the Immortal Shutterfly

L

lucretia

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 January 2008
Messages
4,829
Visit site
won the grand prix in stuttgart. you know the next time there is a conversation about the greatest showjumper (horse) currently on the planet, i think it should start with the phrase "apart from shutterfly who......" IMO the horse is a complete legend.
wink.gif
 
You know what, he doesn't do anything for me either.
blush.gif
He is clearly fantastic but just not the same character and presence as Milton.

I actually love her second horse Checkmate more than the Immortal Shutterfly and Jessica's Libertina is one I like to see beating the world anytime, she is an out and out superstar.
 
maybe he isnt a 'personality horse' but you know why i admire him so much? its because in these days of modern showjumping when the poles are lighter, the cups shallower and the tracks ever more technical, the horse still keeps coming out and beating the best. it is a shame he missied out in hong kong but he has contested virtually every major show for years and still keeps winning. There are very few horses EVER in the history of the sport with a record like his and even less jumping now. That is why i think the horse is such a legend.
 
I definately think credit needs to go to Meredith too - I've read on numerous occasions that he's not an 'easy' horse so I think when mentioning Shutterfly we need to praise her too
grin.gif
 
It's interesting how sensitive he is. Meredith said it took a long time to get his confidence back after he got so agitated in the change of rider format of the World Champs (looked to be the change of saddle that upset him rather than change of rider!). She doesn't ride him in presentations - I think it was Le Mans that she took in yesterday. I do wonder how he would have fared with a different rider.
 
definately. like all the best horses its a partnership isnt it?. the trouble is with top flight sowjumping (i have discovered only recently) is that it is so big and technical now and the classes so huge that a tiny distraction can mean the difference between first and foutieth even if it only costs one pole.
as for the world championships well it is fair to say the easy horses to ride do better in the final because of the above reasons i should think. thats why it is so hard to win on a really sensitive horse. look at Boomerang in the past.
 
Too true Lucretia :-) On a seperate note, REALLY looking forward to the FEI Champs in August next year - should be a chance to see some top flight competition outdoors.........
grin.gif
 
There's also been the suggestion that Meredith's education combines two very strong sj systems so she has "lots of tools in her box", so to speak - a big advantage with such a tricky horse. I'd definitely say he's one that could have gone either way.

Fantastic horse, well produced. What more can you say?

It does add fuel to the people who want to think "quirky always = great" though. A very questionable idea, since most good ones aren't horrifically difficult and most awful ones aren't great. He's definitely an exception rather than a rule!
 
Yes, Meredith looks to combine the best of both American and German horsemanship, and she's no "one horse wonder". I first saw her years ago riding a super little mare called Stella most impressively, and of course she's had plenty of success with Checkmate and Le Mans (sometimes ridden by her husband). Shutterfly is owned by an American - how sorry USET must be not to have their services!
 
Sorry, I didn't mean that at all. I don't think anyone can quibble with the success of their system! She was an impressive and highly though of rider even as a Jr. More just a general comment that particular horse may have flourished in part because she isn't wedded to one particular approach.

In fact I think many (most) of the top riders now combine the best of what's out there. The "hunter challenge" in Las Vegas and the number of promising young riders who are sent specifically to train in whatever system(s) they didn't grow up in (various Whitakers and the number of North Americans who have ridden for the likes of Tops, Schokhemole etc. come to mind) would suggest most people take the global view.

Hickstead is also owned by an American - I wonder if anyone's working on a rule change!
wink.gif
 
What is a 'personality horse' ?
What's for sure is that Shutterfly is an extremely difficult horse. Our farrier knows him well and according to him he is one challenging horse. One that never surrenders and keeps his rider on her toes. Very tricky to manage and to get him to reveal the best in him. Defo not the most obvious as endearing horses go but still a 'personality horse' imo.
Love these rebel horses
grin.gif
 
Amazing horse, I have a half brother of his, and he is a darling, he also was a showjumper but did his tendon, so they gave him to me, rather than shoot him. After treatment and cuddles he is sound in all basic paces and we are enjoying retirement together, after only 8 months. He is an angel, this is a great line.
wink.gif
I love him, yes hes quirky and can be cheeky, always testing you, he also hates the farrier; rugs and puddles, (we live in Andalucia, Spain, so we dont get many.... but as long as you are aware of this no problem, he is a sweetheart and I will never part with him.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top