Annabel Shields claims the top Hickstead pass in the SEIB Winter Novice Championship qualifier at Morris Equestrian Centre
Tuesday 21 November 2023
Annabel Shields was in flying form to take the SEIB Winter Novice qualifier on B.E. Flygold at Morris Equestrian Centre in Scotland.
“I’ve only got him six weeks ago and we went abroad with him to Dunkerque, [France], and Sentower Park [Belgium] and he jumped well over 1.25/1.30m tracks out there,” said Annabel, on John Chadwick’s Stakkato Gold x Laughtons Flight six-year-old.
Forty competitors came forward to face course-designer John Bedford’s 12-fence track starting at 1.10m in this class open to Newcomer horses, and 19 supplied initial clears to qualify for the jump-off.
A speedy Annabel was the sole rider to break the 30 second barrier to take the premium spot with 0.48 seconds in hand.
“He’s naturally quick and careful but can be quite a character. He can be spooky, especially at a new place, but he’s a nice one and likes to keep the jumps up,” said Annabel, who has Newcomer and Foxhunter Second Round plans for 2024.
Graham Babes also picked up a coveted Hickstead ticket for the Royal International Horse Show Final in July with Hercule De La Villa, a Diamant De Semilly 6-year-old out of an Arko III mare competed for the past eight months.
Morris Equestrian Centre, Kilmarnock
SEIB Winter Novice qualifier – 18 November, 2023
1st Annabel Shields & B.E. Flygold – 0/0 - 29.84 seconds
2nd Graham Babes & Hercule De La Villa – 0/0 - 30.32 seconds
3rd Chloe Templeton & Great Joy – 0/0 - 31.07 seconds
NB: Results pending official grading.
Image: Jamie Agnew Photography
SEIB Insurance Brokers provides specialist equestrian insurance throughout the UK and internationally. With over 50 years of experience, SEIB offers a range of equestrian insurance from horses to horseboxes, trailers, stables, cars, home, farriers and other specialist equestrian trades plus riding schools and livery yards. The SEIB Winter Novice Championship is a popular series made up of ten national qualifying rounds which are held ahead of the Championship Final, which will once again be run during the prestigious Longines Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead (24 - 18 July 2024). For more details, visit hickstead.co.uk
