Katie Wood takes the top spot in the National Pony Silver League 128cm Final
Sunday 16 August 2015
The sun was out for the National Pony Silver League 128cm Final today, adding to the already lively atmosphere. With the anticipation building in the collecting ring, riders were biting at the bit for the chance to show off their pocket rocket ponies.
Ria Scott kicked off the first round with a fantastic performance and a foot perfect clear. This was followed by a further 9 clear rounds out of 12, promising a thrilling jump off. The course included a triple combination designed to challenge the young riders, but many managed to take this in their stride with wonderful precision from most.
Friends, family and spectators lined the ring filled with nerves and excitement creating a wonderful atmosphere for the riders to showcase themselves and their gifted ponies. These young talents soaked up the atmosphere and enjoyed their time in the spotlight. With the clears coming in thick and fast, competitors knew that they would have to take risks to succeed in the jump off as it would all come down to timing.
As the intensity of the competition mounted, riders were challenged to dig deep and put their all into the jump off. Some combinations faltered slightly under the pressure of the course. Katie Wood however, thrived in the heat of the competition and completed a double clear with a jump off time of 33.07 seconds.
Katie has been riding since she was 2, now at ten years old she is fast becoming one of Britain’s rising stars. Katie said “I’ve had him (Picketspride Country Squire) for a year, he’s my first British Showjumping pony and it’s really nice having him”. With 8 years of experience and a National title under her belt, Katie has her sights set on HOYS, and given todays performance, it doesn’t seem too far out of reach.
Results
1st Katie Wood and Picketspride Country Squire
2nd Emelia Mitchell and Wyndham Tom Thumb
3rd Emilie Wright and Billy Two Rivers
4th Jake Barton and Leo The Lion Heart II
5th Ria Scott and Bunbury Conquest
6th Rosie Collins and Bradmore Mystique
Photo Credit: 1st Class Images
All British Showjumping National Championships and Stoneleigh Horse Show 2015 is hosted at the National Agricultural and Exhibition Centre (NAEC), Stoneleigh, Warwickshire during the 11th-16th August. For further information, please visit www.bsnationalchampionships.co.uk
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