Access all areas… Emile Faurie and Tom Goode
AS I watch Tom Goode trotting around Emile Faurie’s vast indoor school riding an exquisite black mare, I wonder whether this is a glimpse into the future. Emile has described Iceland Girl, the mare in question, as “without a doubt the best four-year-old I’ve ever seen” and certainly this leggy, powerful mare is showing extraordinary promise under Tom’s skilful, sensitive riding. A daughter of the little-known Dream Boy son Ierland, “Ice” is something of a limited edition – Ierland only sired four other horses before his untimely death in 2016.
“She is the most exciting horse I’ve ever sat on,” confirms Tom, with a huge smile.
I can’t help but wonder how many other stars of the future I’ve seen during my morning spent with Emile and Tom at Emile’s Heath Farm, deep in the Oxfordshire countryside. Emile may be one of the UK’s most experienced grand prix riders, with three decades spent at the top of the sport and 11 championships under his belt – he keeps count – but here at home the focus is
