A dream pairing: Grassendale Xtreme & Hannah Roil

When a horse bred by Xtreme Sport Horses finds the right partner, the results can be quite special. Grassendale Xtreme, ”Gorilla”, is proving exactly that with young rider Hannah Roil, who has taken the talented gelding up the levels with impressive success.

”Before getting Gorilla I had only had one pony which we competed in the 90/1m classes. Getting Gorilla was a bit of

a step up for me but we clicked pretty much straight away and he has been the perfect horse to take me up the heights and teach me so much!” Hannah says.

Although she was initially searching for something more established, once she found Gorilla the plans changed.

”We were looking for my first horse after moving off ponies and do junior rider on. I got him when he was 5 and we weren’t looking for a young horse but when we tried him we just fell in love with him. He was just incredibly kind and willing to give anything a go.” Hannah says.

Since then, the pair has developed into a competitive combination in the young horse classes as well as in the young rider, with Gorilla showing both talent and consistency in the ring. One of their standout moments came at the National Young Horse Show, where they finished second in the competitive 7 yo class.

”He jumped incredibly all week jumping 3/4 clear rounds. He definitely has exceeded all our expectations of how much jump he has and taking me up the heights, this season he has just blown us away stepping up so confidently to the 7yr old classes.”

Away from the arena, Gorilla’s character has played just as big a role in their partnership. Hannah credits their early days hacking around the farm as key to building the bond that now shows in the ring.

”Our favourite thing to do at home is just go for a big hack out on the farm, I did this a lot when we first got him and it was the best way to get to know him as he loves it.”

What began as a step up from ponies has quickly turned into something more. Gorilla Xtreme has exceeded expectations, showing scope and confidence as he moves up the levels.

Here are some of the impressive achievements by the pair this season:

CHB A&P - 🥇 Junior rider

Taranaki - 🥇 Junior Rider & 🥈 7 yo

Wellington-Horowhenua SJ - 🥇 7 yo

Feilding A&P - 🥈 Junior rider & 🥈 Horse mini prix

National Young Horse Show - 🥈 7 year championship & 🥈 Junior rider

Cartown Kiwi super classic - 🥇 7 yo & 🥈 Junior rider

Dannevirke world cup show - 🥈 7 yo

Eastern bay show - 🥈 7 yo & 🥈Junior rider

Taihape show - 🥇 7 yo & 🥉 Junior rider

Seeing horses like Gorilla thrive with their riders is exactly what Xtreme Sport Horses aims for, talented, rideable horses that grow with their riders and open the door to bigger ambitions.