INTERVIEW


preoccupied with eventing, so Icalled Tina and said Ihad a‘proper one’ forher to come and look at; the rest is history,but Iamsopleased that Imanaged to givesomethingback forall that theytaught me.” Also apatriot of British Breeding, Jayresidesat


Shilton Edge Farm in Oxfordwith his handsome, hero, NHS,frontline working, doctorboyfriend Edward.“I have hadseven foals through this year and Ihaveten mares going in foal fornext year,Edisamazing with the young horsesand mares and is agreat support on the ground”, says Jay. “Thereare so manygood horses to be bought in this country; it’s improvedso much, youdon’tneedtogotoIreland, Holland or Germany, it doesannoy me when people don’tsupport our British breedersfirst.” Covid-19 has frustratingly put the brakes on


forJay,asithas foreverybody in the equestrian world, but because of his unique insight and understanding through Edward,Jay unselfishly putsthe safetyofhis staff and the people that run the shows first.“We need to put things into prospective, people arestill getting sick and they arestill dying, we forget that alot of the judges and stewardsfall intothe vulnerable category”, says Jay. “I appreciatethatweall want to get going with our horses, but when people’slives are at risk we have got to get our prioritiesright.” With three exciting nine-year olds waiting in


the wings, including Aragon Z“Flint”, whom had an incredible 2019/2020,the disappointment of alostyearisundoubtedly huge.Flint is co-owned by Jay, Barbaraand DuncanArthurs. Lastyear the duo clocked asuccession of awe-inspiring wins, including the talent seekersatHOYS and the Al Shira’aa Grand Prix at Bolesworth. “He’s not the flashiest and youwouldn’thavelooked at him twiceinthe young horse classes, but from dayone hehas continued to surprise and exceed expectations”,saysJay.“He is the ultimate professional in the ring but canbetesting on the


ground, Ioncespent three days trying to catchhim in the field! I’dalwaysdreamtofwinning HOYS sinceIwas achild and AragonZmade this areality; he will alwayshavea special placeinmyheart.” Jayisalso ahighly respectedand sought-after


coach, famously training this year’s winner of PauCCI5*, LauraCollett. “I have trained Laura fortwo-years, although she also trains with Yogi Breisner.I alwaysbelievedthat she could win at Pau, and on London 52,itwas ashame about Mr Basshaving an unfortunatepole in the showjumping but Iwas overthe moon forher”, beams Jay. “Being part of such an amazing team is such an honour,Lauraisanincredible talent and an absolutemachine;ifIattributed justthe tiniest amount to her performancethenthat’s awesome.” Looking to the future, Jaystrugglesnot to let


his heart lead his head and is morethanaware he has to makemoneyinorder to survive. “Of course,I would love one daytomakeseniorteams


and be flying off around the world to competeat all the big shows,but at the same time Ihaveto makeabusiness of it”, says Jay. “Unfortunately, Ido wear my heart on my sleeve and admittedly, Ifind the business side of things difficult. Idon’t think there’squiteenough depth to my team at the moment to makeitwork at the top, so selling some of the older horses, and reinvesting that into the farm, is probably the mostsensible wayto go.There arethingsI also want to develop here, including building some young horse barns so I canextend the breeding side of the business. This year has given me achance to slow


down and viewthings slightly differently, although saying that, Iwas given the ride of a very talented marejustbeforelockdown, so who knows wherethatmay,ormay not take me!” T


ofindoutmoreaboutJayHaylimand


ShiltonEdgeFarmvisitJayHalim-Official Websitehttps://jayhalim.com


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WINTERSPECIAL2020


Forthe latestnewsvisitwww.centralhorsenews.co.uk


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