Scope Festival of Showjumping 2020 – Senior Round Up
Sunday 30 August 2020
James Smith made a successful return trip to Cheshire and, after taking a double of wins at Bolesworth the week before, landed the two feature classes at the Scope Festival at South View, including the Squibb Group 1.40m grand prix.
Nine of the twenty-nine grand prix starters reached the jump-off over course-designer Gillian Milner’s track but as James entered the ring on Simply Splendid, only Keith Shore had produced a second clear on Mystic Hurricane. “There was a tight turn to the penultimate vertical and several had tried and hit it so I took care here but as there was still a couple of fast ones behind me, I stuck to my plan,” said James, who claimed a 3.21 second advantage to win.
James has ridden the Ustinov x Cavalier 11-year-old Simply Splendid owned jointly with Graham Gillespie for the past two years. “He’s competitive and has been on good form this year. He likes to win and the more you dare him, the better he is; the more the pressure, the more he lights up,” he added.
The Marnic Groundworks Ladies and Gents Championship was all about the clock as six of the fifteen in the jump-off again posted clear rounds. James maxed on his final draw to secure the win by 1.96 seconds on the Quality x No Limit 11-year-old Elmo Brown.“I knew exactly what I had to do and the tight turn-backs suited him, not many had attempted the turn from one to two so we got that in early,” said James, who has ridden the former Keith Doyle ride for a year. “He rides beautifully and is very versatile, he can win a speed class and jump in a grand prix.”
Carmen Edwards outpaced his twenty-five rivals to land the Power and Speed on his father Carl and Ian Kellett’s Magic Chanti by 0.34 seconds. “It’s great to take a win close to home. The first half of the course for the Power section was strong enough and the second half was very quick but I had a plan and it came off,” said Carmen, who has produced the 8-year-old Magic Chanti for the past two years.
Tony Maguire was on form to take two of the top three places in the Senior Rider Summer Championship, winning with his wife Kate’s Lion Rock III by 0.52 seconds. “I should have won with my other ride but he’s so big he made up too much ground in the double and had it down,” said Tony, who was also third on the 9-year-old Lucas Van Den Vilenbos.
Tony bought the Camlough Red Or Dead 9-year-old Lion Rock from his breeder and Uncle Jimmy and his wife Annette Carnall. “Lion Rock has lived in Anglesey all his life and was mainly turned out on the marsh. He wasn’t broken in until he was a 6-year-old and hadn’t jumped a stick until I got him in April 2018. He’s named after some rather savage Anglesey rocks although he isn’t at all savage, more like an overgrown pony and so easy to do – this was only his second show since lockdown,” said Tony, who managed to fit in competing around his job of arena maintenance in both rings at the busy South View venue. “The days certainly went quickly as I leapt off the tractor onto a horse and then straight back into the tractor. Now we are back in Anglesey and taking the horses for a ride on the beach – Lion Rock isn’t going back on the marsh, he’s having a spa day hacking on the beach.”
Kath Cumming claimed the Minor Veteran Summer Championship with almost three seconds to spare with Auburn Elite. “I didn’t get chance to watch anyone, made my plan and stuck to it, picking my line inside from the penultimate fence inside to the last oxer,” said Kath, who is based near Chester in North Wales and is making a return to showjumping after a 20-year break raising her family. “I never thought I’d jump at British Showjumping affiliated level again but [trainer] Lee Williams has supported me and taken me from a cross pole up and given me lots of confidence.” The Uranium Du Houssoit x Flagmount King 9-year-old Auburn Elite was purchased from Ken Pritchard just broken three years ago. “She was my way back in to competition and she’s a saint although she can be sharp in the ring and I’m thoroughly enjoying the amateur and veterans classes with lots of support from fellow competitors,” added Kath, who is a bereavement officer at Maelor Hospital.
Vicky Burns set an unbeatable standard from second draw in the nine-horse jump-off to land the Graham Heath Construction 1.20m Championship on her father Paul Bevan’s Denzel II, winning by 1.64 seconds. “It was a good course with lots of turn options which suit him,” said Vicky, who is based In Lichfield, Staffordshire. The Cantos x Orame 12-year-old has been with Vicky for six years and won three classes on the trot in Lier before lockdown. “He’s come back like he’s never been away with five wins since July,” said Vicky, who had her chief trainer, 8-year-old daughter Katie by her side – “She told me I had to use all my corners in the first round and save him for the jump-off!”
Natasha Hamilton, 15, from Aberdeen, scored her first win on the Billy Mexico 11-year-old Okehurst Miss Mexico in the 1.15m Championship, utilising all the tight turn options to win with 1.76 seconds in hand in a five-strong jump-off. “We weren’t expecting a win but she was determined to win a rug and sash,” said Natasha’s mum Sarah. “We bought her two months ago and they’ve had time to get to know each other in lockdown and clicked very quickly.” Natasha is aiming for the Silver League series next year with ambitions of qualifying for Horse of the Year Show.
Elah Conway was another recording her first win with the 1.10m title on Utrillo Du Roumois, a C Indoctro II x Papillon Rouge 12-year-old bought from London 2012 team gold medal winner Peter Charles and his son Harry six months ago. “Utrillo’s honest and quick, knows his job and is always looking for the next fence,” said Elah, who edged ahead by 0.21 seconds in the 11-strong jump-off after following trainer Eleni Murphy’s advice – “We debated whether to take out a stride down a distance but decided to stay on eight strides to get the turn in afterwards.”
Elah, 16, is based in London and has just finished her GCSE’s and is returning to school for ‘A’ levels while the horses – Elah also won the under 18 on Acapella II – are based in Lancashire with Eleni and Robert Murphy – “I get to ride every weekend and in the holidays. The arrangement suits me as I am so busy at school.”
Amy Dobson clinched victory in the 1m championship by 2.60 seconds in the 11-horse decider with Venus CK II. “We were on two legs to the last but she is so safe I trust her completely, she has a heart of gold and tries so hard for me,” said Amy, who is based just 5 minutes from Somerford Park near Holmes Chapel in Cheshire. Amy bought the Verdi x Athlet Z 10-year-old unbroken seven years ago and the pair jumped up to Foxhunter level until Venus was found in the field injured.
“She had cut into her hock badly and although she was never lame, it got infected and she needed an operation and was off for 12 months,” explained Amy. “She came back fine but in 2019 she was injured again and at the same time I broke my shoulder falling off another horse. We were both out for the year and my vet Campbell Thompson recommended giving her an easier life when she returned.”
Amy now picks and chooses her shows with care. “She used to jump so big over fences – over-jump – so I’ve dropped her down to this level to keep her sound and happy. I always used to go for double clears, this year is the first time I’ve pushed her against the clock to fit in with the classes we’re doing now and she’s such a confidence-giver which I needed after my fall.”
Kimberley Stanworth was crowned the 1.05m champion with Bishopstons I Am The Man in a fast 15-horse jump-off, winning by 1.62 seconds. “I had my brave pants on and kicked down to the last on a hunting stride but as we went through the finish he spooked at one of the course-builders and I nearly fell off,” said Kimberley, who is the new Master of the Cheshire Hunt and trains with Keith Shore.
Kimberley had a career in showing before getting hooked on showjumping and bought the Peppermill x Jurius 7-year-old ‘Jaws’ – “He’s a real character, almost human and older than his 7 years, he’s been here before,” – from Charlotte Flack a year ago. Competing in the 1.05m final was a last-minute decision. “My partner has a polo yard and is busy at weekends and we have two boys but I’d gone so well in the qualifiers I got childcare and entered the night before,” said Kimberley, who had to rush back for two children’s parties – “I slept in a tepee that night, it was freezing and I still haven’t cleaned or emptied the lorry!”
Anya Brown raced to victory with more than three seconds to spare to take the Graham Heath Equestrian Novice Debut Championship on Susan and Graham Mantle’s Harlequin Gemini. “We are over the moon. She’s super-careful and extremely honest so when the tight turns came up in the jump-off I knew the course would suit her down to the ground,” said Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire based Anya. The Harlequin Du Carel x Ricardo Z 6-year-old was bought as a foal by the Mantles and joined Anya last October and the pair finished second in the British Novice Final at the National Championships a few weeks earlier. “It has been a pleasure to ride such a lovely and talented mare,” added Anya.
SCOPE FESTIVAL SENIOR RESULTS
SQUIBB GROUP 1.40m GRAND PRIX
1st James Smith & Simply Splendid – 0/0 – 36.95 seconds
2nd Keith Shore & Mystic Hurricane – 0/0 – 40.16 seconds
3rd Carmen Edwards & Happy Valerie – 0/4 – 38.08 seconds
4th Graham Babes & Glencoe – 0/4 – 38.27 seconds
5th Johnathan Dixon & Gino F – 0/4 – 38.88 seconds
MARNIC GROUNDWORKS LADIES & GENTS
1st James Smith & Elmo Brown – 0/0 – 40.86 seconds
2nd Johnathan Dixon & Fireball – 0/0 – 42.82 seconds
3rd James Smith & Simply Splendid – 0/0 – 43.40 seconds
4th Madison Jamison & Ultravox II – 0/0 – 40.05 seconds
5th Isabelle Watson & Gardentio – 0/0 – 54.53 seconds
POWER & SPEED
1st Carmen Edwards & Magic Chanti – 0 – 27.75 seconds
2nd Georgia Cabb & Uragan – 0 – 28.09 seconds
3rd Geoff Goodwin & Lord Castell – 0 – 28.33 seconds
4th Paul Sims & Oaken Gracie – 0 – 28.70 seconds
5th Chris Smith & Flaming De Pravia – 0 – 29.02 seconds
SENIOR RIDER SUMMER CHAMPIONSHIP
1st Tony Maguire & Lion Rock III – 0/0 – 42.64 seconds
2nd Jane Russell & Cisco VH Rubenshof – 0/0 – 43.16 seconds
3rd Tony Maguire & Lucas Van Den Vilenbos – 0/4 – 41.18 seconds
4th Christina Foley & Caruno II – 4 – 69.31 seconds
MINOR VETERAN SUMMER CHAMPIONSHIP
1st Kath Cumming & Auburn Elite – 0/0 – 27.37 seconds
2nd Jane Russell & Cisco VH Rubenshof – 0/0 – 3.25 seconds
3rd Stephen Wynne & Mighty Mouse I – 0/0 – 32.00 seconds
4th Kate Maguire & Bentley III – 0/0 – 34.24 seconds
5th Christine Guildford & Sliebcroob Victoria’s Dream – 0/0 – 37.59 seconds
GRAHAM HEATH CONSTRUCTION 1.20m CHAMPIONSHIP
1st Vicky Burns & Denzel II – 0/0 – 34.50 seconds
2nd Caroline Basnett & Baby Daniel – 0/0 – 36.14 seconds
3rd Victoria Edwards & Bella XIV – 0/0 – 37.19 seconds
4th Georgia Cabb & Gerania CSH – 0/0 – 39.66 seconds
5th Faye Sutton & Ninka A Van T Hof Ter Doorn – 0/4 – 34.62 seconds
1.15m CHAMPIONSHIP
1st Natasha Hamilton & Okehurst Miss Mexico – 0/0 – 37.78 seconds
2nd Sinead Cox & Cando 6 – 0/0 – 39.54 seconds
3rd Ellie Black & Elanka – 0/0 – 39.83 seconds
4th Jennifer Brookfield & Evalinde – 0/0 – 40.49 seconds
5th Billie Hall & Templepatrick Tango – 0/4 – 40.34 seconds
1.10m CHAMPIONSHIP
1st Elah Conway & Utrillo Du Roumois – 0/0 – 33.54 seconds
2nd Katharyn Thompson & Uzar De Ste Hermelle – 0/0 – 33.75 seconds
3rd Charley Hamilton & Innishannon Red Squirrel – 0/0 – 34.27 seconds
4th Sophie Pashley & Celena No 1 – 0/0 – 36.31 seconds
5th Emily Jade Booker & Ali Baba – 0/0 – 37.87 seconds
1.05m CHAMPIONSHIP
1st Kimberley Stanworth & Bishopstons I Am The Man – 0/0 36.73 seconds
2nd Kirsty Ann Forty & The Silver Touch – 0/0 – 38.85 seconds
3rd Belle Garrigan & Wannabe HH – 0/0 – 38.85 second
4th Kimberley Standworth & Galahad II – 0/0 – 43.10 seconds
5th Tillie Davies & Croft V C – 0/0 – 44.66 seconds
1m CHAMPIONSHIP
1st Amy Dobson & Venus CK II – 0/0 – 29/91 seconds
2nd Stephen Wynne & Ted III – 0/0 – 32.51 seconds
3rd Bena Slack & Artfull – 0/0 – 34.06 seconds
4th Kim Webster & Aaltinus – 0/0 – 35.19 seconds
5th Belle Garrigan & Jackpot V – 0/0 – 53.27 seconds
GRAHAM HEATH EQUESTRIAN NOVICE DEBUT CHAMPIONSHIP
1st Anya Brown & Harlequin Gemini – 0/0 – 31.94 seconds
2nd Amy Dobson & Legacy III – 0/0 – 35.01 seconds
3rd Benjamin Griffiths & Clonterm Heartbreaker – 0/0 – 40.49 seconds
4th Julie Finney & Spring Election – 0/0 – 45.18 seconds
5th Anya Brown & Lakkato II – 0/0 – 48.42 seconds
14kvaj7pl3106.jpg "Jonathan Egmore and Mollie Rose Smith are winners in the Equissage Pulse British Novice Second Rounds.")
1g50u2k8dpost.JPG "Lacey-Mae Russel seizes Victory in the STX-UK Pony British Novice Second Round at Felbridge Showground")
11dtw0hmsttk0.jpg "NAF Five Star Bronze and Silver League Qualifiers get underway at Speetley Equestrian Centre")
