The final Large Pony Premier unfolded at Arena UK as Katie Bradburne and Nellie Lock took victory in the last Winter JA Classic qualifiers
Wednesday 06 March 2024
.jpg "The final Large Pony Premier unfolded at Arena UK as Katie Bradburne and Nellie Lock took victory in the last Winter JA Classic qualifiers")
The final Large Pony Premier unfolded at Arena UK this weekend, drawing junior riders into the show ground as they aimed to secure their place in the National Finals held later this year.
In Saturday’s Winter JA Classic, Katie Bradburne and new ride Westpoint Foreign Affair proved supreme as they claimed their ticket to the final. Seventeen competitors took on the 1.30m 11-fence course with five combinations unlocking the double clear needed to reach the final jump-off. Having finished second in the Large Pony Premier at South View, Katie went one better and expertly piloted Sophie Johnstone’s eight-year-old mare to a foot-perfect double clear, taking victory by the slight margin of just 0.19 seconds. Lucy Capper, riding Oscar Van De Beekerheide and Darcy Breen, riding One Saharah, both continued to cement their recent success, slotting their rides into second and third respectively.
In Sunday’s equivalent Winter JA Classic, Nellie Lock came to the fore, securing first place and her ticket to the final with Dulcie Chambers’ Catho Van De Langvelden Z. Four of the initial 21 jumped double clear around the 1.30 track to return to contend the jump-off. Only two met their aims of a treble clear, Nellie smoothly guiding the nine-year-old mare into top spot by 0.67 seconds. Second place went the way of Emily Gulliver and Fleur De Nuit, who jumped from final draw and provided the only other double clear. Hollie Gerken and Galaxy V took third with the fastest four fault round.
Alfie Diaper took top spot in Saturday’s Winter JC/JD qualifier with Helen Diaper’s PJV Bella. Fifty-two riders tackled the 1.15m course as nine jumped double clear to reach the second jump-off. Isabella Townsend, riding Hollywood Princess Rosie, provided the first steady treble clear which would be enough for second. Alfie, using his penultimate draw, rode a decisive round to knock almost two seconds off Isabella’s time, finishing first. Sienna Palin slotted into third with the fastest four fault round aboard Agharanny Chloe Clover.
In Sunday’s Winter JC/JD qualifier, Kiera Finlay dominated with Tammy Nicholson’s Mr Marley. Forty-nine combinations contended the Agria Royal International Horse Show qualifier with seven successfully navigating a double clear to advance to the final jump-off. Kiera rode smooth but tight lines, steering the 16-year-old gelding across the finished in 27.79 seconds. Hollie Gerken, a previous winner of this class at Bury Farm’s Large Pony Premier, slotted into second with Velini’s Silver Star, 3.35 seconds off the pace of Kiera. Zea Adams took third with Lyndhurst Apache, a further 1.36 seconds in arrears.
Honey Bowes topped Saturdays Children on Horses 16 years and under 1.20m qualifier with Jon Bowes Javas El Cid. Eleven stepped forward to content the class with three jumping double clear so results would come down to the clock. Honey used the eight-year-old gelding’s big stride to her advantage, crossing the finish in a time of 29.72 seconds to take top spot. Emily Gulliver rode Glamor De Vie into second, with Olivia Brightmore slotting into third with Tilouis Van Duyversputten Z
Sunday saw Olivia Brightmore go two better to head the Children on Horses 16 years and under 1.20m qualifier with Calle Caal. Six competitors contended the class with Olivia and Emily Gulliver securing a clear to go head-to-head in the jump off. An unfortunate pole at the double for Emily left the door open for Olivia to steer the 16-year-old stallion to a double clear, securing the victory. Emily Gulliver underscored her recent success in this class with another second place aboard Glamor de Vie. Rosie Smith picked up third with Special X.
The Blue Chip Pro Sparkle JC/JA Handicap fell the way of Raphaela Dawson and Maifield Another Sunrise, another having finished second in this class at Bury Farm’s Large Pony Premier show. Twenty-five from a field of 60 starters jumped double clear around the single phase 1.15m track, with Raphaela laying down to gauntlet, setting a time of 34.97 seconds that could not be caught by her competitors that followed. Honey Bowes rode VMS Dion Cruise into second, Maisie Allsop picking up third with Carnhill Misty.
Image: ATG Photography
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