Rosabella Harrison from Suffolk Junior Academy is July’s NAF Shining Star
Monday 08 August 2022
Rosabella Harrison from Norfolk has been awarded June’s NAF Shining Star. She is a member of British Showjumping’s Suffolk Junior Academy and was nominated for the award by her coach, Mia Palles-Clark.
Rosabella has two ponies she is currently competing: Flash, a 17 year-old gelding whom she has had since Christmas 2021 and they started their British Showjumping journey in February, and Dimple, known as Dimple the Best, also a 17 year-old gelding who joined Rosabella in June 2022. Flash loves jumping and has the biggest character and the heart of a lion! His favourite snacks are Haribo Tangfastics! Dimple is a very laid-back gentleman who really loves his showjumping, and he quite likes Dolly Mixtures!
Following the news that she was the winner of July’s NAF Shining Star, Rosabella said: “I’m really shocked to have been given this award as I see so many good riders at training and shows. I am very proud to hear about this award and have given my ponies extra cuddles tonight!”
This year, Rosabella has enjoyed being able to go to more competitions as part of British Showjumping, Pony Club and Riding Club but her highlight of the year has been riding at Hickstead in May for the NSEA Championships. This was an especially great achievement as Rosabella has only been showjumping since July 2021 as she previously used to just do dressage and has only been a British Showjumping member since the start of 2022. In the last year she has progressed from jumping 40cm to comfortably jumping 90cm.
Rosabella has recently qualified for the NAF 1* Finals as well as being selected to represent the Academy teams in August which she is very excited about. Following this, she will aim to jump her ponies at the Sunshine Tour at Hickstead.
Mia Palles-Clark, Coach of the Suffolk Junior Academy, says: “Rosabella joined us at the beginning of the year and is a seriously determined young lady! In her first coaching session she was mortified to be jumped off. She thought it was terrible, although I was very impressed with her resilience and determination.
Rosabella rode for the Suffolk academy team in February half term at the Inter-Academy Show where the team came 3rd in the mini competition. Rosabella will represent Suffolk again at the Academy Championship show in a couple of weeks’ time in both the Mini and the Midi teams. She now has two ponies to jump and is becoming seriously competitive, but she doesn't forget to also be a great team member and always supports fellow riders.
Rosabella has also completed her 1* NAF award with plans for the NAF 5* final and completing more of the star awards. This young lady is one to watch for the future. I am happy to be part of her journey and she's a great representative for Suffolk academy”.
Speaking about what she enjoys most about being part of the Suffolk Academy, Rosabella said: “I love training with Suffolk because my coach Mia is very supportive. She helps me to get things right especially with my striding which I find quite tricky because my pony can go quite fast and cover lots of ground! I have also loved making friends since riding in the academy and I often see them out at shows which is great as we can walk courses together and cheer each other on”.
Lisa Field from NAF added: “Rosabella is an extremely keen young rider, and it is wonderful to see how much she has progressed with her showjumping in such a short space of time whilst being a part of Suffolk Academy. For someone who has only been showjumping for one year, she has already achieved so much and there’s so much to look forward to as she continues to progress as a British Showjumping member. Well done Rosabella on being awarded the NAF Shining Star for July. Keep working hard and dream big, we can’t wait to see what you achieve next”.
The NAF Shining Star Award was introduced when NAF became a British Showjumping Business Partner. The award is for members of a Junior Academy who have shown a great deal of commitment, progression, and outstanding behaviour along with their riding ability and much more. Riders are nominated by their lead coach, and then judged and awarded by NAF to one person each month.
Further information on the British Showjumping Academy Show will soon be available on the British Showjumping website.
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