Your stories: A partnership built to last

Chief has been more than just a competition partner to Holly Scrafton - he has been a lifeline, proving that the strongest partnerships go beyond the arena.

Holly first met Indian Leaf, known to his friends as Chief,  when their paths crossedat the same yard in 2012. Chief, who arrived as a hunter, had the attitude of being  ‘king of the yard’ and soon became known as ‘King Chief’. A few seasons later, the opportunity came up for Chief to find a new home and a good family friend suggested he would be perfect for Holly, though at first she wasn’t convinced: “We thought she was crazy - I had just sold my 14hh Connemara and was looking for a six-year-old, 15.2hh bay and Chief was an 11-year-old 16hh grey... and a swamp monster!” However, one ride was all it took for Holly to know he was the right horse for her.

After buying him in 2016, Chief was initially meant to be shared with Holly’s mum, whilst giving his young rider experience eventing at 80cm, but their partnership took them much further. “He took me to the most amazing places, including multiple national championships, showjumping at Windsor and eventing up to 100cm,” she recalled.

Beyond the rosettes and ribbons, Chief has been Holly’s rock, supporting her through the times she needed it most. In 2020, when she was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, her world changed. “My health was impacted massively when I was diagnosed. It was my first year of university and during the Covid pandemic, so it was really tough,” she explained. “Whilst I am stable and incredibly lucky not to suffer with symptoms to the extent that some do, the bad days still creep up on you. Through this, Chief has been a rock to me and I am so grateful that on the occasions I need it, he lifts his tail and goes, we’ve got this.”

Chief thrived in his work and gave Holly some incredible experiences, but by 2023 she felt that eventing was becoming slightly harder for him than it used to be. With dressage always being something the pair enjoyed, Holly decided to give  BD Club membership a try. “He’s the type of horse that needs a job in life,” Holly explained, “He was never going to be happy being sat in a field for the rest of his days. BD has offered a fantastic opportunity for us to carry on competing at our own pace in the most friendly and supportive environment.”

In their first competition, they won both classes and from there they qualified for the Petplan Area Festival Championships; this was followed by the 2024 Cavago Associated Championships where they narrowly missed out on a podium place in both the Prelim 15 – 19 Veteran Horse and Part-Bred Draught Horse classes. Holly made the trip solo, knowing her mum was only a call away if needed, but Chief was in his element. “In Chief's head, everyone is there to see him, so these events really boost his ego and spirit. To him it’s a West End show and he’s the lead role… think Rylan Clark and you’re on the right lines!” she laughed. “He might not have been bred for dressage or have flashy paces, but that hasn’t stopped him.”

More than just a competition partner, Chief has been a supporter, motivator and best friend. “I’m so glad he ended up on our yard nearly 13 years ago,” Holly said. “I’m so grateful my mum bought him, supported my dream and that we believed in our friend’s advice. He is our horse of a lifetime and it’s all just in a day’s work for him – to keep giving his absolute all even now makes him so incredibly special.”

The pair continue to look forward and make the most of life, aiming again for the Petplan Summer Area Festivals and Cavago Associated Championships later in the year. Holly also hopes to give dressage to music a try and is currently thinking along the lines of Peter Pan, as “growing up is overrated!”

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Photos © KB Photography