Zipping to dressage victory in impressive style

AN impressive five-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by Karen Brown, of Hardham, near Pulborough, has started the 2010 season in style with an excellent performance at the recent Dressage Masters League 2010 at Hickstead.

Zippo RV was ridden by Emma Delauney in his first two affiliated novice classes at the event, winning the Novice 37SQ with 70.77 per cent and finishing second in the Novice 35S before judge Penny Hayward.

His effots enabled him to clock up 20 points in the 2010 series.

This was a particularly impressive performance because until this season Zippo had been competed only lightly, combining some events with his first seasons as a stallion.

Karen had been looking for a horse with quality and bought him as an unbroken three-year-old from Holland, having been impressed by his excellent bloodlines.

By Quattro, his mare has bloodlines which go back to Voltaire, so he is superbly bred.

Although Karen intends to event him, he has been so outstanding at dressage that many believe he is capable of being a Grand Prix horse.

Last year he qualified for the British Eventing Championship in dressage and during the winter he competed in British Show Jumping events and won a reasonable level of prize money.

Emma is Karen's dressage trainer and she was in the saddle at Hickstead because Karen has had two months off with a broken pelvis.

"Emma has helped me from the beginning with him. She is a fantastic dressage trainer.

"I am thrilled with his success. He is such a laid back stallion and combines his stud duties with competition well. He is also a fine looking horse.

"Last season he covered seven mares.

"I have kept a yearling for myself and two more foals are due in June, I also have some of his other stock here for people to see, and along with the mares that are due to foal down to him," said Karen.

Zippo is registered in the Anglo European Stud Book and was stallion graded last October.

His next dressage event is at Merrist Wood on Saturday and he will be eventing at Hambledon in two weeks time by Justin Clubley.

His first novice eventing engagement will be slightly later in the season at Mattingley.

Because he has such a wonderful temperament he is the ideal stallion for a sharp type of mare.

"People are welcome to come and see him, and also his stock here," said Karen, who has been involved with horses all her life.

Her daughter Atlanta (14) now rides as a junior.

Karen can be contacted on 01403 782517 or 07766733188 and people are welcome to go along and see the youngstock.