Posted: 1st October 2014 | Back to news feed
Working sheep farmer, Sam Evans and her 14-year-old Toptimist Utopia secured a convincing win in the EquestrianClearance.com BRC BE80(T) Championships at Brooksby Melton College Horse Trials.
Based at Warnford in Hampshire, Sam and the 16.1hh, bay gelding, won Section F and have had a rollercoaster of a few years together with Sam working hard to cement a solid relationship and foundation with the dressage bred Tip-Top.
“We have been together five-and-a-half years but it has been far from plain sailing,” said Sam.
“He is bred for dressage, his sire is Krack C who is an Olympic gold medallist and he was originally bought as a potential top class dressage horse but his temperament couldn’t cope with the pressure.
“I was introduced to him by friends and feel really fortunate that despite his issues we have learned so much together.
“Our aim was to initially go show jumping but he just couldn’t deal with the pressure and would stop, run out or spin round.
“I was about to give up on him when I found a new instructor in Alison Smith who took us right back to basics and for six months we just concentrated on flatwork.
“After a while Alison started suggesting we have a go at a BE80(T) competition but I took a lot of persuading.
“We started with major problems at any water complex but thanks to patience and a lot of water schooling he now loves and some of our best results have been in the pouring rain and mud.”
A member of Meon Riding Club, Sam’s season started off with a win at Bovington qualifying them for the EquestrianClearance.com sponsored championship.
Added Sam: “We are now competing at BE90 level and our aim is the Badminton Grass Roots championship which would be just amazing.
“I would encourage anyone to have a go starting with BE80(T), it is a brilliant way to join the competition scene and has done so much for me and Tip-Top.
“He has gone from a worried dressage horse to one who now chills out in a field of sheep in the week and then goes eventing at the weekend – what a star he really is.”
Michelle Harris and the palomino, Yella Fella took the honours in Section G of the EquestrianClearance.com supported championship.
Having decided to have a go at eventing before she reached the big 50, Michelle has now been competing for two years and couldn’t praise the series highly enough.
Michelle and the eight-year-old gelding were in great form completing on their dressage score of 23.
Michelle is a regular competitor in the world of dressage having won the Elementary Freestyle National Title in 2010.
Based at Belton in North Lincolnshire, Michelle said: “I bought him as an awkward three-year-old five years ago but after working together I realised he was the ideal partner to try my hand at eventing.
“He is such a star and really tries so hard and gives me a lot of confidence on the cross-country and has matured into a fantastic horse.”
A member of the East Midlands Dressage Group, Michelle has been delighted with the support offered at the BE80(T) competitions throughout the year.
“It is great arriving at an event knowing there are qualified British Eventing trainers on hand to help throughout the competition.
“The organisation is very professional and friendly and competing in British Eventing competitions is just a breath of fresh air.”
Michelle’s success saw her travelling home with a host of prizes including a trophy, sash, British Eventing training vouchers and EquestrianClearance.com vouchers to spend online with the leading retailer.
The 36-strong section provided some keen competition with the scores very close amongst the top four places.
Sam Evans and Michelle Harris receiving their prizes from Lorraine Meadowcroft of EquestrianClearance.com
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