Scope Festival 2018 Round Up-South View Equestrian Centre
Monday 27 August 2018
.JPG "Scope Festival 2018 Round Up-South View Equestrian Centre")
Ffion Roberts claimed the Dunglenn 148cm championship with Melanie Davies’ Ruby Riot in an exciting, edge-of-your-seats finale to conclude the Scope Festival of 2018.
“She only stepped up to this level in June,” said Ffion, 16, who started riding the 16-year-old in November – “She’d had a break before then so we built her up slowly.”
Seven of the twenty-three starters contended the jump-off over course-designer Gillian Milner’s 12-fence track with riders taking ever-increasing risks as they chased the clock. But none could match Ffion’s tight, decisive lines and determination.
“I upped the pace after the second fence, cut across an oxer but took care over the double,” said Ffion.
Madison Heath looked a danger with an acutely angled approach to the last on Cisco Bay II but had to settle for second 0.31 sec in arrears.
Elsi Jacques, 13, landed the Wicks Group pony 1.20m Jubilee with a final round flyer on Danielle Piecha’s 11-year-old stallion Trevoulter Ladies Man in a hot 25-strong jump-off.
“He’s scopey and a great water jumper, but if I don’t help, him, he doesn’t help me,” said Elsi.
Nicole Lockhead Anderson secured the pony 1.15m title with the 8-year-old Tiernisks Cruising Clover.
“He’s scopey, rideable and super-careful,” said Nicole, after topping the hot, 17-strong decider.
Double champion last year, Eloise Burden, 14, made a winning return to take the Kierson Restoration Pony 1.10m Adventurer title with Richard Burden’s 12-year-old mare Coolatooder Liath – her 2017 novice masters champion.
“This is such a surprise, she’s only been back in competition for six weeks after injuring herself last October but she’s always eager to jump,” said Eloise.
Gemma Thorley recorded her biggest win in the three-pony jump-off of the PK Equestrian Pony 1m Progressive Championship on John Foster’s 10-year-old Red Shelley with the only clear.
“I was happy to get a rosette, the course was technical so I aimed for a clear and she was foot-perfect,” said Gemma, 15, who confessed her mind was on other matters – “I was stressed as my GCSE results were out the same day.”
Blackburn, Lancashire-based Ellie Todd, 16, claimed the POYS Elite Debut Championship with the only treble clear on Lusmagh Aviator.
“He tries his heart out and ticks every box,” said Ellie, who has ridden this Connemara 11-year-old for four years.
Smooth, deceptively fast turns earned Elysia Heagren Bond the Swy Y Mor Pony Novice Masters title with Attrory Golden Lady.
“She’s buzzy but very careful,” said Berkshire-based Elysia, who has ridden the 7-year-old for PK Equestrian since April.
No jump-off was required as Owen Carpenter commandingly claimed the Graham Heath Equestrian Primary 138cm with the only clear in the 21-strong class on John Carpenter’s 8-year-old Follow Jazzy Lady.
“The course wasn’t huge but technical, but my pony’s scopey with a big stride,” said Owen, 12, who though it would be difficult to follow in his brother’s footsteps. “Iwan’s produced her since a 5-year-old. She’s playful and difficult to contain but he gives me lots of advice, I have to sit up but relax.”
Tabitha Kyle commandingly claimed the Graham Heath Equestrian Primary 128cm championship with the top three places. The stylish rider was the only one to jump a first round clear – and she did it with all three of her ponies. Coreys Princess took the win with the quickest round, Living The Dream finished second and Borderhill William filled third.
“They’re all different to ride but the course suited them today,” said Tabitha, 11, who had eight ponies at this show.
Second last year, Tom Francis Jones went one better to lift the Waddesdon Stud 138cm championship on Kiltormer Hero in a two-way decider with Tabitha on Lissduff Royal.
“I didn’t go crazy quick but wanted to put pressure on,” said Tom, 13, who finds his 14-year-old pony is – “Anxious in the ring, he has plenty of scope and stride and wears ear muffs now to help him.”
North Wales-based Dafydd Watkin Jones, 12, outpaced his 12 rivals in the Cats & Pipes 138cm final for victory on Iona Watkin Jones’ 13-year-old Mr Bojangles XI.
“He’s easy but I need quite a bit of leg,” said Dafydd, who exercises his pony along the beach once a week.
Sophie Wicks’ final gallop to the last secured the Scope 128cm championship on Camizion in a seven-pony decider.
“He has along stride but he can get lazy, he saves all his energy for the ring and loves to eat,” she said.
Danielle Saunders, 10, landed her biggest win in the Cats & Pipes 128cm debut 16-pony jump-off with Newtown Mighty Max.
“He helps me out if I get a wrong stride and loves to gallop and buck,” she said.
Emily Irvine put her faith in Craig Scott’s Bunbury Conquest to land the Tiny Tots championship.
“He’s my best friend, I can trust him,” said Emily, 9, who has ridden the 16-year-old newly-crowned national stepping stones champion since November.
Ellie Sedgwick cut corners to the quick to take the Heritage Insurance Agency Bright Star 1m championship with Kay Sedgwick’s 14-year-old Peachy, a former rescue pony found seven years ago.
“I knew I had to be quick,” said Ellie, who is trained by Marie Edgar.
Emma Sargeant secured the 1.25m title from the front in a three-way jump-off with Claire Davies’ Fantaisie B.
“She’s busy and likes to get on with the job,” said Emma, who has recently stepped this 8-year-old mare up to 1.30m.
Madiy Jamison scored her biggest win since moving into horses with the Marnic Groundwork under 23 championship with a final round flyer in the 10-horse jump-off aboard her favourite, Nicola Jamison’s Uccello 9-year-old Ultravox II.
“I was jumped clean off with my first horse At First D Authuit, it was good to go in and finish on a good note,” said Madiy.
Madi McCrory jumped a foot-perfect double clear to take the Graham Heath Equestrian under 16 title on Sheree McCrory’s Up Du Figuier.
“I’m still getting used to him we didn’t have any expectations of winning, he’s not very quick but he’s go a big stride,” said Essex-based Madi, 16, on the 10-year-old bought in France six months ago.
Kerry Grimster was on sizzling form and doubled up with 1.15m and 1m novice wins.
Sixteen contended a hot jump-off in the 1.15m but none were a matched Kerry and Ruth Hahn’s consistent 12-year-old Bombastic II.
“He’s such a dude, super-careful and wants to win,” said Kerry, who picked up the ride November.
Kerry proved unbeatable in the 1m novice championship with Diamond Cruise Control, an Irish-bred 11-year-old mare owned jointly with Mickey McCann.
“She’s only competed at unaffiliated level and is quite low-mileage,” said Kerry.
Emma-Jo commandeered the Scope 1.05m championship with the top two places, winning on Freule TN and taking second on Ferndale Special K, 0.57 sec separating the two.
“She’s always quicker and nippier, not very big but has plenty of stride, I never have to worry going down distances,” said Emma-Jo, on the Baloubet Du Rouet x Clinton 8-year-old.
Georgina Pudge raced to victory in the Scope 95cm final to win by 1.07 sec with Robert Skyrme’s Springville.
“It’s my biggest win and he’s my dream horse, I don’t realise he’s going that fast but he turns like a pony – he’s still got it even aged 20,” said Georgina.
Tight turns and acutely angling oxers earned Georgina Beeson the Graham Heath 85cm Novice title with Barbara Beeson’s Millbrook Demi.
“The jump-off suited us with plenty of turns, she’s got a long stride but isn’t very fast,” said Georgina, 21, who took over the ride on the former dressage 9-year-old from University-bound younger sister Joanna.
Photo: Emma Sargeant and Fantasie B
.jpg "Thrilling Weekend Kickstarts the STX-UK Pony British Novice Championship Second Round")
