Team Pegasus Update – Donovan Showjumping

Donovan Showjumping had its fair share of knocks early this year, according to Chadd Donovan. Read his full update below.

Most notably, Noblewood Park Conchetta, our super little mare that is a true family member, got badly injured. While spelling in a paddock over the summer break, she got kicked in the throat and lacerated her esophagus. This was an extremely rare injury with little case literature for the veterinarians to fall back on. As a way of bypassing the esophagus to help the wound heal naturally, she was not allowed water or feed. Conchetta was therefore on intavenous fluids and was given a gruel nasogastrically three times a day to keep her calorie intake adequate. This went on for four weeks, but in true Conchetta fashion she came through this traumatic experience with strength and resilience. She is now back competing and has already placed in several classes for Ailish.

The other horses, however, have been going very well. Angus and Chicago are starting to really form a great partnership. They have progressed to Young Rider Classes at 1.25m. Angus had his most successful show to date at Yalambi in March, winning the Young Rider Class with the only clear round and then claiming victory in the 1.20m Open Speed Class the next day.

Rebecca and I have done a horse swap this year. Rebecca is now riding Valyrian and really suits her. She also had a successful Yalambi show, winning the Novice Class. She has also consistently placed in 1.10m to 1.15m classes and is looking forward to seeing what this talented mare is capable of.

I took over the ride on Carpina to see if she was capable of making the next step up to the 1.30m to 1.35m level, and this amazing little mare certainly answered our questions. I won the first three 1.30m classes I started her in. She won at Swan River, WASJA, and Yalambi. She was also extremely unlucky to have the last fence down in the Yalambi Grand Prix at 1.35m. The sad part is that we have just sold Carpina to a very lucky junior rider in NSW.

I will now take a step back and concentrate on Contarli Costello, a very nice four-year-old gelding we have coming through. He has been to two shows and is jumping 1.00m classes, but it means a little while out of the spotlight for me until I get him cranking!

At the end of May, we have a two-day show at Swan River followed by another two-day show the very next weekend at Busselton, so it is a busy few weeks for Donovan Showjumping.

We feed our whole team Pegasus Liberty, as it provides our horses with the perfect balance between unparalleled nutrition, excellent body condition, and temperament.