Event Reports

From a competitive class of sixty-seven a whopping thirty eight made it through to the jump off, leaving it wide open as to who would take the win. With a show of speed and accuracy Jack steered Diamante II in to first place with a lightening fast double clear in 30.20 seconds. Second was Allana Clutterbuck and Etoile Du Bary.

Course designer Peter Gillespie set a challenging test from the outset when only ten of the sixty-six initial starting combinations managed to produce a clear round for a spot in the jump off. Ronnie steered the 8-year-old dark bay gelding into the top spot when crossing the finish line in 35.43 seconds.

own Billy Gobi. With a field of determined riders, the first two rounds were closely contested with just eight combinations making it through to the final jump off. With lightning fast round, Lorraine steered her 5year- old grey mare to a triple clear in just 47.93 seconds.

8-year-old bay mare, Isn’t it Special. Seven combinations produced two clear rounds for a spot in the final jump off. Tamsin went on to jump Isn’t It Special around the track in 51.08 seconds to become the fastest treble clears of the day.

Earlier in the day the GB Children’s team had won their own Nations Cup and then the Pony team, riding under the title sponsor banner of Team NAF, came out and did the double! Winning with more than a fence in hand the team put in some superb performances with two of the team notably producing the sole double clears of the entire starting field. It was Henry Squibb, aged 14-years from Brentwood in Essex, with the 13-year-old stallion Kilcurry Dawn owned by Emily Fenn that produced the first double clear of the inter-nation competition. Their performance was foot perfect setting the team up from the start in an extremely good position to go forward with. Next to go Poppy Deakin, aged 15-years with the 11-year-old chestnut mare Armene du Costilg owned by Kerstin Deakin picked up an unfortunate four penalties in the first round before jumping a beautiful clear in the second. Sophie Evans, aged 14-years with the 11-year-old bay stallion Oscar Van De Beekerheide owned by ESM Equestrian came forward as the third rider. An unlucky touch of a fence and just outside the time allowed, in what was otherwise two great rounds, saw them pick up five penalties in each. Elissa Herrmann, aged 15-years with the 11year-old Dun gelding Lapislazuli produced an impressive clear in the first round and she entered the arena for the second time with considerable pressure on her shoulders to jump clear and guarantee GB the win. Taking the pressure in her stride she broke the finish line clear within the time allowed having produced a precision ridden round to return home with zero penalties to add and to become the only other rider to produce a double clear. It was a jubilant team that celebrated their win finishing on just four penalties ahead of nearest rivals Belgium.

More than 750 entries were catered for over the three days with Stuart Buntine’s crosscountry courses receiving much praise from competitors. Sections included BE80T through to BE100 Open, BE100 Under 18 and a special five-yearold section which attracted entries from leading names Andrew Heffernan, Ben and Sarah Way and Lincolnshire’s Ros Canter. In a closely fought section it was Sarah Way and Ditchford Explorer who ran out the winners finishing on their dressage score of 26.5 after a solid clear in the showjumping and cross-country. Leading after the dressage, Ros Canter and DHI Rock Dancer’s pole down in the showjumping proved costly as they claimed second place on 27.8. Sarah’s husband Ben came home in third with the attractive World On Fire, also finishing on their dressage score while Georgie Frow and Milton’s Star took fourth, a pole falling in the showjumping also proving expensive. At the end of the Bank Holiday Monday, Ros Canter was in the ribbons once again when heading the final BE100 section on Destiny. Again leading after the dressage on a score of 22, the Lincolnshire based rider then went clear showjumping and on the cross-country. The second day of Shelford also proved a busy one for Paul Burgess and his team when heading Section U. One of seven BE100 sections held over the event, Paul secured the leader board with Noble Son. Paul also took second in BE100, Section S on Colandro Rivie. Section T, BE100 fell to John-Paul Sheffield and Shannondale Aero, the talented 7-year-old bay gelding heading off Nina De Haas and Enola who finished in the runner-up spot.

The elements of rain and wind on the final day certainly added an extra test to the competitions. The JA Grand Prix was no exception as fences were blown down by gusts of wind, but three riders battled the elements over a tough, technical track with committed and dog-leg lines to provide a thrilling jump-off. Tabitha Kyle had three rides through, although her first Atomic Du Bary was carrying four faults from the first round under the A9 grand prix rules – a minimum of five in the jump-off. Atomic was out of contention when Tabitha followed with second ride Su and Gordon Hall’s Gangnam Style II to set a sizzling target. But on-form Henry sliced into the time. Using Kilcurry Dawn’s stride to cut across the ground and taking a risky turn into the final watertray oxer saw Brentwoodbased 14-year-old Henry edge ahead to take the lead by 0.65 seconds. Sophie Evans and the Oscar Van De Beekerheide tried a similar route and brought the last fence down – it was down to Tabitha to regain her lead on last ride Orchids Vienna. She was in contention all the way but the ultra-tight line to the final oxer was a gamble too far and the front rail fell leaving Henry to claim his second title in a fortnight and the leading rider award after claiming a second and third in the qualifiers.

Thirty-two keen combinations set out over the twelve-fence track and after two rounds just seven remained to contest for first place in the final jump off. He set an unbeatable time of 39.86 seconds, taking top spot with a triple clear.

Show recently riding Kaleche, a 6-year-old bay mare. In a class of seventy-four strong competitors, Ronnie jumped two clean rounds for his place in the jump off. With twenty-seven other competitors snapping at his heels, Ronnie rode with speed and accuracy to cross the finish with a triple clear in 36.43 seconds.

Classes were hotly contested from morning until night, showing varieties from Welsh ponies and youngsters, to heavy horses, hacks and veterans. Judges Karen Pickwick and John Osborne had their work cut out with full classes throughout the day. In the morning classes, Natasha Heaphy and Llanai Tiago won the In-hand M&M Small Breeds, followed by the Bay/Grey/Chestnut class, whilst the M&M Large Breeds was won by Amelia Short and her welsh cob Daichristu Flying Temptress. Amelia’s success continued with her other horse Shanbally Lucky Dip, who won the Ridden Hunter class followed by the Ridden Horse Championship. Sisters Rachael and Helen Hawes had a real winning streak with their two youngsters, topping the Small Youngstock class with Thisteldown Darling Buds, as well as the M&M Youngstock class with Llyndu Starlight. Both these ponies continued to wow the Judges, taking the Youngstock In-hand Championship and M&M Youngstock Championships respectively. The bay hack Wakefield Farm Sunset was led to victory by handler Tom Saunders in two of his morning classes; those beautiful paces landed him with Overall Reserve Supreme In-hand

later on. Winners of the Ridden SP/SHP went to Steph Ryder-Bayes’ lead rein Windbush Medallion, with her son Oscar on board. This prolific trio continued their winning streak taking the Open Pony class, up against the adults! At 5pm sharp the evening performance started with music filling the arena. The earlier decided top six horses and ponies came forward for the Concours D’elegance final, and it was Maisie and her Dartmoor pony Moseley Diamond Celebration that clinched the Championship – delighted as it was her debut in wearing this outfit. Kate, always running inclusive events to get all involved, held a Supreme Championship in the evening for those whose day didn’t quite go to plan - known as the Time To Sparkle Championship. One of the winners was Jo Cullen’s homebred Pennydown Fire Queen, who at 2-years-old didn’t manage to settle in her morning classes, but wowed the Judges in the evening to win One For The Future Champion. Overall Supreme Sparkle Champion tallied another win for Maisie and Moseley Diamond Celebration. A line up of horses and ponies every shape, size and age filled the arena for the Overall Supreme Championship. A unanimous decision was made, and the Supreme Sash was awarded to the ever consistent Llanai Tiago, after winning both M&M Supreme and In-hand Supreme, who just came to life with the music playing. Reserve Supreme was won by Oscar and Steph Ryder-Bayes, with Windbush Medallion. And finally First Reserve Supreme was Holly Greathead and her fell pony Cheshirefells Black Beauty.

BRC streamed these virtual championships on their Facebook page alongside the BRC SEIB Novice Winter Dressage Championships with over fourteen hours of competition shown. Featuring the top three riders in each of the fifty-eight separate arenas, totalling 174 dressage tests, ranging from Intro (Walk and Trot) to Advanced Medium, for both junior and senior teams and individuals. These videos have received over 6,600 views. “This has been a huge undertaking and the whole team worked incredibly well to ensure a seamless production for our riding club members. In all we had over 1,250 entries, running across the 58 arenas, with 29 dressage Judges marking the all-important tests, giving great feedback to the riders. We are thrilled to have been able to run this competition for those riders who had already qualified and hope that everyone enjoyed taking part, we saw some fabulous arenas and backdrops which we would not normally get to see. This is certainly one of the largest virtual equestrian competitions we are aware of,” said Rachael Hollely-Thompson, Head of BRC. Following the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 BRC HorseHage & Mollichaff Intermediate Winter Championships due to the Covid pandemic, BRC set to work hosting these virtual championships for those riders who had already qualified across the UK in their respective dressage classes. Davinia Kickham riding Divine San Siro from Atherstone & District RC lifted the overall Senior Novice 2020 title, with a score of 75.25%. The overall winner of the Junior Novice Winter Championships 2020 was Lilly Tailby riding Humbug from Misterton & District RC, finishing on a score of 76.20%.