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Horseytalk.net Special Interview
Nina Barbour

www.harthillstud.com

A son of Argentinus – also the sire of Nick Skelton's former top ride, Arko lll

– Arkol is known for his trainable attitude and athletic ability, already making a name for himself on the showjumping circuit with William Whitaker.

Arkol is known for his trainable attitude and athletic ability, already making a name for himself on the showjumping circuit with William Whitaker.

Harthill Stud partner, Nina Barbour, talks about her super talented stallion, Arkol.

1 – How did you come across Arkol originally?

I was at a show in Spain and saw him competing in the young horse classes in Valencia. He won all but the six-year-old classes that tour and was super consistent. Like all talented horses do he just caught my eye and attention and I thought he would be a great asset to the stud and team as a whole.

2 – How long have you owned him?

We bought him in 2013 so have had a year getting to know his character and temperament and we couldn't ask for more.

3 – Where he is currently at in terms of competition level?

He's been jumping the International seven-year-old classes with Will Whitaker which are 1.45m and has really started to show his scope at the higher level.

Arkol is known for his trainable attitude and athletic ability, already making a name for himself on the showjumping circuit with William Whitaker.

4 – What are your hopes for the future?

Very much to watch this very talented horse develop in his competitive career to the top-level. It would be great to see one of our stallions represent the UK. We have covered some very good mares with him too, so watching their development will be very exciting.

5 – How old are his oldest youngstock, do you have any?

Yes we have two 2014 born colts by him, who both have all the credentials anybody would look for in a young elite sports horse, we are delighted by them, above all in their remarkable confidence.

6 – What is he like to handle and deal with?

He is no trouble at all and has a very good brain for the rigours of modern day show jumping combined with his stud duties.

7 – What makes him special?

Arkol is very much a product of his bloodlines, and it is by no means an accident that he has all the attributes essential to a top class horse. He has so much power and agility that he does not find the sport difficult. When a horse finds something easy, they become confident in it, and to jump at the very top of the sport today a horse has to be incredibly brave.

8 – What are some of his major wins?

Arkol has done very well in the age specific classes. He won The British Showjumping National Championship for four-year-olds at the Scope Festival in 2011, he won the five-year-old series at Addington Manor, went on to win the six-year-old classes in Valencia. He has now made the transition to jumping up to 1.45m classes and already is earning points at this level.

9 – Nina – have you ridden him and what was he like?

I tried him before deciding to buy him, although the plan was always for a professional to ride him. I was amazed by how straight forward and scopey he was, and how easy he made big fences feel at only six-years-old!

10 – What is his weekly schedule?

Arkol's week runs very much around Will Whitaker's competition commitments and has been to a few top international shows last season as his third horse. Having now stepped up a level, he has to travel quite a lot, but takes his International life in his stride.

Arkol is known for his trainable attitude and athletic ability, already making a name for himself on the showjumping circuit with William Whitaker.

For further information contact Harthill Stud on (01829) 720775 or visit www.harthillstud.com

Interview sourced from www.harthillstud.com