Posted: 17th December 2015 | Back to news feed
Great British rider Robert Bevis’ double clear round saw him take the spoils at the Hartpury Showjumping Spectacular over the weekend.
The former European Pony Championship double gold medallist’s second clear of the day was enough to take home the winner’s cheque in the weekend’s main event – the Baileys Horse Feeds Big Tour Grand Prix. Riding Courtney 6, Bevis’ time of just under 40 seconds was enough to easily claim top spot as only five went double clear in the jump off.
Last year’s Big Tour winner, Matthew Sampson, was unlucky not to pick up a winners’ medal for the second year in a row as he finished second in the Superflex Small Tour behind Emily Ward - only a tenth of a second separated the pair as they both went double clear. The pair, riding Witch and Cudansa M respectively, finished just ahead of Daniel McGlynn and Ghana lii.
Hartpury’s own student riders also showed their promise over the three-day event as current equine academy prospects, Kieran Masters and Katinka Brogaard, finished fourth and sixth respectively – just ahead of former student Giorgia Distefano in the Spectacular’s opening class, the 1.20m Open.
A-level student Brogaard, 16, also placed twice in the Halsall Electrical 1.25m Winter Championship Qualifier before picking up a fourth place finish in the Amateur B Tour Grand Prix riding Entertainer IV.
Eighteen-year-old Ella Slowly, a BTEC Horse Management student, also did well to claim two top 10 finishes in the Southwick Farm Amateur B Tour First Leg and the Amateur Tour Warm-up. Victoria Moore, another academy rider, finished sixth in the Amateur A Tour Grand Prix to complete a good weekend for Hartpury-based riders.
Event Director, Phillip Cheetham, said: “Yet again, we were treated to a weekend of high quality competition with many riders looking ahead to Olympia. The courses were really well designed and brought the best out of the riders to give spectators three days of first-class jumping.
“It was great to see so many young riders, several with Hartpury connections, doing so well in a number of classes. Thank you as always to everyone who helped make the event a success from the officials and Hartpury staff to the large group of Hartpury students who formed the arena party – as well as to the spectators who provided an excellent atmosphere throughout the competition.”
With 15 classes across the three days, there was plenty of top-class riding to be seen. Jay Halim claimed the opening win of the weekend riding Westpoint Carouselle in the 1.20m Open. There were also wins for Rachel Horton, Leonne George, and Goncalo Azevedo E Silva.
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