This tall and attractive horse was bought off Brian Flynn and Meabh Bolger at MBF Sport Horses at the start of his 5yo year, after Kate had her eye on the horse pure jumping as a 4 year old.
Zam was started by former DE rider, Craig Barr, and together in 2017 the combination had 2 BE100 wins, easily qualified for the National 5YO Championships and didn’t even noticed the step up to Novice level. Despite having quite a growth spurt half way through 2018, Zam gained further experience at Novice level and made absolutely nothing of the National 6YO Championships. He rounded off the season with another top class double clear at CCI-L2* level. 2019 was an exciting year for Zam; he jumped double clear and placed 2nd in his first couple of Intermediate runs, jumped very impressive double clears around his first CCI-S3* and the BE Intermediate Championships in the summer to finish 20th, despite being the only 7yo in the field around the Advanced track! He’s finished 11th in the National 7YO Championships and we were delighted this class horse was selected to represent GB at The World 7YO Championships at Le Lion D’Angers at the end of the season, where they put in a great performance and were one of the best show jumping rounds of the final day. Zam kicked off 2020 with a 2nd at Intermediate level and went on to win at the same level later in the season. He also placed in our own prestigious 8/9YO Advanced class at Aston-le-Walls and jumped clear around both Wellington’s Advanced and Burnham Market’s 8/9YO CCI-S4*, and rounded of an impressive year by finishing in the money at Thoresby CCI-L3* autumn.
Kate took over the reins after her maternity leave in 2021, and the pair’s partnership got off to a great start, cruising around Dassett Eventing’s 8/9YO Advanced at Aston-le-Walls and feeling very comfortable together. Sadly, Zam picked up an injury in 2022 but the pair have gone from strength to strength over the years, with top 5 placings at 3* level and some classy S4* runs. Zam showed everyone what he is made of at at Blenheim CCI-L4* in the autumn of 2024, where having been well placed on a 29 dressage, a shoe flying of on a tight turn at the penultimate fence meant Kate and Zam couldn’t finish their turn and ended up missing the B element. The 20 penalties were very expensive, especially as he jumped a class clear round on the final day! But Zam doesn’t know he had a mistake, and was very pleased with his week!
After a very unexpected illness at the start of last year, Zam’s 2025 season wasn’t as we had hoped. However, we were thrilled to have him back eventing during the second half of the year. Zam put in a great clear cross country at Little Downham CCI-S4* and rounded off the season heading abroad to Kronenberg CCI-S4*S and finished a fabulous 5th place with a beautiful double clear round a testing track, and only time faults costing the win.
With plenty of experience under Zam’s belt by now, we are hoping to head to Luhmuhlen CCI-L5* this June, and hope to have some great results along the way.
Zam is a one of the tallest horses on the yard and is absolutely adored by Sue – and the feeling is mutual! Zam has three great paces for the dressage and looks set to get some exciting marks this year. He can pop over the largest of fences very easily and once he gets into his stride cross country, he can be incredibly quick. He will do anything for a banana and the whole team is delighted to see this horse as happy and enthusiastic for his work as he has ever been. Just don’t walk too close whilst eating a banana…..!
