Following a solid score and placing in the CDN Prix St Georges on the opening day of the Brisbane CDI, Robyne Smith and Lord Larry came to the fore in the Open CDN Intermediate I, producing a smooth, mistake-free test that flowed seamlessly from start to finish — earning a winning score of 68.618%.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Robyne said, beaming with pride. “We’ve been knocking on the door for so long. Nothing else this horse has taught me more than patience and perseverance. I was only saying to my mentor, Jenny Gehrke, that I knew the breakthrough was close. Whether it would be this week, in two weeks, or a month’s time — I just knew it was coming.”
The test of his career
Reflecting on their Inter I performance, Robyne described it as the best ride she has ever had with Lord Larry.
“It honestly felt like I was simply riding around in a Preliminary test — it was that easy. He was with me the whole way, no arguments, no tension, just smooth and harmonious. That’s the way to do well: a clean, mistake-free test.”
The highlights for Robyne were the two good canter pirouettes that have been a bit of an Achilles heel for the pair. “They were as good as I can make them,” she explained. “Of course, in the trot work I could have asked for a little more closure and power, but it was about keeping it steady, calm, and correct. And that paid off.”
Breeding and background
Twelve-year-old Hanoverian gelding Lord Larry is by Londontime (Londonderry), out of Caro’s Girl by Coriolan, and was bred in Germany. With such bloodlines, it’s no surprise the horse has the talent to shine, but Robyne’s determination and careful production have been the key to unlocking his potential.
Alongside their Prix St Georges and Inter I performances, Robyne and Larry also placed fourth in a very competitive and high-atmosphere Intermediate I Freestyle on the Saturday evening — scoring 69.205% to cap off a very successful event.
For Robyne, this victory is more than just a score on the board — it’s proof that years of quiet perseverance and trust in her horse’s journey have been worth it. And as she looks ahead, there’s every indication that Lord Larry is only just beginning to show what he’s truly capable of.
