FINAL DAY AT THE ALEXANDERS HORSEBOXES SCOPE FESTIVAL (UK) SUPREME CHAMPIONSHIPS 2016
Saturday 27 August 2016
Emma Stoker recorded her biggest win and first ever grand prix victory in the top-billed Alexander Horseboxes 2* world ranking grand prix with Bob Young’s Townhead Tallulah V.
It was no mean feat. Course-designer Raf Suarez set a substantial track, with eleven of the fifty-three starters reaching the jump-off, Emma taking victory by 1.45 sec, delighting owner Bob Young – a director of the Scope Festival.
Emma has produced the Tabasco La Silla 11-year-old Tallulah for three and half years.
“She finally settling down, she was always sharp, nervous and quick, it was hard to contain her,” said Emma.
Kerry Brennan’s mid-draw effort earned second place on crowd favourite Wellington M, and Helen Tredwell with her home-bred mare Larksong took third.
Holly Smith landed the AGM No Dig middle tour final on Jane Heerbeck’s Indoctro nine-year-old Carolus K DHI, making short work of the Table C speed class to win by 0.75 sec.
Graham Babes and the Valentino DDH 10-year-old Boucheron took second with Helen Tredwell – day two’s winner – in third on Ann and Colin Garrett’s Sebastian VII in the 32-strong class.
A double winner on day one of the International classes, Paul Barker also headed the Chillout Horseware small tour final on Spring Equestrian Partnership’s Happy Boy. They were definitely in speed mode, beating Emily Ward and Witch by a second. James Smith and Cumina took third.
Morgan Carpenter capitalised on his day two win in the Bliss of London amateur 1.10m, and pushed Merllyns Mirage into victory in the grand prix.
It was a hot class, with sixteen of the forty-five starters accessing the jump-off. But Morgan [17 years] had it sewn up with tight turns and a flourishing gallop through the finish to win by 0.05 sec.
“I had to take a little break from the horses because of my AS exams – and I got ‘A’s’ – and Mirage has jumped fabulously since, she’s awesome,” said Morgan on the Burggraaf nine-year-old.
Norman Proffitt took second with Patent and Kerstin Deakin claimed third on Cashmira.
Pippa Allen headed the four-year-old with the impressive Jadore Flamenco, a Je T’Aime Flamenco x Corofino gelding bred by Anne Bedford and jointly owned with Stevie Crosby.
“He’s easy and so scopey,” said Pippa.
“He performed beyond his years and handled the atmosphere,” said Nick Ward, co-judge with Helen van Heyningen.
Holly Smith took second on Manolito P with Graham Babes in third on Ma Fleur JS and Ben Raistrick fourth aboard Heaven Can Wait. Ellen Blackburn was fifth with Halo II, Isaack Koshy took sixth on Elda Balou, seventh went to Emma Stoker on Townhead Grand Stakkato and Emma Sargeant claimed eighth with Chico De Cicero Z.
An elated Faye Sutton posted her biggest win in the Squibb Group Dunglenn 148cm Championship on Robe Ruadh. She was full of praise for the Irish-bred 12-year-old after beating Sophie Bowen Howard into second on Quincy.
“He saved me! Alan [Fazakerley] sad to cut inside to the last, but I wasn’t confident enough, went round and got a dodgy shot to it,” said Faye. “He is so easy to ride, forward-going and flowing.”
Sophie settled for second by 0.17 sec with Tahnia Jordan-Jones in third on Sulan Hollywood Knight.
Ellie Hall-McAteer netted yet another championship sash and rug – and this time it was the class sponsored by her mum Mandy Hall! Ellie, already winner of an amateur International 1.10m on Dazzle, effortlessly switched back to ponies to take the 1.15m on Future Interest.
“He’s unique, I cannot jump in the warm-up at all, I just trot round and go straight in the ring, but then he’s perfectly focused – and amazing,” said Ellie on the 18-year-old gelding.
Leader from the front, Georgia Taylor-Jones had to settle for second on International Playboy with Fraser Reed and Jiminy Cricket in third.
Using her final draw to maximum effect, Lauren Roach [14 years] claimed the Netley Hall Supreme pony novice championship on Makita.
The eight-year-old was sold to comedian Rory Bremner and his wife Tessa three months ago, but Lauren is still producing the pony in readiness for their daughter Lila.
“Makita’s easy and this jump-off really suited her, she’s so quick across the ground and we could angle fences,” said Lauren.
Molly Potts Fowles took second with Ginger T and Imogen Marmont was third aboard TJ Simba.
Charlie Atkinson featured in two 128cm classes, taking second in both on Bunbury Conquest and Cappagh Misty, but ‘Questy’ came up trumps for10-year-old Charlie in the Pure Feed Company’s Tiny Tots Championship with a final round flyer.
“He’s the greatest ever, we clicked straightaway and I trust him,” said Charlie, who trains with Paul Barker.
.jpg "Thrilling Weekend Kickstarts the STX-UK Pony British Novice Championship Second Round")
