Cheers, clears and tears of joy – the UNIBED - High Performance Equine Bedding Academy Championship brings competitors from nationwide together!
Thursday 10 August 2023
Experience, learning, comradeship, affinity and most of all, Fun with a capital F – it could only be the UNIBED – High Performance Equine Bedding Academy Teams and Individual Championships as the British Showjumping three-day extravaganza at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, drew to a close.
Tom Bucknall, from the Hereford and Worcester Academy, skilfully guided Roxy III into the top spot of the UNIBED - High Performance Equine Bedding Advanced Individual title to round off the three days of jumping winning a much-wanted rug.
“It’s the first time I’ve won a rug and sash. It’s great to return and win – I was second in the Pony British Novice Final two years ago on Fantasy, pipped by the last to go,” said Tom, 15, who, at 5ft 11in and still growing, had to move off ponies and onto horses early.
Fifty-six riders contended the 1.10m course with Tom forging ahead on the big-striding mare to win by 0.56 seconds. Tom has been riding Caroline Webley’s 13-year-old Roxy for the past six months.
“She’s a typical chestnut mare and absolutely hates tractors but tries her heart out and would bust a gut for you, but she can be pretty level and easy at home,” said Tom, who has set his sights on joining the Household Cavalry and train to be a farrier.
Evie Denton of the Hampshire Hitters eased Commitment into second place with Lancashire & Cheshire Gold representative Tillie Orton filling third spot on MVS Hailee.
Darcy Breen, a representative of the Sussex Swans and already winner of the NAF 5* Style and Performance Final earlier in the show, claimed a second win on Pixie in the UNIBED - High Performance Equine Bedding Maxi Individual Final.
Forty-one riders came forward over the 1.05m track with Darcy, 14, and the Cevin Z x Indoctro 8-year-old mare Pixie cruising ahead to win with almost two seconds in hand.
“I’ve done very few shows with her as I’ve been concentrating on the Children-on-Horses European Championships with Kunis and I also board at Hurst School. This is only her third show back since April,” said Darcy. “The focus for 2024 is aiming for the Pony European Championships.”
Darcy’s Mum Chloe was full of praise for the organisation of the Sussex Area Academy – “I want to say a big thank you to Judy Piper-Dadswell, her organisational skills are second to none.”
Lucie Williamson of Team Bannockburn eased Carrowbeg Suzie into second and Norfolk Star Evie Bond Smith claimed third on Tregaron Gold.
From a huge start list of 93 competitors, Lauren Carpenter landed the UNIBED - High Performance Equine Bedding Intermediate 90cm Individual title with Mirano with 1.74 seconds to spare.
“He’s had a break since November and only jumped at two shows at Allens Hill, so he’s come back fresh and raring to go,” said Hereford and Worcester Area 33 member Lauren, 20, who lives just five minutes from Allens Hill.
Lauren splits her time between her love of showjumping and working at Ben Pauling’s racing yard.
“I’m getting my Point-to-Point licence this year,” said Lauren, who works at the racing stables in the morning and rides at home in the afternoon. “My Mum, Christine, is very helpful and mucks out and feeds for me every morning.”
The 11-year-old Mirano was purchased four years ago.
“He’s jumping up to Foxhunter and I’m hoping to move up to 1.30m level next year. He can get very excited but he’s horse-shy and scared of life in general. He’s happier in the ring, a little spooky but he works on the trust he has with me,” said Lauren, who relies on trainer Hannah Jackson’s advice.
Kate Barrett from the winning team of Normal for Norfolk claimed second place on Marley’s Clover and Rosie Walker of the third-placed Norfolk Canaries team jumped Furelise into third.
Kirstin Robbins emerged the best of the UNIBED - High Performance Equine Bedding Midi 90cm Individual Championship with Park Mr Smart.
A massive entry of 132 contended the 90cm courses over two days with Kirstin, 15, representing the Sussex Swordfish, convincingly claiming the top spot by more than four seconds on the experienced 19-year-old Mr Smart.
“He’s the yard favourite, has the best personality and is always very happy and a little cheeky – everyone loves him. He gets excited at a show but is always well behaved,” said Kirstin. “He did everything I asked and he saved me at one fence, chipping in and helping me out, he’s amazing.”
Megan Biggs of the Essex Pearls finished second with Eliza Doolittle III and Lancashire and Cheshire Yellow member Beau Williams rode Gwyndyucha Ko-Ko into third.
Amelie Bradshaw has enjoyed the most terrific show with two championship titles to her credit in the National Club Junior 60cm and the Summer Individual Schools 60cm Final. She finished the final day on a high as a member of the winning Lancashire and Cheshire Blue team in the UNIBED - High Performance Equine Bedding Mini Team 70cm and claimed the Individual title with the super-charged Ocknell Wooden It Be Nice.
“It’s crazy, amazing,” said a delighted and overwhelmed Amelie.
A mammoth 190 competitors came forward in the UNIBED - High Performance Equine Bedding Mini 70cm Individual Championship over two days of competition but Amelie beat them all. Putting all her trust in the 15-year-old ‘Woody’, Amelie rode tight lines and cut the corners to almost impossible angles to secure victory by 1.44 seconds.
“I was nervous at the start but after my first turn I got the adrenalin going and went for it,” said Amelie, 12, who inherited Woody from brother Zach two years ago. “The turns won it.”
Evie Fletcher of the Derbyshire Diamonds finished second on Everything Up and Two and Mia Cheetham of the Lancashire and Cheshire Blue Team clinched third with Arrogan Emily TR.
Sussex Academy dominated the UNIBED - High Performance Equine Bedding Advanced Teams, taking first and second places over the 1.10m track. The Sussex Snipers of Lottie Adams and Evotion, Honor Redhouse with Gaga Lady, Darcy Breen aboard Kunis and Morten Dahl with Hello M’Lord produced the only zero score to stand at the top of the podium.
The Sussex Studs rode into second place and the Warwickshire Gizzly Bears finished third.
The Sussex Swans earned the UNIBED - High Performance Equine Bedding Maxi Teams Championship with the sole zero score. Pathfinder Darcy Breen jumped One Saharah, Gracie House rode Rathlee Warrior, Kirstin Robbins steered Sir Fancy Pants and Morten Dahl jumped aboard Killaloe Stepping Out, all stepped up to take victory and the lap of honour.
The Norfolk Stars slotted into second place and Scotland’s Bannockburn rode into third.
Normal for Norfolk triumphed in the UNIBED - High Performance Equine Bedding Intermediate 90cm Team title with a four second advantage. The quartet of Beth Wilkinson on Jamie Jouer, Evie Bond Smith with Laughtons Nazaratti, Sammie Barlow aboard Welshpool Lad and Kate Barrett riding Marley’s Clover secured the coveted title over 22 other teams.
Beds and Bucks Impressive Intermediates finished second with Norfolk Canaries filling third spot.
Team Glencoe lifted the UNIBED - High Performance Equine Bedding Midi Teams Final as 31 teams came forward over two rounds at 90cm. Daisy Sinclair on RB Just Flicka, Izzy Henderson riding Bobbys Return, Rebekka Sutherland aboard Triple Treat and Lucy MacGregor with Fantastic Mr Fox outpaced the rest by eight seconds to claim the coveted rugs and sashes.
Norfolk Rocks jumped into second place and Area 12A Orange finished third.
The Lancashire and Cheshire Blues proved victorious in the UNIBED - High Performance Equine Bedding Mini Teams Final. Thirty-seven teams took part in this class over two days of competition, with the squad of Amelie Bradshaw on Ocknell Wooden It Be Nice, Mia Cheetham with Arrogan Emily TR, Nyah Lucas riding MK007 and Ella Cheetham aboard Ferguson Uno taking the sashes, rugs and a triumphant lap of honour by the narrow margin of 0.73 seconds.
Scotland featured strongly as Team Kelpies finished second and Team Nessie slotted into third place.
The brilliant Club, Just 4 Schools and Academy Show is over for another year but we’re already looking forward to next year’s show – let’s make it bigger and better!
Image: Tom Bucknall & Roxy III Credit: Jasmine Punter Photography
UNIBED - High Performance Equine Bedding, is a family run bedding manufacturer based in North Yorkshire.
They pride themselves on producing high quality, highly absorbent and three times dust extracted straw bedding at an affordable price. Proving you do not need to comprise on efficiency and safety, when choosing an affordable bedding solution for your horse.
With prices starting from just £5.00 per bale, UNIBED will always strive to reach customers of all budgets and requirements for their horses.
You can visit their website today at www.unibedbedding.co.uk, to place a single pallet order or get in touch for more information.
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