Team Fairfax Win Children’s Nations Cup in Bonheiden
Saturday 17 May 2014
This morning saw a victory for the children competing under the Team Fairfax banner in Bonheiden Nations Cup in Belgium.
This was the first of the four Nations Cup competitions taking place this afternoon, with Ponies, Juniors and Young Riders all having their own respective nations cup competitions this afternoon also.
For the Children, aged 14 years and under and competing horses, it was a tough 1.25m track that they had to contest. Accompanied by team coach and chef d’equipe Corinne Bracken, the team had set their sights on winning and they didn’t waiver in their confidence or belief that they would.
Strong performances from the outset saw Great Britain lever themselves into a strong position. This stronghold remained until the final round when, as per the British senior team that won in Denmark yesterday, there was no need for the fourth and final member to jump as they couldn’t be beaten.
GB Performances
Tara Byrtt, aged 13 from Weston-Super-Mare took the role of pathfinder for the team with her 12 year-old bay mare Valerie B. Jumping clear in the first round within the time allowed, she was ecstatic to do exactly the same in the second round resulting in a double clear in this, her first outing on a Nations Cup Team.
Scarlett Charles, aged 13 from Alton and daughter of Olympic Team Gold medallist Peter Charles MBE was next to go with Olga White’s 14 year-old bay mare Cherona Z. Scarlett, who has been incredibly successful on both ponies and horses once again showcased her talent on the international stage by matching Tara’s performance with a double clear and zero penalty score.
Jack Whitaker, aged 12 from Nottinghamshire and son of former Olympic Team Silver medallist and current European Championship Team Gold medallist Michael Whitaker made his Nations Cup debut with the bay mare Lillibet. A fall in the first round wasn’t enough to deter Jack and riding into the arena with absolute focus he produced a brilliant foot-perfect clear round.
It was 14 year-old Will Edwards, with his father Carl's and Jane Lanni's10 year-old chestnut mare R Candy who took the anchor position. Jumping clear in the first round within the time allowed saw them return another zero penalty score. Waiting to go for his second and final round, a quick calculation of the scores when the Belgium rider faulted meant that there wasn’t any need for him to jump as Jack’s clear had been enough to secure the nations cup title.
Results
1st Great Britain
2nd Belgium
3rd Germany
4th Netherlands
The British Showjumping youth teams are sponsored by Fairfax Saddles. Fairfax’s primary aim is to improve the performance of the competition horse. All the saddles and girths are developed using the most advanced technology and are tested extensively. All research and design work is carried out under the direction of Vanessa Fairfax, an ex-International showjumper and University qualified designer. The company is based in Walsall and manufactures all its own products.
The GB Showjumping Teams are strongly supported by the UK Sport Lottery funded BEF World Class Programme
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