BROOKFIELD - Danica Cooke couldn't be happier with the results of this past weekend's Coveside Classic in Chester.
Cooke, who operates Horseplay Stables in Brookfield, walked away from the four-day show with two titles - the Stewart McKelvey 1.25m Grand Prix and Dexter Construction Hunter Classic.
"It was a big weekend to win those," said the 33-year-old, who has been riding horses since the age of nine.
Winning the grand prix title with 15-year-old Agent Scully was the highlight for Cooke.
"It was pretty special. This is her last year showing. You never know how they're going to feel at that age when they come out every day. It made for a good weekend and I'm happy that I have an older horse that's able to step it up when I need it to."
Along with the grand prix title, Cooke and six-year-old Barrington - owned by Brookfield's Katie Martin - also won the hunter show.
"I had 18 horses in the show in total and they all did really well," said Cooke.
"I'm really excited about the grand prix because it's the best jumping class in the Maritimes. There were 11 horses in the class."
With a total purse of $5,000 for the grand prix, it was to be distributed between the winners.
Because Cooke was only a rider in the hunter show, the prize winnings go to Martin, the horse's owner.
"With Agent Scully's winnings, it helps pay for her entries at other shows."
From May to October, Cooke shows horses almost every weekend throughout Nova Scotia and into Quebec.
Agent Scully, she said, is ridden year-round, aside for one month each year.
"I do some showing in Quebec and this is only her second show in the Maritimes this year," said Cooke, adding she saves Agent Scully for particular shows.
Thanks to riding horses for a living, it helps Cooke prepare herself for the competitions, such as the fourth annual event in Chester.
