Sutters Pride | Talented Chilli Adored by All

Sutters Pride is a 2009 Sutter Hanover USA gelding who began his pacing career in 2012. After six starts under the guidance of Peter Fairless, Sutters Pride was retired from racing soon after his final start in 2013.

Following his racing career, Sutters Pride – or Chilli, was purchased by Carina Matthews in 2014. Carina had Chilli broken to saddle, although never rode him. During his time with Carina, Chilli attended several in-hand shows and began his introduction to an off the track life.

Three years later, Chilli was rehomed to Veronique Vanderklift, who fell in love with the handsome gelding immediately upon meeting him.

“My dream was to own a beautiful black horse with a good personality. There was this advert on Gumtree of a black horse, and I just knew Chilli was the one I needed as soon as I saw him in his paddock. It was the way he moved and looked at me,” recalled Veronique fondly.

With Veronique, Chilli was introduced to arena work, trail riding, beach outings, pole work and jumping. Following this, Veronique sought out the help of another to assist in establishing the canter.  During this period, the pair joined Adult Riders Club and enrolled in several ARCA Challenges, Pony Club events and low-level eventing starts up to 80cm. Although Chilli was initially quite an energetic and sensitive horse, he has since developed into a well-rounded mount.

Veronique and Chilli have had many successes in their several years together, with wins in 2020 for Tetrathlon, wins in the 65cm Adult Riders class at the 2021 WAYER International Horse Trials, and placing fifth in the Eventing WA Adult Riders Leaderboard for 2021. This combination also won the Best Performed Standardbred at the 2021 Spring Dressage Challenge. Since then, Chilli has been enjoying a well earnt spell and has only recently returned to light work. Veronique and Chilli have joined a local working equitation club and hope to begin liberty work and establishing a stronger connection.

OTTWA wish Chilli and Veronique all the best for their 2024 together.