Six stars of the future share the top spot in the Prestige Italia Big Star Championship Qualifier at Hickstead
Wednesday 26 June 2019
The 2019 Prestige Italia Big Star Championship Qualifiers continued on Saturday with thirty-nine starters heading down to the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead during the Derby Meeting week to compete for a Championship Final place.
The Prestige Italia Big Star Championship, formerly known as the National Six Year Old Championship, was renamed in 2017 in honour of Big Star, a previous winner of the National Six Year Old Championship who went on to win the Individual Gold medal at Rio 2016.
Results are based on clear rounds and the competing combinations do not jump against the clock, therefore all riders were aiming to achieve a treble clear to ensure a qualifying place for the Prestige Italia Big Star Championship Final which will be held during the British Showjumping National Championships at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire (6th – 11th August 2019).
Of the initial field of thirty-nine, twenty combinations jumped clear over course designer Jason Abbs’ eleven fence first round track. Twelve were then able to jump clear in the second round and six went on to jump that all-important third clear in the final round.
Alfie Bradstock takes through two rides with Gainsborough and Iburg whilst William Funnell adds another Billy Stud horse to the mix with Billy Everest. Ronnie Lee Jones takes forward Interstar B, winner of the Newcomers Second Round at Bicton last month. Local man David Simpson also gains a spot in the final with I’m Special Too DHH. Joao Charlesworth produces the sixth and final treble clear with Unbreakable Z.
Hickstead Derby Meeting – Saturday 22nd June 2019
Prestige Italia Big Star Championship Qualifier Results
=1st Alfie Bradstock & Gainsborough
=1st Alfie Bradstock & Iburg
=1st David Simpson & I’m Special Too DHH
=1st Joao Charlesworth & Unbreakable Z
=1st Ronnie Lee Jones & Interstar B
=1st William Funnell & Billy Everest
NB: Qualifications will be updated pending official grading of results.
.jpg "Harry Charles and LT Holst Freda Secure Historic World Championship Bronze")