competition news
Atholl Estates 1.20m and 1.10m Scottish Championships
Blair Castle International Horse Trials has just announced the launch of the inaugural Atholl Estates 1.20m and 1.10m Scottish Championships. Over the years Blair Castle has relied on the support of the show jumping fraternity, in particular riders jumping in the 1.20m level and under classes, to provide an all-day interest for spectators and assist the organisers to meet their goal of embracing an all round festival of equestrian activities ranging from Highland ponies to the heavy horse Clydesdales. This year the organisers have introduced these championships, by special permission of British Showjumping, to provide a platform for exposure of potential horses and/or riders of the
Great Britain Pony Team win Nations Cup
in Hagen, Germany The four riders representing Great Britain were 14 year-old Millie Allen from Stockton-on-Tees with her father’s (Peter) 9 year-old bay mare Song Girl. They incurred 4 faults in the first round followed by a clear in the second. She was joined by Amy Inglis from West Sussex aged 15 years-old with Mandy Hall’s 11 year-old bay gelding Nils d’Hurl Vent produced a faultless double clear in her role as pathfinder.
Beth Adams, from Halesowen aged 16 with Some Like It Hot a 13 year-old chestnut mare owned by her mother (Julie) was the second member of the team who also produced a double clear. 16 year-old Beth Vernon from Mansfield with Falaza, the 11 year old grey mare that won Gold with at the Pony European Championships last year, incurred 8 faults in the first round with no need to jump in the second due to the team already having secured their winning position. Chef d’Equipe Clare Whitaker commended the team after the competition by saying “The team members have been absolutely superb, their performances were fantastic with the first three riders going clear in the second round meaning that our fourth rider Beth Vernon didn’t even need to jump. The depth of talent we have across our pony ranks has most certainly developed during the past year and we truly have a very strong pool of talent to select from this year. The team’s performance meant they were lying in 2nd place after the first round which saw them sitting just behind the Netherlands who had finished without penalties. However, 8 faults incurred in the second round meant that we managed to relegate them to third place with France moving up into 2nd place to finish on a total of 5 faults.
Please mention farm ‘n’ equine when replying to advertisements future.
The Championships involve qualifying rounds at Centres throughout Scotland with 40 riders going into the final which will take place on Sunday August 26. A total prize fund of £2400 is on offer for the final of the 1.20m Championship, while a £1050 prize fund is set for the 1.10m final.
Full rules of the Championships are available on the Blair Castle website and in the Blair Castle Showjumping schedule to be published shortly.
Dates of qualifying shows are as follows: SNEC, 7-8 July, The Cabin, 13-15 July, Ingliston, 19-22 July, Rowallan, 27-29 July, Dumfries Show, 4 August.
Record crowds witness ‘Great British Show’
The Bolesworth Classic (1 – 4 June) gave record crowds four days of action packed, Jubilee entertainment despite changing weather. With an array of International riders vying for the impressive prize money on offer, the three show jumping arenas were action packed and Saturday’s Eventing Grand Prix was a serious crowd pleaser. With hardly a viewing space left, commentator Steven Wilde had to resort to standing on top of a horsebox to get a clear view of the action! Local riders were in fine form, as the best of the North West turned out to support the event. Winsford based Ceri Strachan opened the role of honour by winning the first of 56 classes. Some of the International classes were also taken by North West residents including the Children on Horses European Trial, in which Holywell-based Morgan Carpenter came out on top. Wirral- based Emily Ward showed true class with King Mac rising to victory in the European Viewing Trials. Best of the
Grand National Winner Neptune Collonges parades to raise money for chosen charity Claire House.
Tina Fletcher in action.
Cheshire based riders was Anthony Condon and Northwich based Keith Shore also had a successful four days. The ‘home team’ had several successes over the weekend with Estate Director Nina Barbour picking up a placing in one of Friday’s classes. Part of the Bolesworth enterprise, Harthill Stud had a particular highlight when Lord Luis took the spoils in Monday’s finale - The Grand Prix – ridden by Nantwich rider Geoff Billington. Grand National winner Neptune Collonges made a sensational appearance in the Castle Arena in support of 2012 chosen charity Claire House. Crowds lined the arena to get a glimpse of the Hales’ National treasure who galloped in to Aintree’s impressive hall of fame. Friday’s glorious sunshine didn’t last, but despite Sunday’s relentless weather, The Jubilee celebrations went ahead as planned, despite the day’s show jumping classes having to be abandoned.
Equine Page 27
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44