Jesse Linton rides Kings Larkin, Glistening Waters ESNZ Series Final Show Copyright Photo: KAMPIC / Kerry Marshall

 

Jesse Linton reckons Kings Larkin has more than earned the ESNZ Eight-Year-Old Series title. He rides the horse, who is by Lansing out of Mary Larkin, for the breeder Kelly Smith.

“He’s been tapping on the gate for a while,” said Jesse. “He’s got all the talent, is kind and brave, and it is nice for a horse like him to win.”

It was never the plan to chase the series, with Jesse and Kelly’s focus firmly on doing what is right for the chestnut gelding. “The bigger picture is always in mind.”

Twenty-nine-year-old Jesse first rode the horse as a five and six-year-old with Kelly taking over for his seven-year-old season before returning to Jesse for 2021-2022.

Jesse says the horse has a lot of jump in him. “He can be a little tricky on the flat but is an all-round lovely horse. This season he has had some good success at Grand Prix level. Gisborne’s January show was his first outing and he was second with a double clear. Time is on his side and I have no doubt he will be even better next year.”

Jesse is based in Hastings with Greg and Kim Best. “Their property certainly helps the horses a lot. We have 80 acres of flats a bit of hill and a river – without that and the support of Kim and Greg, my job would be really difficult.”

He thrives bringing youngsters through. “All I have ridden is a lot of young horses so I have learnt to assess them all differently and manage them. I am never chasing series.”

That said, Jesse has won a few series before.

 

Results –

ESNZ Eight-Year-Old Series: Jesse Linton (Hastings) Kings Larkin 21 points 1, Oliver Edgecombe (Waipukurau) Fiber Fresh Chesall 7 2, Sam Whale (Hampton Downs) Fleur De Lacour 4 3, Julie Davey (Hastings) Just D 2 4.

 

For full results, head to www.evoevents.co.nz

The Jumping Team 5 May 2022