Bert Bolton and Purple Sands at Bramham
The 12 year old thoroughbred Purple Sands gave Bert Bolton the ride of his life at Chatsworth International Horse Trials in May when the pair finished fourth in the Dodson & Horrell CIC3*, producing their best result so far.
Bert very nearly joined Chris Burton and Astier Nicolas in the elite club of just two that have finished the cross country under time at Chatsworth, when they completed with just 1.6 time penalties and, without 12 faults in the show jumping, it would have been a British victory for Bert and his fast ex-racehorse
“He’s definitely 4* potential” said Bert after they completed the cross country at Chatsworth “He has not made a 3* fence feel big yet and he made the course today feel easy. Nothing felt big so hopefully it is Badminton next year for us, fingers crossed”
At Bramham in June they had a 'a rollercoaster weekend' in the CCI3* U25 with a dressage personal best of 46.6 followed by a top class round on Ian Stark's testing cross country track, moving up into second place heading into the show jumping.
However, on Sunday morning, Bert says that 'The competition pressure took me by surprise and I didn't perform at my best, resulting in a disappointing show jumping round and dropping us down to 10th place. I was gutted. But as they say, it’s a journey!
With only 1.6 time penalties, Bert and Purple Sands were the fastest combination on the 3* course at Chatsworth apart from Chris Burton who produced an elusive double clear
Bert bought Purple Sands in the summer of 2012 as a horse to sell on but decided to keep him as they continued up the grades to 3* together and now he has a CCI4* in his sights
Twenty two year old Bert was brought up around Chatsworth but he spent four years working as Oliver Townend’s Head Rider in Shropshire before setting up his own yard. He is now based with Lucy Jackson where he has between eight and ten horses in work
“I’m mucking out more stables now than when I was with Oliver! I’ve got no staff, it’s just me but it’s starting to work well”
Purple Sands was not the only ribbon winner at Chatsworth with the six year old Ramiro B gelding Prince Ramiro finishing fifth in the Novice Section I and also winning the Derbyshire Life Trophy for the highest placed local rider from the county. With these good results at Chatsworth from his more established horses, a stable of young horses to compete and a winning smile that sponsors should love, Bert Bolton is one to watch for the future
Bert Bolton
Bert and Prince Ramiro at Rockingham Castle
