Girl Power! Emma-Jo Slater and Abi Leadbetter take the NAF Five Star Winter Silver and Bronze League titles at the British Showjumping Spring Championships
Monday 20 March 2023
.jpg "Girl Power! Emma-Jo Slater and Abi Leadbetter take the NAF Five Star Winter Silver and Bronze League titles at the British Showjumping Spring Championships")
The NAF Five Star Winter League Silver and Bronze Finals at the British Showjumping Spring Championships proved a huge success at its new venue Arena UK Show Centre in Grantham, Lincolnshire, drawing riders from the length and breadth of the country to bid for the generous prizes on offer.
The speedy Emma-Jo Slater lifted the NAF Five Star Winter Silver League title with a devastatingly quick round on Kim Barzilay’s home-bred Kimba Flamenco to make her flying visit from Buckinghamshire worthwhile.
“We came here with the intention to win,” said Kim.
Eighteen of the thirty-four finalists forward passed the test over the 12-fence 1.20m course set to qualify for the jump-off, the on-form Emma-Jo claiming three of the rides. She had the win sewn up by seventh draw, taking advantage of the stride and experience of Kimba Flamenco (Je T’Aime Flamenco x Heartbreaker) – a former five-star ride for Billy Twomey, forging ahead to win by 0.66 seconds.
After competing for four years at top level with Billy, Flamenco (aka Codie) will now have a quieter life at home.
“He’s 14 now and done his job in the big classes, we’re going to keep him happy competing at a lower level but he’s not aged 20, there’s still plenty left and he’s enjoying life,” said Kim. “I don’t think I could part with him now, he’s been my horse of a lifetime, giving us great times and taking us to amazing places – he’s staying here forever.”
Emma-Jo, who produced Codie, the first foal of her all-time favourite multiple winner Uttah Van Het Indehof, from baby days in British novice up to 1.35m, is thrilled to get reacquainted with her old partner.
“It’s great to have him back and it doesn’t matter how big the fences get, we know each other so well,” said Emma-Jo, who will share the ride with Ben Walker. “Ben will jump him in classes 1.40m and above as I want to stay in Silver League.”
Abi Leadbetter broke the 30 second barrier in a hot, nine-horse decider to take the NAF Five Star Winter Bronze League Championship on Anita Leadbetter’s Hearts Cruise with 0.94 second to spare.
“She just loves speed and is so careful,” said Abi.
County-Durham-based Abi, 19, a full-time eventing groom, spotted the Corrado G x Heartbreaker 8-year-old for sale on Facebook three years ago.
“We fell for her straightaway even though she broke two headcollars as we were viewing her. She’s not at all spooky in the ring, but at home she spooks at anything and regularly deposits me on the floor. She’s a proper character but my horse of a lifetime,” added Abi.
Results
NAF Five Star Winter Silver League Championship - 19 March, 2023
1st Emma-Jo Slater & Kimba Flamenco - 0/0 - 32.70 seconds
2nd Carl Davies & Affordable Equine Limited Feldorado Van De Zeilhoek - 0/0 - 33.66 seconds
3rd Emily Morris & Westpoint Foreign Affair - 0/0 - 33.69 seconds
NAF Five Star Winter Bronze League Championship - 19 March, 2023
1st Abigail Leadbetter & Hearts Cruise - 0/0 - 29.22 seconds
2nd Chloe Burns & Mr Jaco - 0/0 - 31.16 seconds
3rd Becky King & Rinette P - 0/0 - 31.92 seconds
NAF Five Star:
NAF’s premium range of Five Star brands include Superflex, Superflex Senior, PROFEET, Optimum, Magic, Oestress and Respirator Boost with quality at the heart of everything they do. They are a UFAS (Universal Feed Assurance Scheme), GMP+ (International Feed Assurance Scheme) and BETA NOPS (Naturally Occuring Prohibited Substances) accredited company and this enables them to guarantee full traceability on all the natural ingredients they utilise in their formulations, which are also selected in compliance with the FEI guidelines for Clean Sport. For further information, visit www.naf-equine.eu/uk/index.jsp.
1inbbkeu36fgo.jpg "Zara Nicholls Races to Top Spot in the STX-UK Pony British Novice Second Round at Weston Lawns")
.jpg "Marcella Johnstone and Will Brown Reach for the Stars in the second NAF Five Star Bronze and Silver League Qualifiers")
7y6b55koibbj.jpg "Brian Thompson and Alex Hewett are winners in the Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Second Rounds")
