Amanda Madigan and Diamond B's latest Grand Prix horse, Vivienne.

© Cornege Photography

Grand Prix: Making the cut at Diamond B

By Roger Fitzhardinge

With the wealth of knowledge Helen Chugg has gained in her travels and life, and Amanda Madigan’s experience in the saddle, Diamond B’s dynamic duo prove over and again that logical and consistent training pays dividends. In the final part of this training series, we look at taking that important step to Grand Prix level.

Take Diamond B Vivienne, a Vivant mare that Helen bred from embryo through foaling to breaking in, to baby classes and right the way through to Grand Prix. Having just started her career at the top end of the sport, she has won the highest classes at the Sydney Easter Show and now the Chatham Park Grand Prix at the Summer Classic in Sydney. This mare has simply followed the systematic and simplistic jumping training set down at Diamond B Farm.
 
Reading through the training scale set down by Helen and all her experience brings us on to producing the icing on the cake, when all goes well, to start the horse in Grand Prix. From horses like Vivant, Conquistador, Navy Seal, Stretch, Scandal and Ego, to mention some of the international horses Helen has been a part of producing, and now Diamond B Vivienne, yet another product of diligent training...
 

Read the full article in our January magazine here.