competition news
Flying the flag for rider safety at glorious Gatcombe
The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) promoted the work of its members and drove home the importance of rider safety at the Festival of British Eventing, Gatcombe Park (4-6 August), where it enjoyed a high- profile presence as presenting sponsor for a 12th year. BETA supported the Pony Club Inter-Club Team Show Jumping, which was won by the Polden Hills branch, as well as the Pony Club Mounted Games. All riders who took part in these competitions – as well as Arena Eventing participants – were given a BETA goody bag when they visited the trade association’s stand for a riding hat or body protector safety check. Those in the Pony Club Show Jumping were also given a commemorative BETA stable
The Luxury Tweed Clothing Company trade stand won ‘Best In Show’
plaque.
This popular safety initiative was extended to Gatcombe visitors, who received a discount voucher giving them a 10 per cent saving on the price of a new hat or body protector when bought from a participating BETA retail member. As presenting sponsor, the trade association awarded the BETA Anniversary Cup – introduced in 2015 to mark its 10 years of sponsorship – to Alex Bragg as the highest-placed rider to complete the British Open Championship for the first time. The BETA stand remained a hive of activity throughout the event. Visitors entered the luxury BETA prize draw, with its £1,500 worth of equestrian clothing, feed and equipment, and nominated their favourite retailer for an SEIB
BETA Executive Director Claire Williams presents the Anniversary Cup to Alex Bragg
Retailer of the Year Award, which gave them automatic entry into a prize draw to win a leather Collegiate saddle. RoboCob and Duchess, two mechanical horses from the BETA stable, were on parade with the help of The Brooke volunteers, who collected funds for the charity in return for a ride. BETA also raised money for the Riding for the Disabled Association and Horseback UK with its doggy bandanas, which were handed out in exchange for donations.
As part of its support to the trade, BETA hosted its annual Tradestand Holders Breakfast, where the winners of the gold and silver standards in the BETA Best Stand Awards were announced. In the Lifestyle, Pet & Fashion section, gold was won by luxury accessory retailer Will Bees
Bespoke, The Luxury Tweed Clothing Company – which also won Best in Show – shoe and boot company Carl Scarpa, stove and woodburner specialist Knight Stoves and pet business Philomena London Pet Outfitters. Silver went to fashion boutique Moloh, giftwear company Polka Dot Pie, quirky womenswear store Gamebirds Clothing, country clothing company Lula Bo and furniture store Neptune. In Equestrian & Saddlery, gold was presented to retailer Townfields Saddlers, Dodson & Horrell and online retailer Uptown, while silver went to TopSpec and retailers Ayr Equestrian and Horses in Sport. In Food & Beverages, gold went to the Pulled Pork Trough and silver to Flaming Cactus Mexican Cantina.
World class field set to battle for Burghley title
Coming hot on the heels of the 2017 European Eventing Championships in Strezgom, Poland, this year’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials looks set to be an international affair. Many of the world’s leading riders will descend on the Lincolnshire town of Stamford for what is considered by many to be Eventing’s greatest challenge. More than 80 horses from nations spanning Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, USA and the UK will be competing for the substantial £90k first prize. The entry list includes many former winners; 2010 champion Caroline Powell is entered with two rides Onwards and Upwards and Spice Sensation, alongside 2009 winner and team GB member Oliver Townend, who has also entered two horses; Ballaghmor Class and Cooley SRS. Three-time Olympic gold medallist, Germany’s Michael Jung, who won at Burghley in 2015 and is currently ranked world number one is another who will be looking to leave with the prestigious Land Rover Perpetual Challenge Trophy. As always there will be a strong
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Antipodean presence, led by last year’s winner Christopher Burton riding Nobilis 18 and veteran rider Sir Mark Todd on Leonidas II. Australia’s Andrew Hoy is another former Burghley champion, who this year brings The Blue Frontier. While popular 2017 Badminton winner another British-based New Zealander, Andrew Nicholson will be striving to secure his place on the podium in his quest to achieve the Rolex Grand Slam. The event also sees 17 first time combinations. Young British riders include Lissa Green, daughter of two-time Burghley winner Lucinda Green along with Lincolnshire- based Sophie Brown and her home-produce ride Wil. A number of established international riders will also be visiting the Stamford horse trials for the first time including Ireland’s Clare Abbott, France’s Maxime Livio and Italy’s Vittoria Panizzon.
They’ll face strong competition from experienced combinations including the hugely popular Zara Phillips a former runner up at Land Rover Burghley, who this year will be riding her World Equestrian Games silver medal horse High Kingdom. Nicola Wilson, Kristina Cook and Piggy
French all members of Team GB will be travelling to Land Rover Burghley directly from the European Championships. Land Rover Burghley Event Director, Elizabeth Inman said: “The standard of entries is as high as ever this year and we look forward to welcoming some if not all of the European Eventing Championship medallists to Lincolnshire this autumn. As
always Mark Phillips’ cross country course will provide riders and horses with a true 4* challenge and we’ll see talented young riders such as Lissa Green, Harry Dzenis and Georgie Spence pitted against established campaigners including Oliver Townend and Michael Jung. With Andrew Nicholson focusing on securing the elusive Rolex Grand Slam, there is all to play for.”
Last year’s Burghley winner Christopher Burton and Nobilis 18
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