Saturday at the British Showjumping National Championships
Saturday 06 August 2022
Starting off the penultimate day of the British Showjumping National Championships was the National 4- year-old Championship Final in UNIBED Arena 2, where Preston-based Danielle Ryder and Ecclestone Z were crowned champions. “He’s an amazing horse, he’s always so careful and he’s done nothing but clear rounds! He was Northcote Stud Young Horse 4-year-old champion so it was amazing that he can be the champion here as well. His father was also the champion here in the 4-year-old as well so there’s always more pressure on this horse” Danielle explained.
Winning the opening class and the National 1.25m Restricted Rider Championship title in Bucas Championship Arena 1 was Joe Trickett with 16-year-old One Two Watch II. The Shropshire-based competitor said, “The round was good, there were a few moments that were interesting, but he pulled it out of the bag for me and jumped very good. Going into the arena, I was just thinking ‘close my eyes and kick!’. He’s strong, he’s genuine, he’s careful, he tries to leave the jump up; that’s all you can ask.”
Last year’s winner, Deni Harper-Adams riding Be Home By Midnight, reclaimed the title of the Retraining of Racehorses Club League Championship Final 75cm for the second year. Also known as Millie, Be Home By Midnight was bred and trained locally. “She got me out of trouble a couple of times. I just wanted to get over that final jump still attached to the horse! I’ve had her 3-4 years and this year we have qualified for the club and qualified for some unaffiliated eventing championships. She’s also used for Equine Therapy at a riding school and therapeutic unit where she works with disengaged teenage girls and children with learning difficulties.”
Following on, South Shropshire-based Leonora Rowlandson and Uncle Timmy jumped to the top in the Retraining of Racehorses Club League Championship Final 90cm. “I was a bit annoyed to have the pole in the first round but I’m really happy with him. He only started jumping in September last year. He’s probably not the most experienced for a jump-off, so I wanted to take a bit more of a chance. “He’s the most lovely, easy, laid-back horse. As well as showjumping, he's also done some showing and I’m hoping to do a bit more eventing once the ground softens.”
Preston based Robert Murphy and the 9-year-old Immortality took the British Horse Feeds Speedi-Beet Horse of the Year Show Grade C Qualifier title in Arena 3. The pair have been competing 1.30/1.40 consistently now and are hoping to take the next step in the new year to jump a bit bigger. “I knew I had to be fast as there were a lot of clears, so I was just trying to keep it as quick and clean as possible. You’ve always got to take a bit of risk in a jump-off and it happened to go my way so I was happy! It’s always helpful to have multiple rides, you get to know the course, and which are the difficult fences to jump” Robert explains.
Later, back in UNIBED Arena 2, Reigate-based Monica Heise and Gaul Wood were crowned champions in the Retraining of Racehorses Bronze League Final. “I felt quite a lot of pressure going into the arena because he won at Hickstead last week. Moving forward we’re hoping to qualify for main ring at Hickstead.” Monica says. “Gaul Wood is just such a lovely character, I got him when he was 5 and we’ve jumped every year since. He’s also been here at the Nationals and jumped in the final a few times and been close” Monica continues.
Hannah Webber and Kristalanda II, known as Fay, claimed the title for the Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Championship Final against 68 entrants in Bucas Championship Arena 1. Based in Reading, Berkshire, Hannah has owned the 7-year-old mare since she was 5 and even produced her herself. “I didn’t really expect to win, there were a lot of good people. With 26 people in the jump-off but I just trusted her and tried my best. I knew there was one tight turn coming down to the last double and a lot of people were having downs, so I just knew I had to keep her going forward to get her clear over it.” “Fay came 2nd at the Blue Chip Championships so she’s been doing really well. Next year we’re aiming for Royal International and HOYS qualifiers.
With his second championship win of the week, Mark Edwards and 7-year-old Royale Tale took the Equitop Senior Newcomers Masters title in Bucas Championship Arena 1. When asked about his round, he said, “it was good, we were early in the draw, and I knew there were quite a few quick ones, so we just kept it really tight. It was a stiff in the jump-off, you have to respect the fences, but I was really confident, and she’s been in good form lately, so it was nice to get a win.”
Mark Edwards and Flying Tinker II also took the win in the final class of the day in Bucas Championship Arena 1 - The Horse of the Year Show International Wild Card Qualifier Incorporating The National Speed Horse Final. “We were really early in the draw and there were lots of options with lots of turn backs and we just went for it, he jumped really well.” “Three championships on three different horses so far this week, we’ve had a really strong season, and this is just making it even better. Flying Tinker II is just unbelievably careful and a pleasure to have around.” Mark comments.
After over 100 competitors started, Katie Shaw managed to clinch the National 1.15m Cup Final title with Fools Business in UNIBED Championship Arena 2. The Stafford-based competitor said that her round “was absolutely awesome. To be fair, I didn’t think we’d be quick enough, but he is quick. I saw the first few go and I saw how fast they were, but he was really good. I just thought we needed to get on with it.”
For the full result list from Saturday 6th August click here.
Watch live
The show will be available to watch on livestream if you are not able to make it in person, visit http://www.britishequestriansport.tv/, powered by ClipMyHorse.TV
British Showjumping Just For Schools, Club and Academy Championships
These Championships will be running directly after the British Showjumping National Championships tomorrow (7 August). Visit our Championship hub page to view lots of useful information.
Image: Mark Edwards and Flying Tinker II (C) 1st Class Images.
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