Morgan Shirley from East Sussex takes the top spot in the SEIB Winter Novice Qualifier at Arena UK
Monday 22 January 2018
A swift yet precise double clear rewarded East Sussex competitor Morgan Shirley with a win in the second SEIB Winter Novice Qualifier of 2018 at Arena UK over the weekend. Also claiming one of the two qualification places on offer for this year’s Championship Final which will be held at the prestigious Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead, West Sussex later this summer.
With a determined effort from each starter in the eighty-one strong field, all of whom were chasing the top spot and the two qualifying places on offer, competition was tough. With such a large field entered and contesting the Championship Qualifier a challenging course was set by Course Designer Jason Abbs. After the first round the remaining field of a still strong thirty-eight combinations went head to head against the clock with just seven producing a second round clear to settle the final line up.
Riding Lee Botting’s 9 year-old bay gelding Mr MacVicar, Morgan stepped up to the plate and secured her place in the jump off having ridden a concise clear in the first round. Proving they had the consistency and speed to win, the combination delivered an unbeatable double clear in a timely 44.40 seconds.
Second place was taken by locally based Gainsborough rider Chelsea Mae Skelton. Paired with Ivor Fox’s aptly named Prosperous K, a 6 year-old bay mare, the combination produced a reputable double clear in 46.38 seconds.
Arena UK – Sunday 21st January 2018
SEIB Winter Novice Qualifier Results
1st Morgan Shirley & Mr MacVicar - 0/0 – 44.40 seconds
2nd Chelsea Mae Skelton & Prosperous K - 0/0 – 46.38 seconds
NB: Qualifications will be updated on the website pending official grading of results.
SEIB:
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Image credit: Equipics
