Bella Wild will make a return to the Royal International Horse Show with victory in the SEIB Winter Novice Qualifier at Aintree Equestrian Centre
Monday 27 January 2025
Bella Wild was in flying form to seize victory in the SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier on Donna Z I at Aintree Equestrian Centre’s Winter Classic II, booking her place at the Royal International Final.
“I’m really pleased to have won!” said Cheshire-based Bella, who last jumped in the hallowed Hickstead arena two years ago on 138cm ponies. “I think I won it on the turn into the double, she turns really well, and I can always trust her to leave the jumps up.”
Storm Eowyn had tried its best to batter Britain and as a result, Aintree’s organisers opted to cancel all Friday’s classes and for horses to remain in the stables all day for Health and Safety reasons. The centre generously refunded entries for those affected, while the majority classes were rescheduled for the remaining two days, marking a 7am start for some. Although the SEIB Winter Novice was originally scheduled for Saturday, it was changed to a single-phase to fit in with the revised schedule.
Forty-eight competitors faced course-designer Raf Suarez’s 12-fence 1.10m track with Bella’s lightning-quick round coming in the 33rd draw on Donna Z.
“The course changing to a single phase suited my horse as she loves to run and jump but is so adjustable and clever,” said Bella.
Jack Martin made a supreme effort a few horses later to stop the clock 0.26 seconds in arrears to take second on the Irish-bred six-year-old Hilton S (Stetter x Diamond Roller). Molly Bennett was a quarter of a second behind to slip into the third and final Hickstead qualifying place on the PSH Ulysses 16-year-old PSH Convivial – bred in Wales by Power Sport Horses and a bronze medallist in the Eventing 2018 Asian Games for China’s Alex Hua Tian.
Bella, 15, bought Donna, a Dallas VDL x Cassinland seven-year-old, as a three-year-old off a Facebook advert.
“I just completely fell in love! I bought her out of my savings and broke her in myself, but while I was busy with ponies, Anya Brown carefully started her in her jumping career and did a fantastic job,” said Bella. “She’s sassy but kind with a great temperament and a pleasure to own.
“Returning to jump at Hickstead is very exciting for me, the last Time I jumped in the main arena was in 2023 on the 138cm Ice Cube Van Duyversputten. It’s my favourite arena and I think she’ll love it there – I’m so excited to see what the future holds for her,” added Bella, who has moved onto horses early.
Aintree Equestrian Centre Winter Classic II – 25 January 2025
SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier
1st Bella Wild & Donna Z I 0/0 - 32.00
2nd Jack Martin & Hilton S – 0/0 - 32.26
3rd Molly Bennett & PSH Convivial – 0/0 - 32.51
NB Results pending final grading
Image: Majestic Photography
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