equine news Blue Chip All Stars Academy
The inaugural episode of the Blue Chip All Stars Academy premiered on Horse and Country TV recently and was the first of a five part series that sees eight riders compete against each other to win a years’ sponsorship from Blue Chip Feed and to become the next video blogger for Horse and Country TV. Out of 130 video auditions, eight finalists were selected and invited to attend a training camp at the Talland School of Equitation in Gloucestershire, which is one of the premier riding establishments in the country. Every moment of the camp was filmed, including lessons and tasks, while contestants also revealed their thoughts and feelings to a special camera set up in the ‘Blue Room’.
The contestants were in competition throughout the camp, with each hoping to win the top prize – the chance to co-host an episode of H&C’s magazine show Rudall’s Round- Up, a year’s sponsorship from Blue Chip Feed and the chance to become video bloggers for the channel’s website. The show was not just a riding competition, although the finalists received lessons from some of the leading names in the sport, including Pammy Hutton, Charlie Hutton, Olympic event rider Ludwig Svennerstål, top show producer Jayne Ross, event and dressage star Daisy Coakley and Olympic gold medallist Carl Hester. The candidates also took part in a number of challenges designed to test their horsemanship knowledge and media skills, proving their worth as future video blogging stars.
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The finalists from our region are:
David Morris: 38 year old David, from Blyth, Northumberland, juggles his time between working as a barber, looking after his two children and riding his horse ‘Bam Bam’. “I wanted to be part of the Blue Chip All Star Academy to prove how determined I am to make it in the horse world, and to show the average person no matter where you come from or how much money you have you can make it if you work hard enough” expressed David. David, who only found his love for the sport three years ago, has since taken part in numerous unaffiliated dressage competitions where he hopes to progress up the levels. He feels the academy has hugely benefited him as a rider and a person. “Bam Bam, my horse, was amazing, never putting a foot wrong from the moment he left our yard to arriving back home afterwards.” “I wish I could do it all again. It was mentally and physically tiring, but I very much enjoyed the challenge” said David. David hopes to move up the levels in dressage and to start competing in affiliated events in the near future and is looking forward to the camp pushing him out of his comfort zone and increasing his confidence.
Issy Nami: At 20 years of age, Issy, from Harwood, Greater Manchester, is the youngest contestant in the Academy. Competing regularly on her 13 year old mare Gucci in affiliated dressage at Novice level, she hopes to progress to Elementary this year and fulfil her ambitions of becoming a professional dressage rider in the future, especially now she has earned the chance to train with
Charlie and Pammy Hutton. “I was in total shock! Words could not describe the feeling and I was so grateful that I had been chosen” confessed Issy. “There was so much that I loved about the show I’m not sure I could pick just one thing, but lessons with Pammy and Charlie Hutton have to be my favourite part. “I also loved that we had a chance to learn about all the different aspects of having a horse and the fact that we had so much fun filming it.” “I honestly loved all of it, although it was very tiring it was one of the best experiences of my life” said Issy.
Josh Noakes: 22 year old Josh, an architecture graduate from Rugeley, Staffordshire, has a string of young horses he is producing to event. “I wanted to be on the show because it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Eventing is a difficult and competitive sport and I thought this would be a fantastic way for me to get my name out there” expressed Josh. The 22-year-old brought his best horse, ‘Betty’ to the academy where the both of them were put through their paces. “Having the opportunity to be coached by amazing people like Pammy and Charlie Hutton, as well as Ludwig Svennerstal, and meeting Carl Hester was brilliant.” “I had a fantastic time at the Blue Chip All Star Academy, It was quite surreal to begin with being filmed all the time, but once I got used to it I felt much more confident on camera. “I met some incredible people and made lots of new friends – it was an unforgettable experience” said Josh.
The remaining finalists are:
21 year old Stephanie Hill, from Hope Valley in Derbyshire is currently studying for a degree in radiography and oncology. She competes in working hunter classes on her former show jumper, ‘Piggles’ who will be attending the camp with her. 36 year old Kelly Jewell, from Somerset shot to fame earlier this year when she produced her own equestrian parody video of the hit Adele song, ‘Hello’. She will be bringing her horse Dave, an ex- racer to the camp. Lucy Robinson, a 24 year old graduate of the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester and lives in Berkshire. She is bringing her horse ‘Bagel’ to the camp on whom she has been successfully competing at BE 100 level and her goal is to move up to Novice. Aged 22, Phoebe Ashenheim is studying for a BSc in Equine Science whilst also running her own livery yard in East Sussex. She competes Ghost, her six year old Warmblood mare in affiliated show jumping events up to discovery level and hopes to start venturing into the dressage world later this year. 27 year old Rhianydd Lee-Jones, is based in the Vale of Glamorgan, and after a hip injury three years ago put an end to her international polocrosse career, she turned to eventing and found she loved it! She is bringing her new horse Bob, and ex-racehorse, to the camp.
Each competitor also won a fantastic selection of prizes, worth up to £1500, which included: Blue Chip branded clothing One K Helmet A Bucas Rug
A KBF 99 Grooming Kit Euro-Star Clothing A selection of Horze horse boots Albion Bridle Easibed fork and branded products A range of Absorbine branded products
www.theequinesite.co.uk
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