A 14hh traditional coloured cob has proved his worth in the dressage arena, making his advanced debut earlier this month (14 November).
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Cuffstown Rumble, known as Billy Wizz at home, is a 13-year-old Irish cob owned by Hertfordshire-based Sam Turner.
Sam bought Billy Wizz in 2007 as a hack and started doing dressage to improve his balance. He picked up the work quickly and soon moved up the levels.
“I used to find it very nerve-wracking in the warm-up watching all these big flashy horses — at one show someone thought Billy was my companion pony,” Sam told H&H.
“I want to show people like myself, who have an average pony or horse with not a great deal of money, that you can train anything to a good level in the dressage world with your head held high.
Billy Wizz on his way to winning an unaffiliated pre-intro at Aston Le Walls in 2012
“This year has seen us starting competing at advanced medium achieving 72.8% in our first freestyle and qualifying for the regionals, as well as 73% in the medium freestyle.”
The pair scored just under 60% in their first advanced test at the College of West Anglia and they will be tackling their second test at this level at Houghton Hall on Sunday (29 November).
“We are currently working on our three-time changes and canter pirouettes so fingers crossed we can get up to prix st georges,” said Sam, who added that the support of her friends and instructor Elaine Hazelwood has been invaluable.
“I try so hard to give Billy a fun life and keep him super fit — that way I get the best out of him.
”He still loves his beach holidays and pulling a sledge in the snow, especially if he can go fast. We still jump but gently and have fun doing sponsored rides.”
