SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier at Bishop Burton College
Monday 23 March 2015
Saturday (21st March) saw the tenth qualifier of the SEIB Winter Novice Championship 2015 take place at Bishop Burton College in Beverley, East Yorkshire.
With qualification opportunities running out, each of the forty-eight starting combinations came forward with the sole aim of taking home one of the two direct qualifying places available for the Championship Final, which will be held during the Longines Royal International Horse Show during 28th July – 2nd August 2015. In a competitive first round, just over a quarter of the starting field produced a clear to take them into the jump off.
From the thirteen combinations that jumped again, spectators saw five go on to achieve a double clear. With all eyes were on the clock, competitors faced a nervous wait to see who would top the leader board and most importantly, take those two coveted qualification spots.
The win was eventually taken by 39 year-old Sarah Billington from Nantwich, Cheshire on Wierania II, a 12 year-old bay mare owned by Ben Wentink. The combination produced the fastest double clear of the class to secure victory with 2.79 seconds in hand. They were drawn ninth to go in the jump off and they delivered a masterful clear whilst crossing the finish line in 35.64 seconds.
The winning combination’s nearest rivals were 21 year-old Stephanie Gunn from Orston, Nottinghamshire and Quastor Du Buisson Z, a 6 year-old grey stallion owned by Stephanie’s mother, Heather. Drawn seventh in jump off starting order, the combination also produced a double clear, posting it in 38.43 seconds. This was to prove good enough for a top two finish and a Championship qualification place.
Bishop Burton College - Saturday 21st March 2015
SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier Results:
1st Sarah Billington & Wierania II – 0/0 – 35.64 seconds
2nd Stephanie Gunn & Quastor Du Buisson Z – 0/0 – 38.43 seconds
NB: Qualifications will be updated pending official grading of results.
The penultimate SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier will take place at Morris Equestrian Centre in Fenwick, Ayrshire on Saturday 28th March 2015.
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Image: Credit La Scala Studios
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