ADDINGTON MANOR PREMIER

Thursday 22 November 2012

The winter premier show season is well underway, and riders flocked to Addington Manor to enjoy thrilling competitions over top class courses from London 2012 course designer Bob Ellis.
Spectators were entertained to the max at Saturday night’s gala evening with fast and furious grand prix jump-off as 15 riders from a quality field of 40 battled for the £1,000 first prize. None were a match for Pippa Allen, who dared the eight-year-old Cupido Z in tighter turns to seize the top spot.
Olympic team gold medallist Peter Charles posted an early lead on Murkas Odie De Frevent, but from then on ladies were in charge. Jessie Drea pinched the lead with Touchable, but was overtaken by Angelie von Essen and Carratano Ztar. 
But Pippa maintained a quicker pace with a flyer to the final gate to win.
“He’s only eight and just starting to jump 1.45m tracks, but he’s my main hope for the young rider Europeans next year” said Pippa, “He has all the scope and attitude, I just need to get used to him.”  
She is currently based in Germany with Helena Stormanns but flew over here for the BEF world class programme selection trials at Solihull. Taking in this premier show was secondary, but it paid dividends.
Tim Stockdale also pocketed £1,000 when winning the earlier 1.40m on Colin and Ann Garrett’s Fresh Direct Kalico Bay.
The Irish bred star by Limmerick was at his first show back after a three week mini break. Shows in France and Holland are planned in preparation for Olympia.
Nicole Pavitt commanded the winter B and C to ensure a Hickstead finalist place on her consistent winner Festiena Van Texelhof.
Nicole had been experimenting with different bits of late as this seven-year-old Bentley Van De Heffinck daughter has developed a stronger canter.
“After all that, I’ve gone back to a plain snaffle” she said who will now give this mare a holiday.
Geoff Luckett eased into second with Constant, a British bred seven-year-old by Carinjo owned and bred by Sharon Baldwin.
Tim Page headed the winter grade C qualifier on Sue Hodgson and Justin Skinner’s Steady The Helm, a seven-year-old who only started competing earlier this year.
“His first show was in March at Aintree, he’s done pretty well since then” said Tim, current Blue Chip discovery champion with this consistent bay gelding.
William Whitaker took second aboard Susan Boswell’s Phin Phin sired eight-year-old Fairviews Axel Springs.
And William also featured in the Murkas/BEF world class programme under 23, this time riding his partner Elisabeth Fredlund’s Upperclass II into second place.
“He’s a real trier and has stepped up to grand prix for me and Elisabeth” said William, “now we have the Olympia final to look forward to.”
Emma Stoker lifted first place with Wilando B, a nine-year-old by Oklund and owned by Emma’s boss Carron Nicol.
“He’s improved so much in his flatwork and turning in the jump-off this year” said Emma, a European young rider team member who is sponsored by English Bridles and Gator Gear Clothing.
Matthew Sampson, who has now returned to his roots to produce horses at his Sheffield home base, claimed the Blue Chip B and C on Richard Hopkinson’s Rhett Closbonhomme.
The seven-year-old, originally produced by Donald Whitaker, only joined Matthew four weeks ago.
“He’s fairly inexperienced at this level but he’s jumped clear every day here” said Matthew, who pushed Jay Buxton and High Offley Arturos into second.
Chloe Winchester outpaced all her Halsall Electrical 1.25m rivals for first place on Ed Howard’s Zandokan H.
The Suffolk based teenager, 18, who relies on the advice and training of Brigit Ensten, acquired the ride on the eight-year-old five months ago.   
The partnership have just returned from their first trip abroad, and after being placed in a 1.30m speed in Moorsele, are aiming at young riders next year.
Stephen Crosby saved the best until last to take the speed classic with the final round on Hemmingway, a nine-year-old by Holland bought three years ago.
Stephen was also in the money earlier in the day, topping the 1.30m on Aramis Van Halbeek, a 14-year-old purchased four years ago as his first horse.
Alfie Bradstock was £750 to the good in the accumulator as Foxglade Little Lady, a six-year-old homebred daughter of Buckhill Gunner owned Tina and Graham Fletcher, showed a clean pair of heels to top the proceedings.