Smith Takes the Win at Penultimate U23 Qualifier
Thursday 31 October 2013
Showjumper James Smith, who’s based near Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland, won the penultimate qualifying event on Sunday 27 October for the Dodson & Horrell and the World Class Programme U23 British Championship Final, which will take place at the London International Horse Show, Olympia on Friday 20 December 2013.
Morris Equestrian Centre in Scotland, played host to the field of seventeen riders (aged 23 or under) who faced a challenging technical course, that resulted in only 6 clears recorded.
Five riders went through to contest the jump-off; James, riding Cumina owned by Leona Smith, took the win despite losing his reins after the second to last fence, finishing nearly a second ahead of Lucy Guild (Titi D’Oase) – the same combination that won last week’s U23 Qualifier at Aintree. James and Lucy produced the only double clears of the day, and showed some lovely riding and technical skill during the class.
Jessica Hewitt (Zaronda II) finished third having impressed with a clear round after notching up an unfortunate four faults earlier in the competition. Kimberly White (Catapult) finished in fourth place, Ria Ginley (Amelie III) was fifth and Aimee Bell (Cameron Poe) was sixth.
There was a total prize fund of £1650 for the qualifier, and Training Vouchers to the value of £725.00 awarded to the first six prize-winning riders currently eligible for British team selection.
The Championships are supported by feed merchant Dodson & Horrell and by the World Class Development Programme. The Development Programme is funded by Lottery and Exchequer funds via UK Sport; the Programme seeks to identify and develop talented athletes who have shown the potential to reach the world stage.
Dodson & Horrell has a long history of support in equestrian sports across all levels, from its sponsorship of Riding Club and Pony Club events, the British Showjumping National Amateur & Veteran Championships, over 25 years of support for Point-to-Point racing to title sponsorship of the iconic Chatsworth International Horse Trials. As Royal Warrant holder and official supplier of nutrition to Equestrian Team GBR, Dodson & Horrell will play a pivotal advisory role in the lead up to next year’s WEG, Normandy and the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The final qualifying competition for the 2013 series takes place at Addington Equestrian Centre, Buckingham (13-16 November).
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