Darren Smith wins the British Showjumping Business Partnership Winter Novice Qualifier

 

Last weekend saw Richmond Equestrian Centre host another British Showjumping Business Partnership Winter Novice Qualifier. With over fifty competitors all competing for the two qualifying tickets that were on offer, the course designer Keith McVittie knew he had to build a testing course.

 

Twenty of the fifty six starters jumped clear in the first round to make it into the jump off with only seven of those jumping clear again. It was 23 year old Darren Smith from Stockton-on-Tees that took the first place prize fund along with the first of the qualifying places riding Emma White’s 9 year old bay gelding Baily VIII. The pair jumped two foot perfect rounds in a jump off time of 33.35 seconds to give them the win.

 

Second place went to 19 year old Alison Barton from Bradford, West Yorkshire riding Desmond Le Marquand’s 7 year old bay stallion Eclips V. This partnership also jumped double clear in a jump off time of 34.25 seconds meaning they took the second qualifying ticket that was on offer.

 

Third place just outside the qualifying position was Laura Stephenson from Keighley, West Yorkshire riding Harvey Smiths 5 year old bay gelding Balmonde. Jumping clear in the jump off in a time of 34.44 seconds narrowly missing out on that sought after qualification.

The British Showjumping Business Partnership Winter Novice Final will take place at the Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead 2012.