Toby Clapham takes a commanding win in the Equissage Pulse Senior British Novice Second Round at Allens Hill
Monday 22 May 2023
.jpg "Toby Clapham takes a commanding win in the Equissage Pulse Senior British Novice Second Round at Allens Hill")
Toby Clapham convincingly outpaced his rivals to take victory in the Equissage Pulse Senor British Novice Second Round at Allens Hill, Worcestershire, with Annabel Clapham’s Shanaclough Phantom.
Thirty-eight riders initially contended this qualifying class for the Final at the British Showjumping National Championships, Stoneleigh, with 30 supplying first round clears to access round two and 18 came through to the final jump-off.
Toby found the quickest route on the Simba x Clover Clon VII six-year-old to win with a handsome 4.26 seconds clear of his nearest rival. Alex Harris finished second on Champions Firecracker with Emma Slater aboard Hullabalou’s Darco in third.
Toby, 16, from Malmesbury, Wiltshire, suffers with autism and anxiety issues but loves his showjumping, was delighted with this unexpected win.
“We only bought Phantom mid-February and the first show wasn’t until April, but we managed to get four double clears in a month to qualify for the second rounds and thought we’d give it a shot. We went for experience and Toby was supposed to jump a steady clear, but Phantom has such a big stride they were deceptively quick,” said Toby’s mother Annabel, who swapped a 148cm pony for the rangy 17hh Phantom.
“We saw him over the stable door and thought he was way too big and not our usual type, he looked like a giant, but Toby liked him, and he’s turned out to be straight forward and nice person.”
Toby struggled last year but help was at hand in the form of racehorse trainer Andrew Balding, who suggested Toby ride out the racehorses. Now, tall and slim Toby rides the 2 and 3-year-old flat horses three days a week and attends school for two days.
“It has worked out well, the Baldiings have been amazing, and Toby is hoping for a possible apprenticeship,” added Annabel.
Allens Hill – Sunday, 21 May 2023
Equissage Pulse Senior British Novice Second Round
1st - Toby Clapham & Shanaclough Phantom – 0/0/0 - 38.12 seconds
2nd - Alex Harris & Champions Firecracker – 0/0/0 - 42.38 seconds
3rd - Emma Slater & Hullabalou’s Darco – 0/0/0 - 44.93 seconds
NB: Results pending official grading.
Image: Top Shots Photography
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