Thursday 19 November 2015

 

Sixteen year-old bay mare Bluegrass Hopper was crowned 2015 British Showjumping Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) National Recognition Award Champion at the RoR Awards Ceremony held in Newmarket on Monday 16th November. The RoR Awards Ceremony, which was hosted by guest presenter and RoR Patron Clare Balding, recognises the achievements of former racehorses adapting and excelling in their new careers with the presentation of prizes totalling £17,500 to each of the 2015 RoR Elite Series’ Champions in showjumping, dressage, polo, eventing, showing and endurance.

Hopper, as she is fondly known, is ridden by 18 year-old Charlotte (Lottie) Gibbens from Chippenham, Wiltshire and the pair have recently moved to Hartpury College in order for Lottie to be able to study for a BSc (Hons) in Equestrian Sports Science. Both Lottie and owner, father Craig Gibbens, were delighted that Hopper’s achievements were recognised during the glittering awards ceremony.

During her racing career, the mare ran just three times as a two year-old on the flat with trainer Michael Madgwick. Bought by the Gibbens family as a 12 year-old, Hopper began her retraining in 2011 having done very little since her retirement from racing. The Gibbens’ were drawn to Hopper’s calm temperament and relaxed personality when they went to try her and although she took a while to settle in at her new home, the family’s hard work and perseverance eventually paid off.

Hopper commenced her showjumping career in August 2012 and after regularly gaining good results in unaffiliated competitions, Lottie began attending British Showjumping shows using tickets to ride. Then in September 2013, Lottie’s grandparents kindly paid for Lottie and Hopper’s British Showjumping membership and the combination began accruing affiliated results. A successful time followed in which numerous double clears, placings and qualifications were achieved, but unfortunately in July 2014, Hopper was involved in a bad field accident which resulted in a fractured face, damaged confidence and time out of work.

Despite this setback, Lottie and Hopper actually went on to finish seventh in 2014’s National Recognition Awards, just two points short of sixth. Since that point, topping the league has very much been the focus for the combination and after amassing 454 points between 1st October 2014 and 30th September 2015, they were this year’s clear winners.

A clearly proud Lottie said of her horse “Hopper has been truly incredible this year and we have accomplished a huge amount. This year’s highlights include qualifying for and competing at the Blue Chip Winter Championships, being selected to jump as part of the Wiltshire team in a National Team Jumping qualifier and qualifying for the Southern Bronze League Semi-Final. I am delighted with everything that we have achieved together, but I am especially proud of Hopper and the horse that she has become. She really does have the biggest heart and I am thrilled that she has been given the recognition that she deserves.”

The British Showjumping RoR National Recognition Awards provide a focus for ex-racehorses that have started Showjumping with the national governing body. There are a total of six cash awards that are given to the highest graded horses during the given twelve month period. A £2,500 award is given to the winning combination with the five additional winners each receiving £500 each. To ensure as many retrained horses are given the opportunity of being recognised and encouraged to compete within a new discipline, previous title holders are not eligible for future consideration.

1st Bluegrass Hopper – Owned by Craig Gibbens and ridden by Charlotte Gibbens
2nd I’m A Bird – Owned and ridden by Anneli Larsson
3rd Merry Vic – Owned and ridden by Marcus Gorman
4th Gaul Wood – Owned and ridden by Monica Heise
5th Bunacurry – Owned and ridden by Claire Halliday
6th Lets Move It – Owned and ridden by Amelia Scholl

For further information about British Showjumping and the Retraining of Racehorses Recognition Awards 2016, please contact the British Showjumping Membership Department on 02476 698824. To register your horse with Retraining of Racehorses, please do so online by visiting www.ror.org.uk.

Recent South West News
	Adverse Weather Conditions - Show Updates 16/02/2022
	Tack Thefts at British Showjumping Shows 12/02/2022
	Jan 2022 - The Jump North Tour: Four Tournaments – Two Venues 02/01/2022