One Day Sale: 30th November 2011
New Season Collections Now In Stock
Wm McIvor and Son would like to congratulate all connections of Moyenne Corniche after it lands the Ebor for customer Brian Ellison.
Betfred Ebor (heritage handicap) 1m 6f, turf, 3yo+
BRIAN ELLISON won Europe's richest handicap for the first time but it was 25-1 chance Moyenne Corniche, ridden by 3lb claimer Dale Swift, and not leading fancy Saptapadi who came out on top.
The six-year-old had won just a maiden at Newbury back in 2008 worth £5,000 prior to this but he boosted his connections' coffers by almost £131,000 as he swooped late under Swift.
In doing so he became the first Yorkshire-trained horse Far Ahead in 1997 to win the race and give his jockey by far the biggest success of his career to date.
Royal runner Tactician rallied again under Joseph O'Brien to get up for second, Investissement finished third while Modun just edged out his half-brother Saptapadi to finish fourth.
O'Brien's mount had led from the off in the 1m6f race until he was headed racing down York's straight. Having looked like being swamped by the pack he found a second wind to get back into a challenging position, only to see his chances shattered by Moyenne Corniche who banished the memories of his below par performance on his last start.
Swift said: "We didn't go a great gallop, it was just nice enough and he was not too keen early on. He settled nicely enough and we had all the luck in running and he got the gaps when he needed them."
Although the market had suggested that Moyenne Corniche would merely be making up the numbers Ellison had been bullish amount the chances of both of his runners prior to the race and his faith in Swift's mount proved to be well placed.
After seeing him win by a length Ellison said: "Moyenne Corniche and Saptapadi have been working together and I couldn't see them out of the first four.
"Moyenne Corniche has to be ridden from behind and loves a bit of juice. Saptapadi got lit up and was too keen, if we'd dropped him out he probably would have won.
"It was a great result and it's nice to win a big one."
Nicola Wilson Retains Scottish Open Championship Title at Blair International Horse Trials
Nicola Wilson retained her Scottish Open Championship title for the third time at Blair International Horse Trials at the weekend. Having won the Championship title in 2009 and 2010 riding Opposition Buzz, Nicola this year was riding his half brother, Bee Diplomatic, both horses being owned and bred by long-time supporter Rosemary Search.
After lying third in the dressage phase, Nicola and Bee Diplomatic incurred five show jumping penalties, but with a fast clear around a testing cross-country course, the Scottish Open Title was theirs, "I am thrilled that Bee Diplomatic is proving to be an exciting horse and a good back up to Opposition Buzz and obviously delighted for Rosemary who bred them both", says Nicola.
In the CCI*** competition, Nicola and her new ride, Looks Similar finished in sixth place, a result that pleased Nicola, as it was their first major competition together and can now look forward to cementing their partnership over the coming months.
Nicola was also thrilled that Head Girl, Lynn Swift and groom Carrie Myatt were awarded the grooms prize that is presented for the best turned out horse in the CCI*** competition.
Nicola and Opposition Buzz will be representing Britain at the Senior European Eventing Championships that are being held at Luhmühlen, Germany this weekend. (25th – 28th August 2011).
"Winning the Scottish Open Title again is a great boost for the whole support team at home and my sponsors and I hope it bodes well for this coming weekend", says Nicola.
Nicola and Opposition Buzz have been part of GB gold medal winning teams at the 2009 European Eventing Championships that were held in Fontainbleu and the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.
This year the combination were seventh at Badminton Horse Trials and part of the victorious GB team at the World Equestrian Festival in Aachen.
The European Eventing Championships is the last senior eventing Championship in Europe before the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Champion Jockey Paul Hanagan after a winning ride on Bountiful Girl at Thirsk on 9th August 2011, in the colours of owner and friend David Barker, who is sponsored by Wm McIvor and Son.
Nicola Wilson Selected to Represent Britain at the Senior European Eventing Championships 2011
Nicola Wilson, riding Opposition Buzz have been selected to represent Britain at the Senior European Eventing Championships that will be held at Luhmühlen, Germany (25th – 28th August 2011).
Nicola and Opposition Buzz were part of the gold medal winning team at last year's World Equestrian Games in Kentucky and were seventh at Badminton Horse Trials this year.
Nicola and Opposition Buzz who was part of the victorious GB team at the World Equestrian Festival in Aachen last weekend said, "I was over the moon when I received the phone call from Yogi! The first step of the process has begun and it is so exciting to think that in less than a month, all being well, we will be heading to Germany for the Europeans. I am so pleased that we have been selected as he (Opposition Buzz) has been such a consistent horse, it's just lovely for our whole support team at home and my sponsors".
The European Eventing Championships is the last senior eventing Championship in Europe before the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Wm McIvor and Son have 20% off for Pony Club Members
Wm McIvor and Son have 30% off Joules Products
Annie Clover Thrills Nicola At Houghton Internation Horse Trials
Nicola took Annie Clover to Houghton Hall International Horse Trials to compete in the CCI** competition, who had been in fantastic form and is coping with the step up to Intermediate level really well so while Nicola was quietly confident about the questions on the cross-country course that Annie would have to tackle, Nicola was also aware that she is only a 7 year old and is it quite early in her career to be running in a CCI**.
After performing a lovely dressage test for a score of 45.3 they were in 4th place going into the cross-country phase, which after walking it, Nicola felt there was alot to jump for an inexperienced horse. "I cannot tell you how proud I am of her, she was absolutely amazing, going clear inside the time, she was so brave and galloped so easily" said Nicola, who took the long route at fence 8, otherwise the mare ate up the course and thoroughly enjoyed herself – Nicola was in shock how fantastic Annie was that left them in 3rd place overnight. Annie show-jumped really well, just having four faults, which dropped them down to a final 5th place, but Nicola was thrilled the way Annie had performed.
The aim for this season is to return for Le Lion d'Angers for the 7 year old World Championships, which after the performance at Houghton; Nicola hopes they will be invited to go.
Bee Diplomatic Shows A Clean Pair Of Heels At Bramham International Horse Trials
Bee Diplomatic was in great form at Bramham International Horse Trials, where he were competing in the CCI*** section. After a lovely dressage test, he flew round the cross-country course, which was a difficult course with plenty of room for error, Nicola was thrilled the way he cruised home, still full of running at the finish line.
Show jumping has been Bee Diplomatic's weakest phase, but he saved his star performance to jump clear in front of an appreciative Yorkshire crowd.
After his unfortunate time at Badminton, where he banged his stifle at The Farmyard and Nicola had to retire him, it was fantastic for him to finish on his dressage score of 49.3 and that he felt so confident and positive. Nicola believes Bramham is the NEW Badminton, as the event just gets bigger and better!
Current Offers from Wm McIvor and Son
Wm McIvor & Son are now official stockists of the Point Two 'ProAir' Jacket
As well as the obvious protection from shock absorption, the jacket distributes pressure and above all, effectively supports the spinal column so that the neck and trunk have limited movement.
The Lanyard of the jacket connects with the nylon stirrup straps at the front of the saddle. After you have mounted the saddle, you clip the two ends together. The Lanyard enables full movement in all directions. The airbag will only be activated if you are separated from the horse. The airbag jacket will then inflate within 0.1 seconds, protecting all important areas of the body, the collar of the neck, ribs and coccyx.
This means that your jacket will be fully inflated after activation in 0.1 of a second, so should inflation begin from as little as 25cm from the ground your Point Two Air Jacket will be inflated before you impact the ground.
The jacket is completely reusable by replacing the CO2 gas cartridge. The highly resistant polyester fabric Jacket or Gilet can be brushed or sponged down to remove stains.
Special Offer from WINERGY Equilibrium
Sponsored rider Pip Tutty has been busy after recently recieving an invitation from FEGENTRI International Federation of Gentlemen & Lady Riders to compete at their international festival in Quatar.
In an extremely tough series Pip managed best placed third but enjoyed the experience immensely and will benefit from the experience in the future. Back at home on more familiar pastures Pip, along with her parents and sister have had an excelent point to point season, which has resulted in these winners at the following meetings.
Brize Norton - Hurworth 2011
Blandings Castle - Bedale 2011
Brize Norton - Cleveland 2011
She has also been picking up lots of rides under rules as well
Elusive City Colt Wins Maiden by Six Lengths
The Richard Hannon-trained Magic City (Elusive City) was well backed in the run up to the Eric Penser Bank Maiden at Newbury on Friday, and he repaid his supporters with a taking performance that makes him look a candidate for the Group Two Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
Owned by former trainer David Barker, the son of Elusive City, a €12,500 yearling, strode out well in a prominent position before kicking for home two furlongs out. He sprinted readily clear and won well, despite hanging left and having to be corrected by Richard Hughes.
Signifer struggled with pace over this 5f trip but stayed on well into second, beaten by six lengths. Letsgoroundagain was another eyecatcher in fourth, really finding his stride in the final furlong to finish best of all.
Nicola Wilson and Opposition Buzz Finish Seventh at the Mitsubushi Motors Badminton Horse Trials 2011
Nicola Wilson and Opposition Buzz turned in three great performances to finish seventh at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials 2011.
After a fantastic dressage test that earned them a mark of 44.0 penalties, which was a personal best in this phase for Opposition Buzz, it left the combination in twelfth place going into cross-country day.
It was a joy to watch as both Nicola and Opposition Buzz were foot perfect around a big and technical track and were only one of six combinations to go inside the time, which moved them up the leaderboard to third place going into the final showjumping phase.
The rigours of the day before, certainly hadn't taken anything out of Opposition Buzz, as he was rather excited and strong and did not give Nicola an easy ride at all, and with one show jump fence down, it dropped them to a final seventh place.
Nicola says, " Although I am slightly disappointed with the final result, if someone had told me earlier in the week that we would be awarded a dressage mark of 44.0 to lie twelfth going into the cross-country phase, I wouldn't have believed it. As ever, he was a privilege to ride across country and we were just that bit unlucky in the show jumping. However, we have achieved our Olympic qualification for next year and I will continue to build towards that".
Nicola also rode Bee Diplomatic, a half brother to Opposition Buzz, both bred and owned by Rosemary Search. After a slightly tense dressage test, he was giving Nicola a fabulous ride on the cross-country phase, when he banged his stifle on the second corner of The Farmyard complex and Nicola took the decision to retire him from the competition. He is absolutely fine and will be out competing again in the very near future.
"I would like to thank all my owners and sponsors for their incredible support, says Nicola, without them I wouldn't be able to ride and compete at the level I do".
New Sponsorship
We proud to announce that we have agreed to sponsor long time customer and friend David Barker as we thought it would be beneficial to 'give a little bit back'.
The former trainer of Celtic Mill has ten horses in training, with seven different trainers; Kevin Ryan, David Nicholls, Paul Midgley, Richard Fahey, Michael Dods, John Quinn and Richard Hannon, five of whom are longstanding Wm McIvor & Son customers.
Look out for the horses (listed below) some of which will have David's colours emblazoned with our logo, MCIVORS.CO.UK, whilst the staff leading up the other horses will wear Wm McIvor & Son T-shirts and jackets.
We would like to wish everyone connected with all the horses the very best for the forthcoming flat season.
| K Ryan | - Revitalise - Indepub |
| D Nicholls | - Mister Tancred - Brave Battle |
| R Fahey | - Bountiful Girl |
| P Midgeley | - Tancred Spirit |
| M Dods | - Meccas Team* |
| JJ Quinn | - Mr Wolf* - Zaplamation* |
| R Hannon | - Fisher - Magic City |
* Denotes that the horses do not run in David Barker's colours.
Allertonshire School, Equestrian Success!!
Back in November of 2010 the school show jumping team were looking forward to the National Schools Equestrian Championships. They had qualified in only their first year as a team. These were meant to take place in December but due to the great British weather they had to be re-arranged for January.
Jason at McIvors kindly agreed to sponsor the girls and presented them with great personalised sweatshirts and support with extras they needed.
The journey was a long one, down to Addington Manor near Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire. The weekend was not without its problems which included a horse loosing a show in transit, a car not starting and a parent ending up in hospital! But in true northern style the girls did their first round outside in the wind and out of 15 teams from all around the UK came 7th. We were the only state school! This meant that we were through to the last eight and had to jump again in the indoor arena later that day. With the bit between their teeth they were even more determined to do well than before.
The 8 faults from the first round were carried forward but with 4 excellent rounds only 4 extra faults were added after the second round. We waited whilst the other teams completed and then came the overall results. We listened as they were announced in reverse order and couldn't believe our ears when we had gone up 4 places to 3rd!!! It really is an amazing achievement and one all involved will remember for a long time.
On our return Jason wanted to arrange something else for the girls and they will be meeting Nicola Wilson of Olympic Eventing fame to chat and pick up tips next week.
Our thanks obviously to Jason, the school PSGA who helped with the cost of transporting the horses and the girls' parents, without whom the whole experience would not have been possible.
The Nicola Wilson Indoor Equestrian Challenge
The Nicola Wilson Indoor Equestrian Challenge that took place Richmond Equestrian Centre on Sunday, 30th January was a huge success, judging by the number of riders that took part.
The competition, which was mixture of cross-country and show jumping fences, was a test of skilful riding, but also educational and fun for both horse and rider and the winner was the rider with the least jumping penalties and nearest the optimum time.
The five classes ranging in height from 65cm – 1.05m with each class named after one of Nicola's top event horses were all full, with the most popular being the 85cm that had 75 entries.
The course, which was built by Keith Macvittie also included an Opposition Buzz fence, which included an optional hazard that incurred extra time penalties if negotiated.
Nicola, who was on hand to present the prizes said, "I know how much hard work was involved in making this competition happen and I would also like to thank my sponsors, Top Spec, Wm McIvor & Son and Bedwell Bedding in providing such fabulous prizes to the riders, it makes such a difference to them".
The winning rider in each class won an individual lesson with Nicola that will be taken at Richmond Equestrian Centre.
Class results are available from www.richmondeqestriancentre.co.uk
Grass Roots
"Four young showjumpers from Northallerton have won their way to the finals of a national competition just over a year after their comprehensive school equestrian team was formed.
Abby Robinson, 13, from Danby Wiske; Beth Keen, 14, from West Rounton; Jemma Alderson, 14, from Girsby and Laura Foster, 14, from Great Smeaton, came third in their first National Schools Equestrian Association showjumping competition and at their second contest they came top. Their success qualified them for the national championships at Addington Manor in Buckinghamshire.
The girls, from Allertonshire School, are trained by Eleanor Mercer, who runs an equestrian centre based at Camp Hill, near Bedale. They all ride their own horses and managed to attract sponsorship from local equine and agricultural supplier William McIvor and Son after Laura wrote a letter asking for help.
The young riders were just 12 and 13 when they qualified in March and while Laura and Beth now go to Northallerton College, they are allowed to compete at this weekend's finals."
To view the archived news from 2010 click here.
To view the archived news from 2009 click here.