Tabitha Kyle lands two Grand Prix titles at the FEI CSIO Youth Finals
Monday 18 September 2023
.jpg "Tabitha Kyle lands two Grand Prix titles at the FEI CSIO Youth Finals")
Tabitha Kyle hit top form at the FEI CSIO Youth Finals held at Sentower Park in Belgium, with six wins to her credit, including two Grand Prix titles.
Tabitha’s biggest win came in the Junior Grand Prix with TJ Hall Ltd’s Desterly, the pair commanding victory in fine style.
A total of 64 riders tackled course-designer Rafael Suarez’s challenging 12-fence 1.40m track in the Ashford Farm Arena but only eight provided initial clears to qualify for the jump-off. One partnership withdrew at this point to leave seven to battle against the clock over a raised and shortened course. Such was the high standard, all seven jumped clear again – it was all about the clock.
That didn’t deter Tabitha. This talented 16-year-old thrives under pressure in a tense jump-off and the 15-year-old Tolan R x Murano mare Desterly matched her determination and winning mood with every stride.
“It wasn’t too big but very technical and the jump-off was difficult as I was drawn first so didn’t know what the others were going to do but she jumped very well. It was the perfect jump-off for her as she is so good at turning [up to fences],” said Tabitha. “She has plenty of character and although she can be a mare sometimes, she’s very well behaved.”
They sped through the finish with 1.37 seconds to spare. Belgium’s Nikita Van De Meerschen on Impressario VD Heffinck had to settle for second place with Ireland’s James Brennan with MHS I’m The One in third.
Tabitha claimed two of the top three places in the Pony 1.25m Grand Prix, racing straight to the top on the super-speedy Atomic Du Bary.
Thirty-two faced the 12-fence track set but only six came up with all the answers to qualify for the jump-off, the on-form Tabitha claiming two of the rides, both owned by TJ Hall Ltd. She was quickest on the 14-year-old Gangnam Style, but four faults dropped the pair down to third. No mistake was made on the 13-year-old Atomic, the partnership flying into the top spot by 0.65 seconds. Ireland’s Senan Reape separated Tabitha’s two with the only other double clear on Catness 8 for second place.
“I couldn’t ask for more, I’m very happy,” said Tabitha.
Tabitha maintained her winning ways with victory in the 1* big tour 1.25m on Indiana D’Ayrifagne. Eighty-four riders participated in this speed class with Tabitha and the Orlando 9-year-old racing ahead to win by 0.26 seconds. Jennifer Billington made it a British top two, easing Saulire Z into second spot.
“It was her first major show since May and she was straight back into form with a win and two seconds,” said Tabitha, who popped the mare around a 1.20m at Vale View before embarking on their Belgian trip.
The results were reversed in the 1* 1.30m Grand Prix as Jennifer led the way on Saulire Z. Twelve of the 42 starters reached the jump-off with Jennifer and the 6-year-old Saulire beating Tabitha and Indiana by 2.32 seconds.
Tabitha had started the week how she intended to proceed with a victory double, taking the top two places in the Pony 1.20m single-phase on Atomic Du Bary and Gangnam Style and heading the Pony 1.05m with almost eight seconds to spare on the Flipper D’Elle 11-year-old Merlijn VD Bisschop.
A consistent Jennifer posted a double clear to take equal second in the Under 21 Grand Prix on Flipper Darco UK Z. The 43 starters faced with a 13-fence 1.45m course were reduced to 10 for the jump-off. Jennifer and the Flipper D’Elle x Darco 12-year-old posted another clean round to share the runner-up spot with France’s Mathis Vallat on Eliot Majuscule, both finishing 0.64 seconds behind the winner, Switzerland’s Gilles Muller on Giavanna CB. Ava Vernon was also double clear to take fourth on Volnay De Choc Z.
“Jennifer put in clear rounds every day with just one time fault in the last round of the Nations Cup,” said Clare.
Lauren Caroline claimed third in the Under 25 grand prix on Elmira Mail. Sixty-six came forward over a 1.40m track and just eight posted the required clear to access the jump-off, Lauren and the 9-year-old Utrillo Z mare again returning a clean sheet to finish 1.52 seconds off the winning time. Noora chased hard on Interstar B but four faults dropped them from a possible second to fourth.
“Lauren jumped a superb double clear on the horse she is hoping will become her Under 21 ride next year,” said Clare Whitaker.
Britain finished third of seven teams in the pony Nations Cup final over a 1.30m track. The team carried eight faults from the first round with only Madison Seedhouse supplying a clear round on Vaughann De Vuzit. They were determined to up their game.
Pathfinder Izabella Rogers on Neil 55 and second out Georgia Cooper-Hall aboard Saxton Freedam gave the team a great boost by supplying clears. But four faults from debutante Katie Bradburne’s Ardough Boy and anchor Madison with Vaughann put the team on a total of 12 faults and into bronze. Ireland reigned with gold on four faults and The Netherlands finished second with a 10-fault total.
“We were a little unlucky in both rounds with silly four faults adding up but I was pleased with them, Katie was very good on her first trip away,” said Chef d’Équipe Clare Whitaker.
Brits claimed the top two places in the Under 25 1.35m accumulator with Noora von Bülow outpacing her rivals to win on Lucky Lisa. Thirty-four competitors came forward in this class with Noora easing ahead by only 0.24 seconds on the Heartbeat x Lux Z 13-year-old mare. Phoebe Farman jumped the 13-year-old Diarado daughter Diara Sue into second place.
Noora also scored victory in the Under 25 1.35m with Interstar B. A total of 89 riders came forward in this speed class but Noora took charge, flying into the top spot on the I’m Special De Muze x Ahorn VDL 10-year-old with 0.56 seconds to spare.
Izabella Rogers claimed several wins over the week. The 10-year-old Queen Star – later fourth in the Pony 1.30m Grand Prix – came to the fore in the pony big tour 1.25m two-phase to win by 2.18 seconds while the 15-year-old Uncanny scored a double in the 1.15m two-phase and 1.15m accumulator.
Ruby Payne topped the 26-strong pony 1.10m two-phase on the 18-year-old Calimero, pushing Tabitha and Merlijn into second by 1.19 seconds.
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