BLUE CHIP WINTER SHOWJUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2014
Monday 07 April 2014
.JPG "BLUE CHIP WINTER SHOWJUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2014")
Dreams and ambitions were realised in the 23rd year of the Blue Chip Showjumping Winter Championships 2nd-6th April held at Hartpury Arena in Gloucestershire.
Ecstatic teenager Chloe Winchester, 19 from Suffolk, achieved her biggest victory with the Blue Chip Grand Prix on her mother Gillian’s 11 year-old bay mare Avoca Valkyrie. In a classic ending, the pair took a flyer to the last in the final draw of the ten horse jump-off. “She’s so easy and always wants to please” she said. Nick Benterman (30) from Bedford took second with his own 10 year-old bay gelding Zorland D Volo ahead of Tina Fletcher (48) from Oxfordshire in third with Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham’s 13 year-old bay gelding Unique IX.
Manchester based Danielle Jolliffe (26) seized the Blue Chip Pro Challenge with her "horse of a lifetime" Explosief Van De Heffinck, a 10-year old bay stallion by Orlando owned by Danielle’s mother Jacqueline. “I trusted him to the last” said Danielle, after a breath-taking gallop to the final upright, “He has the biggest heart.”
Successful pony rider, 14 year-old Jessica Hewitt from West Yorkshire swapped to horses to claim the Blue Chip Dynamic B and C with Rachael Evison’s Kojak sired Zaronda II. “I just kept flowing” said Jessica, who began riding the 10 year-old chestnut mare twelve months ago. "She’s little but has a massive stride.”
Lancashire based 34 year-old Danielle Ryder earned her the Blue Chip Karma Performance title with Lucy Greenwood’s homebred 7 year-old bay mare Warren Miss Contendro. “She’s super-careful, I easily took out a stride from the double to the oxer” said Danielle, who has ridden the Contendro sired mare for a year.
Kent based Julian Mincher (41) seized the Blue Chip Power RLF Championship with Sid and Jackie Jones’ 6 year-old bay mare Dolanda. “I wasn’t going to come second this time” exclaimed Julian, who has been relegated to second over 20 times at these championships since its conception in 1992.
Buckinghamshire based 24 year-old Chantal de Verteuil claimed two titles. Her final round dash in the twenty-two horse jump off captured Horsequest UK Novice Championship on Jane Dexter’s Lux Z sired bay mare Carrighill PJ. “She’s not five until July and still green, but she’s so careful” said Chantal.
The Joshua Jones UK Discovery on her mother Anna’s 10 year-old bay mare Zoneless BC was victory number two after they outpaced forty-three jump-off rivals. “I was kicking from the start, although I didn’t risk the turn to the final planks” said Chantal, who has ridden the mare for ten months.
Berkshire based 25 year-old Tony Pearson’s whistle-stop visit to the Blue Chip Championships was rewarded with the WOW Saddles Star Championship with Tracy Cotterill’s brown gelding Arash, a Rash R/Quickstar 9 year-old. “He’s so competitive and hasn’t stopped winning since I got him in November” said Tony.
Rugeley, Staffordshire based Lydia Parrott headed the Haygain Hay Steamers Diamond Final with Pipsqueek T, her 9 year-old bay roan gelding "horse of a lifetime" bought five years ago. “He’s amazing and helps me out all the time” said Lydia, 18, who is currently taking ‘A’ levels with aims of a veterinary course at Nottingham University.
An on-form Emily Ward (14) from Cheshire took two championships – the Halsall Electrical 1.25m on the 10 year-old bay mare Elite K and the Blue Chip Pro Sparkle JC/JA with the 14 year-old chestnut mare Dafina K both jointly owned by Monserrat Seara and Nick Ward. A tricky 1.25m jump-off track demanded respect. “There were some big verticals, set off too fast too early and they would catch you” said Emily, “I made sure I jumped the Olympic post box fence before I kicked on.”
Emily claimed the JC/JA for the second consecutive year. Last year, victory was courtesy of Wizard VIII. This time, Dafina K stepped up to the plate. “She’s genuine and careful” said Emily, who shares the ride with Claudia Seara.
Somerset-based Chloe Reynolds, 15, took the Horsequest UK Pony Coral riding Sophie Digby’s 9 year-old coloured mare Kayleighs Star. “I got her a month before this show last year, and she’s been so easy” said Chloe, also a Hickstead JC finalist.
Catriona Fraser, 16, from Cumbria, commandeered the Horsequest UK Pony Sapphire on her Welsh-bred 9 year-old bay gelding Treflaeth Caleb. “I’m so proud of him, he’ll do anything for food, but he’s great fun to ride” said Catriona.
Wylye Valley Pony Club member 15 year-old Jordan Phelps, took the Animo Pony Discovery title on her mother Frankie’s 9 year-old liver chestnut gelding Rhyfeddol Free Willy. “He’s bolshy in the stable, but when I ride him he’s lovely” said Bath-based Jordan, who acquired the 9 year-old two and a half years ago.
Suffolk-based Kelly Wecke only joined British Showjumping last year, but her exciting, entertaining round on her mother Tricia’s 10 year-old grey gelding Merlin XVII gained the Animo Novice Pony Championship. “He’s only 130cm and will jump anything for me” said Kelly, 13, who inherited the ride from elder sister Jade a year ago.
Further information and results can be found by visiting www.bluechipchamps.co.uk.
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