This wonderful horse is a full brother to the multiple national and international winner, Dassett Choice, who we sold to America several years ago.
Despite having very little mileage as a 4 year old, JJ had impressive 5yo results at BE100 in 2019 with then jockey, Amelia Walker, gaining multiple top 3 places at BE events and BYEH qualifiers, qualifying him for the National 5YO Championships where they finished a brilliant 5th place! In 2020, he consolidated on his Novice mileage, despite having quite a late growth spurt. JJ was given time to develop as a rising 7yo, and Kate took over the reins after her maternity leave in the spring of 2021. The new combination enjoyed a successful return to competition with multiple Novice placing and an impressive double clear around their first Intermediate in the summer. They had a great trip up to Blair L2* and made absolutely nothing of their first 3* at the National 7YO Championships in October. Lesley, Kate’s mum, has always loved JJ and she purchased him for herself at the start of 2022, meaning JJ will be with team Dassett for the foreseeable future! JJ needed careful producing as an 8yo through 2022, but he had a very exciting year cruising around multiple 3* events, made child’s play of his first Advanced and was a class act at his Blenheim Palace’s prestigious 8/9YO CCI-S4*. In 2023, JJ placed at Intermediate level and finished an impressive 3rd place at Dassett Eventing’s very own prestigious 8/YO Advanced at Aston-le-Walls. His good form meant despite being only 9yo, he contested the CCI-L4* at Blenheim Palace, rather than the young horse class, and was pure class cross county to finish only a few places out of the money.
JJ has been in top form during 2024. But unfortunately JJ misread a ditch at both Bramham and Blair L4*, ending his days short and putting pay to some potentially exciting results. But he has had plenty of training in the interim and has been exceptional in all other areas. On his reroute to Ballindenisk CCI4*L JJ proved his class placing 3rd despite an extremely cheeky dressage test with lots of extra PSG movements!
JJ is an incredibly exuberant character and can be know for throwing some serious shapes, especially during the winter months! Team Dassett have taken great care to ensure this enthusiasm hasn’t manifested itself as “hotness”. JJ is developing into a true professional whilst competing, and despite being pretty horse shy in the warm ups (which can lead to some very tricky situations!), he often relaxes when it is finally his turn to compete. He jumps for fun and is an exceptional galloper, despite being fairly low TB%. Kate has produced this athletic horse tactfully, and as a result, their pair share a fabulous partnership.
