Bury Farm Small Pony Premier - Round up
Monday 20 February 2017
The Squibb family dominated the Small Pony Premier at Bury Farm with Henry and his cousin Ellie Burrell-Squibb taking victory in both Winter 128cm Second Rounds on offer.
Henry, whose father Leslie was himself a top 128cm rider in his day, headed day one’s Hickstead 128cm with Pat Squibb’s Major Jack II, a 16-year-old he took over from Tom Francis-Jones late last year. The pair quickly hit form and took second at Keysoe just two weeks earlier.
He took the win here with the only treble clear in a head-to-head situation against Tabitha Kyle on Tanya Kyle’s Borderhill William, a 7-year-old she has produced for eighteen months.
Olivia Banks rode into third place on Emma Banks’ Remington Steal with Eloise Squibb in fourth on Sarah Squibb’s Platinum Prince – the only two other riders to reach round two from the sixteen starters.
On day two, it was Ellie Burrell-Squibb’s turn and she also dominated with the sole treble clear on Pat Squibb’s My Little Liesel.
Four from the entry list of sixteen gained first round clears, and one was lost for an eventual three to go forward to the third and final timed round. Ellie pushed aside any pressure to jump another penalty-free round on my Little Liesel, a 10-year-old she has only ridden since November.
Tabitha proved consistent to again take second on Borderhill William and Eloise Squibb jumped into third on Wyndham Tom Thumb with Annabell Sanderson in fourth riding Elith.
New combinations also proved successful in the Winter 138cm Second Rounds to collect coveted passes to the Royal International Horse Show final at Hickstead.
A delighted Jake Myers only joined forces with The Agent three months ago, but he has quickly gelled with the experienced 24-year-old to head Sunday’s Hickstead 138cm.
The initial entry of thirty-three yielded nine clears to go forward to round two, and the raised track reduced these further to six for the final jump-off. And Jake confidently guided Simon Ryder’s The Agent into an unbeatable victory, winning by 6.36 seconds.
Thomas Hooper claimed second on Nicola Jamison’s Misty Bay II – a pony who is no stranger to the big, daunting ring at Hickstead after winning the 138cm title for Joshua Bridge in 2013.
Red Morgan took third on Didy Morgan’s 18-year-old Dylasau Derior – a winner at Hickstead back in 2007 for Stephanie Gunn – with the only other treble clear.
Holly Cooper and Mr Jack Sparrow claimed Saturday’s 138cm class in a hard-fought jump-off where nerves and tension played a major part.
Ten from forty starters gained initial clears, but these were reduced to six for the final jump-off, with Holly guiding Emily Cooper’s Irish-bred 13-year-old Mr Jack Sparrow into an impressive 4.13 second victory.
Tegan Rowlands claimed second place on Jane Holmes’ National Eighteen, a 19-year-old Irish-bred mare she has competed for four months.
Elica Banks took third on Emma Banks’ 10-year-old Ferrybank Roy with Claudia Moore in fourth aboard the 25-year-old My Bugsy Malone.
Francesca Mellor headed Saturday’s British Showjumping 128/138cm handicap special with Alexandra Beattie’s 15-year-old mare Orchid with the sole clear round.
Jessica Cunnington took second and third on two 128cm ponies, Samantha Hemsley’s nine-year-old mare Brookshill Orla and the 17-year-old Mojo II.
In Sunday’s equivalent class, Naomi Howard-Batts clinched the top spot on Melanie Samuels’ 12-year-old gelding Quarry, taking the win with exactly one second in hand.
Corey May-Adams claimed second on Kate Litherland’s 21-year-old Acton Roly Poly with the only other clear round in the five-strong jump-off.
.jpg "Thrilling Weekend Kickstarts the STX-UK Pony British Novice Championship Second Round")
