Monday 27 August 2012
Bryony Ward from Leighton Buzzard took the honours in the first Championship on Monday morning when she won the KBIS Insurance National Senior British Novice. From a starting field of 64, an eventual 27 combinations went through to the second jump off. For the second time this week, Staffordshire rider Derek Morton set the pace early, but with a strong field ahead of him he was unable to maintain his lead. With only six combinations remaining, Byrony riding Samantha Gibbons' five-year-old mare, Hay Que Fabulosa, set a cracking pace finishing with an unbeatable clear in 35.08 seconds to claim victory. Bryony qualified Hay Que Fabulosa at Olney in Norhtamptonshire, and has only had the ride on this mare for a year, but said, "the mare is showing lots of potential".
A delighted Demi Watson and her pony Bramblebrough Alan took the Netley Hall Equestrian Centre Pony Discovery Championship in a winning time 32.06 secs, shaving almost two second off their nearest rival. Sixteen year old Demi, who is from Featherstone, Wolverhampton is in her final year on ponies, Bramblebrough Alan was bought as a four year old two years ago, they have qualified for Junior Newcomers at HOYS and will compete here at the Festival later in the Blue Chip Feed Balancer Pony Newcomers Masters and Peace Lover World Pony Adventurer Championship.
Early evening honours went to Emily Ward in Squibb Demolition Pony Foxhunter Masters, in an eight pony jump off it the took the last three combinations to really set the pace, Emily being the first of the three on her 7 year old King Mac, finishing with fast clear in 36.27 seconds, last to go Faye Adams gave them a good run for the money but couldn’t quite make the pace. Although Emily has already qualified for HOYS she was delighted with King Macs performance the pony has been showing phenomenal potential having won the Junior Newcomers at HOYS in 2011, their recent wins include the European Viewing Trial at Bolsworth and the Grand Prix at Ingliston, Emily has progressed the 7 year old to JA and as long as she doesn’t grow too much the 13 year old Emily will keep the ride for a further three years.
There were 25 starters in the Animo UK Children On Horses Championship of which only four combinations didn’t go clear! So when it came to the jump off no one could afford to hang about, the fourth combination of Kerstin Deakin and Osaka Des Quarts set the pace with a cracking time of 38.42 seconds with only Jake Saywell and Conquistador II coming close, allowing Kerstin to take the championship.
Eleven combinations went through to the Equestrianclearance.com Newcomers Masters jump off, third to go Nicole Pavitt riding Zeppeling set the pace with winning time of 35.10 seconds almost three seconds faster than their nearest rival.
The Plevin British Showjumping Scope Festival incorporates many National Championship Finals. Qualifiers have taken place around the country throughout the year, culminating in these prestigious finals. Show jumping will take place in the indoor Championship and four outdoor arenas from approximately 8.30am, the indoor Championship Arena continuing until approximately 10.30pm. Entry is free each day until 6.00 pm, it is then £5 per ticket until 8pm when the gates close. Admittance to the showground between 6pm – 7am will be restricted to those wearing wristlets (or producing a purchased ticket which is valid until 8pm only), car parking is free.
HOW TO GET THERE: Staffordshire County Showground is located on A518 between Stafford and Weston (Jct. 14 M6).
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