Hawley Bennett-Awad Acquires Ride on Jollybo

Justine Dutton and Jollybo. Photo by Jenni Autry. Justine Dutton and Jollybo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Hawley Bennett-Awad has announced that she has acquired Jollybo (Jumbo – Polly Coldunnell, by Danzig Connection), a 12-year-old British Sport Horse mare formerly ridden by Justine Dutton and owned by Sport Ponies UK.

Jollybo has been campaigning at the Advanced and three-star level since 2015 with Justine, finishing in the top 20 in two CCI3* competitions, at Jersey Fresh and Galway Downs. She most recently finished third in the Intermediate at Virginia H.T. with Buck Davidson in the irons.

Justine made the decision to put Jollybo up for sale in order to help grow her business in Pennsylvania. “It was the best business decision for me,” Justine said. “It’s definitely been a mind-blowing past two and a half years with this horse, and I know I can look back and be proud that I produced her. I’m really looking forward to seeing Hawley and Jollybo’s success together — I think it’s a perfect pairing.”

Hawley had seen Jollybo at Galway Downs when Justine came to compete in the CCI3* and immediately recognized the talent the mare possessed.

“She’s definitely my type of horse,” she said. “I’ve never gone after an upper level horse or a syndication, so this has all been new for me. But I had some good friends step up to support me, and one thing led to another. The final push was when Buck (Davidson) called last week and told me to get on a plane to try Jollybo.”

After a whirlwind trip to Pennsylvania and back to try Jollybo, the deal was sealed and the mare was on her way to California. She’ll get started right away, running Preliminary at Copper Meadows this weekend and then Intermediate and the Advanced CT at the two Coconino events in July. From there, she’s aimed at the CCI3* at Rebecca Farm, where Coach Davidson will be there to provide advice.

“She is fit and ready to go. I’ll certainly be nervous as I haven’t jumped a big course in awhile,” Hawley said. “I plan to keep an open relationship with Justine, as she has done a phenomenal job of producing this horse and it’s obviously worked. I think keeping in touch with Justine is important in the success of the mare.”

Justine Dutton and Jollybo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Justine Dutton and Jollybo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

If the stars align, Hawley could potentially have three horses qualified for the World Equestrian Games in 2018: Jollybo, Carolyn Hoffos’ Seychelles and her and husband Gamal’s High Duty — a fact that she’s still pinching herself for.

“To be competitive at the upper levels, you really have to have multiple horses,” she said. “I can’t thank Carolyn Hoffos enough for trusting me with her fancy mare, and now with Jollybo it’s going to be really exciting to be back at that level.”

Hawley is currently seeking support for syndication as she once again positions herself to represent Canada on the world stage.

“I have big plans for Jollybo this fall,” Hawley said. “Having shares in what I feel is going to be a team horse for Canada will be a great experience. I think she will be a great horse for our country.”

“It’s really cool to be getting back to the world stage and have my eyes set on (the 2018 World Equestrian Games), especially since it’s in my home country. I have time to really get a bond going, and I just want to do right by Jollybo and make Justine proud.”

For more information on available shares for The Jollybo Syndicate, please contact Hawley via email.