Laura Kirkham Claims Victory in Ariat Senior British Novice Championship Second Round at Ponderosa

The Ariat Senior British Novice Championship Second Round at Ponderosa Equestrian Centre attracted a competitive field of 21 rider and horse combinations at the weekend, all vying for qualification to the prestigious final at the British Showjumping National Championships this August. 

Course designer Kevin Bull set a track that proved both inviting and influential, with riders needing to maintain consistency across the opening rounds to keep their championship hopes alive. The standard was high throughout the class, and 11 combinations successfully negotiated both first rounds without fault to secure their place in a thrilling jump-off. 

With qualification and top honours on the line, the pace intensified in the final round as riders looked to balance speed with precision. Producing the quickest of the clear rounds was Laura Kirkham aboard her own Claro Van De Saffelberg Z. The pair delivered a confident and efficient performance, crossing the finish line fault-free in 42.90 seconds to take the victory. 

Finishing in second place was Rachel Vicary riding New Addition 1. The combination also produced an excellent clear round, stopping the clock in 45.19 seconds. 

Close behind in third was Megan Betteridge aboard Flamencos Double Trouble, who maintained a faultless scorecard and secured a podium finish with a time of 45.35 seconds. 

The class showcased the talent and determination of combinations progressing through the Ariat Senior British Novice Championship pathway, with riders now turning their attention to the championship final. Having successfully negotiated the challenges of the Second Round, the qualified combinations can look forward to competing on one of the sport’s biggest domestic stages at the British Showjumping National Championships in August. 

“Claro has just turned seven and we have been together a year this month. After the recent passing of my Dad, [two weeks ago] he was quite the avid follower of myself and Claro, I hadn’t really been feeling like my heads been in the game, but he wanted me to get my place at Nationals. I have been trying so hard to obtain this triple clear for a couple of occasions now and I kept forfeiting a pole, every time in the third round, so to be able to finally achieve this was brilliant and then to win was just another level. Claro also produced a lovely triple clear, finishing third and qualifying for the Nupafeed Discovery second round on Sunday. It was absolutely amazing to get the two qualifications in one weekend. 

“I jumped the other second rounds before my Dad passed and he kept asking what I was going wrong and why did I keep getting a pole down in that third round! I tried so hard to do it while he was with us, travelling [from East Yorkshire] to Rectory Farm, Onley, Dean Valley, I’ve been all over, I thought I just can’t do it! Ponderosa was a last minute thing, things were traumatic at home, but I knew Dad would want me to go down and give it a go. So, I went on my own, it took five hours, I got lost, Claro spooked at some branches on the roof of the lorry, reared up on the tack locker, hit her head on the roof - it was a stressful journey! We got there at eleven pm and I thought what am I doing! But I said to myself, tomorrow is another day and we smashed out the bag on both days. It was so emotional! Each round I whispered in my head, be with me Dad, I need some luck! 

“The courses were lovely and rode well, we went in and give it our best shot and went for it. The mare is such a trier, even if I’m slightly off a stride, she’s so brave. It was nice to see so many getting through confidently to the third round in both the Novice and Discovery, they were both very competitive classes. 

“I am looking forward to going to the Nationals, I used to go there as a child so I will be reliving my youth from twenty years ago. We are also looking forward to hopefully qualifying for the British Showjumping National Amateur Championships.” Laura said. 

Ariat Senior British Novice Championship Second Round 

Ponderosa E C, Saturday 6 June 2026 

1st – Laura Kirkham & Claro Van De Saffelberg Z – 0/0/0 42.90 

2nd – Rachel Vicary & New Addition 1 – 0/0/0 45.19 

3rd – Megan Betteridge & Flamencos Double Trouble – 0/0/0 45.35 

NB Results pending official grading   

Image: Wickedpixs