Posted: 16th August 2019 | Back to news feed
Surrey Heath win the National Team Jumping Championship
The National Team Jumping Championship was the last competition in Arena 3 for the British Showjumping National Championships 2019. Horses and riders travelled from all around the UK to contest the final. The elated winners, who travelled two hours to get here, were the Surrey Heath team with team captain Nicholas Edwards and team manager Abigail Graves.
A total of five teams went into the jump off where one rider from each team goes in to represent their team. Team captain, Nicholas Edwards was the selected rider to go into the jump off and won on a time of 44.83 seconds. Nicholas said of the team “every team member has contributed to the win, everyone jumped at least a clear, we all put a lot of effort into it and it’s paid off”.
Nicholas’ teammates are Gemma Davies, Lisa Bray and Rachel Dorrell. Nicholas was not originally meant to compete with this team but when Sebastien Poirier was forced to pull out due to an injury he sustained, Nicholas stepped in at the last minute to help the team clinch the win. A true team player, Sebastien said he knew he “couldn’t do it justice and didn’t want to let the team down” but he played his part by jumping clear in the qualifier to help the team get into the final.
Rachel Dorrell described how it was “a well-built course that asked a few questions but nothing impossible. I had 4 faults in the first round which meant I had to up my game, I took a slightly different turn to some of the fences and it paid off because I went clear in the second round.”
Narrowly missing out on the title last year, the Surrey Heath team came back this year determined to be crowned the winners. They were on the phone to team manager, Abigail Graves, soon after the win and she was so pleased and says she “feels like a proud mum and wishes she was there”. Having managed the team for the last 2 years her excellent supervision and direction has paid off as the team achieved their dreams of winning the title.
The whole team chimed in to describe how “riding in a team is very different to doing it for yourself” because despite the added pressure there is a “really good atmosphere and fantastic camaraderie between all the teams”.
The National Teams consist of four competitors with each combination jumping at different heights, 90cm, 1.00m, 1.10m and 1.15m. The horses jumping at 90cm and a 1.00m must at the start of qualifying be registered at Grade C and those jumping 1.10m and 1.15m can be registered at any grade.
Ronnie Jones wins the Prestige Italia Big Star National 6 year old Championship Final
The Prestige Italia Big Star Championship was the ultimate test for the country’s best six year old horses who had to face two rounds at 1.30m in order to qualify for the jump off. After a beautiful round, it was Ronnie Jones on Interstar B who lifted the trophy.
“I didn’t even know that the class was three rounds! After jumping this class you know that you have a horse for the future, as it asks so much from them. I am so pleased for Interstar B’s owners, they deserve the win for all the support they have given me”. Ruth Dowie bought Interstar B as a green five year old from a field, and since then Ronnie has carefully produced a superstar for the future.
The partnership have been on form lately after winning the Royal International 6 Year Old Championship at Longines Royal International Horse Show, as well as taking the title in the 6 year old class at Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Carron Nicol and Vistogrand take second place, with Daniel Moseley and SFS Damascus in third.
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A New British Showjumping National Champion Crowned
After an incredible array of talent over the six days of the British Showjumping National Championships, it came down to the nail-biting final leg of the HOYS International Wild Card Series which incorporated the British Showjumping Business Partnership International Stairway Final. With four Horse of the Year Show Wild Cards on offer, including the 2019 British Showjumping National Champion title, there was all to play for.
There were fourteen riders through to the jump off in the up to height course, which proved challenging for each combination causing multiple contenders to pick up faults chasing the clock. The eventual winner of the class and taking the highly coveted 2019 British Showjumping National Champion title, was Harriet Nuttall and A Touch Imperious.
Harriet was completely overwhelmed by her win here today and commented: “It feels fantastic to be crowned the British Showjumping National Champion; it’s even more special to be taking the title on A Touch Imperious. He deserves every title he gets.”
The combination finished with a quick time of 46.24 seconds: “It was a quick jump off, and I didn’t think I could beat Mark Edwards. I made up the time by going eight strides down to the last upright, as opposed to going the nine strides like Mark did. This is also the first time we have been the National Champion and Henry otherwise known as A Touch Imperious really does deserve it.”
The winner of the National Championship Show League, which has run across the show from Friday to Sunday was the National 1.40m Champion Mark Edwards. The International Stairway League winner for the third year running was Helen Tredwell who was riding Larksong. The winner of the Under 25 HOYS Wild Card was Georgia Tame. All four recipients of the HOYS Wild Cards have now secured their place in the International competitions at Horse of the Year Show, 2nd – 6 October 2019.
Lauren Edwards on top form to take the National 1.30m Open Championship Final
Feeling on top form after winning at the British Showjumping National Championships, Lauren Edwards flew to victory with Andrew Doswell’s 10-year-old Ella Sandra G. Lauren was first to go in the National 1.30m Championship jump off – however used the draw to her advantage: “I prefer to go first with her because I can do my own thing and am not tempted to take a risk,” she said. “I just did what I wanted to do, and was sensible, and jumped clear.”
None of the other eight jump-off contenders could catch Lauren, and only three of the sixty four starters jumped double clear.
“I’m quite confident in her as she’s naturally fast,” Lauren said. “The turns suited her and I knew I could trust her on the long gallop to the last.”
Liberty Bramwell and Balibu take second place, with Kimberly White and Hippo B taking third.
Derek Morton and ZLATAN Z wins the National 5 year old Championship Final
Kicking proceedings off in the JS Teamwear Championship Arena 2, it was the turn of the five year olds to take to the arena. With 24 horse/rider combinations forward it was a wonderful display of up and coming talent from the young horses. The National 5 year old Championship is open to registered horses born in 2014 and the height of the fences start at 1.20m.
Ridden by Derek Morton, and owned by Brian Squire, the dapper dapple-grey ZLATAN Z flew through the technical course designed by Krissy Spiller to claim the title of National 5 year old Champion. The winning combination shaved less than a second off the next best time to steal the lead from the 11 clears who went through to the jump off. Competing in multiple classes today on different horses, it’s been a busy day for Derek but he was thrilled to start the day by being crowned the National 5 year old Champion along with his trusty stallion ZLATAN Z.
Derek explained: “I am very pleased to have won the championship after him [ZLATAN Z] knocking on the door all year. He was on fire today and on top form.”
The pair also won the Weston Lawn 5 Year Old Championship Qualifier last week.
William Fletcher Crowned the 2019 National Under 21 Champion
In the JS Teamwear Championship Arena 2, William Fletcher rode as determined as ever to take the highly-sought after National Under 21 Champion title. With his brother Oliver Fletcher having won the National Under 21 Champion title here last year riding Temple Rebus, the sibling rivalry put pressure on the 20 year old showjumper to bring it home once again for team Fletcher.
Riding Emmerton II, owned by Judy Peploe, William was one of few riders in the jump off and as the last one to go, they saved the best until last. William went into the jump off knowing Joe Fernyhough had already secured a good time so he knew he needed a fast yet clear round. He commented after his win: “He’s not usually a quick horse, he’s more of a big jumper, but this is the first time I’ve let the handbrake off, and it was worth it!”.
William also won the U21 Championship in 2017, meaning that the title has been kept in the Fletcher family for three years.
The winning combination will be heading to Bolesworth next week where they hope to have the same success.
Joe Fernyhough and Jappeloupe van het Neerenbosch take second place, with Izzi Ryder and In The Mood VHK taking third.
Nina Emery and Colien crowned the National Senior Rider Champion
Colien, Nina Emery’s chestnut mare, stormed the course in the second Championship final taking place in the JS Teamwear Arena 2 today, winning the National Senior Rider Championship title. Nina who owns and rides 12-year-old Colien was thrilled with the pair’s new title as they had come specifically for this class. Nina explained “once you’re in a rhythm you just keep going” and Colien, who is also affectionately known as Coco, “is such a lovely horse. She’s kind and careful, and she looks after me.”
Despite having only been a combination for one year, the duo have been very busy, placing first in the British Showjumping Spring Championships Winter Silver League Direct Qualifier as well as the Senior 1.20m Opens at the Weston Lawns Equitation Show.
Placing second with a time of 38.40 seconds were Brian Thompson and Aredis de la Rose, while third place went to Clea Phillipps riding Way Okay.
Emma Jo Slater wins the Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Championship
On the final day of competition here at the British Showjumping National Championships 2019, the Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Championship was the first class of the day in Championship Arena 1. Taking the title for 2019 was Emma Jo Slater and Kimba Castello. The combination are on winning form after taking the Senior British Novice Championship Final here yesterday. Twenty eight riders went through to the jump off round, where Emma Jo set an unbeatable time of 35.87 seconds, being over three seconds faster than second placed combination Rachael Connor and Juvenosa. “He’s a careful horse, that just keeps getting quicker and quicker, he’s a 16.3hh horse in a 12.2hh pony’s body!!,” explained owner Kim Barzilay.
“It feels fantastic to be a double champion on the same horse; he scuttles along and feels so powerful from behind”. Emma Jo Slater was also a double champion of the same classes two years ago.
After being a double champion at the National Championships 2019, the combination will be heading off to the Scope Festival next week where they hope to have the same success. Following that they will be aiming to jump Blue Chip qualifiers throughout the winter season.
Rachael Connor and Juvenosa take second place, with Tony Pearson and Seapatrick Cardento taking third.
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Oliver Fletcher takes the National Under 16 Champion title
Oliver Fletcher ensured that the family tradition of winning at the British Showjumping National Championships was upheld and is now the reigning champion. He took the title last year aboard his father’s 11 year old chestnut mare, Dahar. This year he takes the win on Julia Hammond’s, Horst Van de Mispelaere. It was a well-deserved win for the young rider after completing the jump off in a quick time of 31.22 seconds to take the 2019 National Under 16 Champion title.
“He’s a very quick and careful horse; if you gallop to a jump she will jump it. I am very grateful to his owner Julia Hammond for letting me have the ride on him,” beamed Oliver. Oliver has only been riding Horst Van de Mispelaere since the beginning of the year and in that time has had a lot of success such as winning the Accumulator at Royal Bath & West Show earlier this season.
The combination will also be jumping U21’s this afternoon followed by Oliver competing in the International Stairway class this afternoon riding Temple Rebus, where he hopes to have the same success.
Phoebe Farman and Caruso D’Eres Z take second place, with Jocasta Symons and Duffy II taking third.
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