Brian Thompson and Alex Hewett are winners in the Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Second Rounds
Wednesday 07 May 2025
7y6b55koibbj.jpg "Brian Thompson and Alex Hewett are winners in the Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Second Rounds")
A busy weekend of showjumping saw two Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Second Round competitions take place at Harrogate and Pyecombe.
At Harrogate Riding Centre, a total of 22 horses embarked on the first round with delivering 14 delivering clear rounds to advance to the second. From there, 9 pairs soared through the course with clear rounds, setting the stage for an exciting jump-off.
In a display of skill and speed, Brian Thompson utilised all his experience and emerged as the victor piloting Millfield Polka Dot, a six-year-old mare owned by Millfield Stud. The pair skilfully cleared both rounds before tackling the jump-off, completing it in 41.18 seconds - 3.08 seconds faster than the runner-up.
Darren Smith and Bethany Stephenson’s Lady Cobra Cruise picked up second place, crossing the finish in a time of 44.26 seconds whilst Evie Fletcher finished just behind them in third with Amy Fletcher’s Cassarco, 0.89 seconds in arrears.
Sue Jagger, from the Millfield Stud, said: “She is a lovely but fairly novice horse. She had a foal as a four-year-old so wasn’t started until a five year old, but her mother is a 1.60m international showjumper so we have high hopes for her.
“It was one of those classes where if you gallop round, you are likely to have a fence down, so Brian wanted to do enough with her but not go crazy. We wanted to give her an easy run out and just allow her to have some fun and it all went quite right on the day. She made it look easy.”
Harrogate Riding Centre - Sunday, 4 May 2025
Nupafeed Senior Discovery
1st – Brian Thompson & Millfield Polka Dot - 0/0/0 41.18 seconds
2nd – Darren Smith & Lady Cobra Cruise - 0/0/0 44.26 seconds
3rd – Evie Fletcher & Cassarco - 0/0/0 45.18 seconds
Meanwhile, at Pyecombe Equestrian Centre, 46 starters came forward to contend Keith Bristow’s 1.05m track with an impressive 18 combinations advancing to the jump-off, Emma-Jo Slater claiming four of those rides.
In a hotly contested jump-off where just 0.24 seconds separated first to third and with eight jumping triple clear, it was Alex Hewett, riding Sarah Hewett’s Nonnie Anouk A, who stormed through the finish line in the quickest time of 33.90 seconds to take the accolade.
Emma-Jo chased had but had to settle for second place with Kim Barzilay’s six-year-old Kimba Luidun, just 0.17 seconds separating her from 1st place. Thomas Pritchard slotted into third riding KL Crosbycandy, the six-year-old mare owned by Kington Langley Stud, 0.38 seconds further off the pace.
Reflecting on their journey at the qualifier, Alex said: “I went in with an open mind as she’s only just seven and wanted to take each round as it come to see how she felt. We haven’t pushed her in her training and taken our time, so this was a step up for her.
“We went clear in round one, then she needed a bit of hand holding in round two as it was quite big and windy. I was third last to go in the jump-off, so I watched a few to see what was working and what wasn’t. Mum said to do the turns if I wanted too and I think I would have been annoyed at myself if I hadn’t given it a go. When we went in, she just felt so up for it and so confident and was just amazing.
“I’m really looking forward to the finals as I know it will be bigger and better, and I can’t wait to see what she’s capable of. We are also looking to take her to Hickstead in June and then maybe the Pony Club JCB Championships if we qualify but just keep her ticking over this summer.”
Talking about the mare, affectionately known as Annie at home, Alex added: “She is just the loveliest horse, so kind-hearted and she just wants to be your friend. When we got her as a three year old all she wanted to do was be with you and as we’ve brought her on, she truly is my perfect horse. She’s not quirky, loves her job and is just a big softy.”
Alex’s mum, Sarah, added: “Alex has done everything with her from a three-year-old. We were so excited when they won, she’s such a kind horse and when it all comes together on the day it’s just incredible.”
In the Senior British Novice Second Rounds at Pyecombe, Darcy Baillie and Blue Conye outpace their 38 rivals to take top spot in a speedy 38.56 seconds. Emma-Jo Slater gave another good account of herself, taking home second and third place with Chacala Blue and Kimba Baloulina, 3.77 seconds and 4.82 seconds off the winning time respectively.
Pyecombe Equestrian Centre – Sunday, 4 May 2025
Nupafeed Senior Discovery
1st – Alex Hewett & Nonnie Anouk A - 0/0/0 33.90 seconds
2nd – Emma-Jo Slater & Kimba Luidun - 0/0/0 34.07 seconds
3rd – Thomas Pritchard & KL Crosbycandy - 0/0/0 34.35 seconds
NB: Results pending official grading.
Image: Spidge Event Photography (right)
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