 double clear WINS at 1 and 2 star level finishing on his dressage mark at every outing! Some people call that showing off, but not us! Good boy Impy!

Bec Braitling certainly had a good first couple of international outings aboard the fancy 7yr old Dassett Ricochet (Jimmy), previously campaigned by Craig Barr in the UK. Jimmy has clearly taken to life on the other side of the pond by finishing on his dressage mark in his first 2 long, for 3rd place and then going 2 better by nailing the WIN in the 2 short at Woodside this October finishing on a very impressive 25.6! We think that his new rider Meg Pellegrini is certainly going to have some fun with him next year, well done and good luck to all involved!

Other youngsters producing good results include the lovely 6yr old Dassett Olympus who, with clears at both short and long 2 star events finished on his dressage for 5th place in the long at Lexington this October with Lillian Heard, while Dassett Golden Touch came 4th in the 2 long at San Quintin with new rider Nicola Pearson.

Back on home turf, Selena Milnes has had great results with the very classy Iron IV placing 15th in the 4 short at Chatsworth before nailing a podium finish in the 4 long at Bramham finishing in 3rd place, completing on an elusive double clear.

The lovely mare LVS Dassett Charisma completed three double clears at 3 star this season as did the gorgeous full brother to Dassett Select, Dassett Choice who also claimed 6th place in the three long at Bromont in June with Rebecca Brown. Keeping up appearances for the girls, Atrax Robustus formally a 2 star long winner with Craig before being sold, also completed three clears cross country at 3 star level this season.

And last but not least, one of team DE’s favourite residents, In The Darco. Dudley was competed by Craig, Kate, Alice Rocher and Hayley during his time at DEHQ and is still going strong! Placing 4th in the 2 long at Aldon at the end of the year!

As yet another elite handful of Dassett Graduates cross the threshold and move out into the brave new world this autumn, it will certainly be exciting to see how they all get on…but don’t worry, the stables at DEHQ don’t stay empty for long…in fact…the next batch of 4yr olds are already on their way!! #watchthisspace.