Brennan Takes the Win in the Dodson & Horrell and the World Class Programme U23 Championship Qualifier
Friday 24 October 2014
Aintree Equestrian Centre in Liverpool played host to the Dodson & Horrell and the World Class Programme Under 23 British Championship series qualifier last weekend (18 October), and top class showjumping was at the fore making for an exciting competition.
A field of forty starters came forward to contest the qualifier; the technical course, designed by David Cole, proved challenging for some with only ten clear rounds recorded. Having recently returned from competing at the Horse of the Year Show, it was Kerry Brennan who posted the winning time after recording a clear round in the jump-off with a fast time of 37.33 seconds aboard Mrs Liane Smith’s Wellington M.
Kerry finished nearly half a second quicker than UK Sport National Lottery funded World Class Development rider George Whitaker, with Mrs Sally McSharry’s Tubana, whilst BEF Excel Talent Programme member Millie Allen took third with Senator Cantino II, owned by Senator International.
After impressive performances Beth Vernon with Aminko N (owned by Billy Twomey) took fourth, with fifth place going to Emma O’Dwyer aboard Joanne O’Dwyer’s HHS Figero, whilst Jessica Dimmock with her own Tinkas Tyson finished sixth.
Showjumping Discipline Co-ordinator for the World Class Programme, Tina Goosen commented after the class; “It was a very exciting qualifier and the standard of jumping was very high. To see forty riders come forward to contest the event, including two young riders in Harry Charles and Jack Whitaker - both putting in some great rounds, was great to see and bodes well for the future of British showjumping.”
Through the qualifiers and an accumulation of points riders aim to qualify for the final, which takes place at the London International Horse Show, Olympia in December.
There was a total prize fund of £1650 for the qualifier, and Training Vouchers to the value of £725 awarded to the first six prize-winning riders currently eligible for British Team Selection.
The Championships are supported by feed manufacturer Dodson & Horrell and by the World Class Development Programme. The Development Programme is funded by Lottery and Exchequer funds via UK Sport; the Programme seeks to identify and develop talented athletes who have shown the potential to reach the world stage.
Dodson & Horrell has been leading the way in animal nutrition for 75 years pioneering manufacturing methods and promoting nutritional research. The company has a long history of support in equestrian sports across all levels, from its sponsorship of Showjumping, Pony Club events, over 25 years of support for Point-to-Point racing to title sponsorship of the iconic Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials. The Royal Warrant of Appointment was first granted to Dodson & Horrell in 1985 for horse feed; and further extended in 2006 to that of Horse and Dog food Manufacturer to HM Queen Elizabeth II and the company now exports horse feed to over 40 countries worldwide.
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