Annabel Shields secures victory in the Events Through A Lens Talent Seeker Incorporating the 7-year-old Championship Qualifier at The Scottish Summer Extravaganza
Tuesday 11 July 2023
Annabel Shields hit top form to celebrate her birthday in style with the top spot in the Events Through A Lens Talent Seeker Incorporating the 7-year-old Championship Qualifier on Guy Williams’ Elgrando PS at The Scottish Summer Extravaganza.
“I was early to go so I had to take a few gambles but he’s got a huge stride and it worked in my favour as it put the pressure on,” said County Durham-based Annabel.
A total of 66 competitors came forward over course-designer Mark McGowan’s 12-fence track which started at a height of 1.30m, and 22 found the key to go forward into a competitive jump-off. Annabel found the shortest route on the 11-year-old Elgrando PS (Eldorado Van De Zeshoek x Conterno Grande) but it was tight, the pair edging ahead by only 0.34 seconds.
“I’d hoped for a better draw than fourth and wished we could change places with my second, very green horse but it worked. I was quick between one and two and took a stride out down the middle from vertical to oxer, I think Ronnie [Jones, second] and I got that. He’s very easy to adjust, I can turn tight and still take a stride out,” said Annabel, on the ‘Big, gentle giant’ known as Graham or Big G. “He’s absolutely huge. I only got him in November but we’ve won a lot already; we’ve really bonded, he loves me and I love him.”
Ronnie Jones steered the Pacino x Ard VDL Douglas 10-year-old Thomascourt Emirates into second and Kelly Connor claimed third aboard the 12-year-old Glamour Boy H (Toulon x Concorde). The final qualifying place was handed to the top 7-year-old – John and Laura Renwick’s home-bred Angelina VII (Arko III x Couleur Rubin) piloted by James Smith – the fastest four-faulter in ninth place.
The Scottish Summer Extravaganza – Friday, 7 July 2023
Events Through A Lens Talent Seeker Incorporating the 7-year-old Championship Qualifier
1st Annabel Shields & Elgrando PS – 0/0 - 34.60 seconds
2nd Ronnie Jones & Thomascourt Emirates – 0/0 - 34.94 seconds
3rd Kelly Connor & Glamour Boy H – 0/0 - 35.31 seconds
NB: Qualifications pending official grading of results.
Image: Sinclair Photography
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