News
Posted on August 28th, 2014
Absolute Horse Columnist Michaela Huntington wins the Equilibrium Products Discovery Championship
29 year-old Michaela Huntington from Braintree, Essex with John Meadows and Kathy Lankshear’s 6 year-old chestnut mare Alegro Z triumphantly took the Equilibrium Products Discovery Championship held at the Alexanders Horseboxes British Showjumping Scope Festival on Sunday 24th August. Michaela and Alegro Z were victorious after posting a fast double clear in 27.28 seconds.
“We only travelled up for the day, but the three and a half hour journey was worth it, I’ll fly home on cloud nine,” said Michaela, who has ridden the six-year-old, a 2014 Hickstead novice finalist, since November.
Posted on August 26th, 2014
A Double for Melissa at Senior Amateur Championships
Essex rider Melissa Eagles made it a double at the recent Wales & West Senior Amateur Championships on Friday 8th to Sunday 10th August when finishing equal first in the 1.00cms class on board Knockrath Spring and as the outright winner of the 70cms class with Tara III.
Equalling Melissa in the 1.00m was Laura Davies from Rhondda with Bolgoednewydd Toy Faere while Essex was once again represented by Toni Evans and Hermione V who finished third.
The largest class, with 25 double clears, was the 90cms; the best of these was Surrey’s Sam Holmes with Sea Breeze. In second place was Lauren Hopes (Berkshire) and Rox Are The Business with Scarlett Baker from Essex and Matanique in third.
The Championships are normally held over two rounds but the final day’s classes were cancelled due to torrential rain and organisers took the decision to allow results from Heat 1 to stand as the Championships final.
Posted on August 26th, 2014
Suffolk’s Retrained Racehorse Nettis wins Regional Recognition Award
Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) and British Showjumping are pleased to announce that retrained racehorse, Nettis an 6 year-old chestnut gelding owned and ridden by 33 year-old Charlotte Kerton from Newmarket, Suffolk is a winner of the 2014 British Showjumping Retraining of Racehorses Regional Recognition Award.
Racegoers saw Nettis make nine starts during his time on the track and Charlotte first rode him back when he was race training as a 2 year-old.
Nettis’ last race was in September 2011 and since being out of race training, Charlotte has focused on improving both his flatwork and showjumping with help from UKCC Coach Mia Korenika. Charlotte has also been using the NAF Horse Five Star Performance Awards Programme to support his development. Charlotte was delighted to hear that Nettis has won an award “I’m so pleased for Nettis, he is a fantastic and genuine horse who enjoys his showjumping and the Club competitions have been an excellent introduction into the sport for him.
“I have lessons with Mia on a weekly basis and she was the one who suggested that Nettis and I should try Club competitions – we haven’t looked back since! Nettis is a great all-rounder, but I am going to continue showjumping with him as he has the capability and scope to jump bigger and more technical tracks. We’re aiming to compete in National classes next season and I’m excited to see what the future holds for us both.”
These awards provide a focus for ex-racehorses that are showjumping at Club level. A product sponsorship is awarded to the highest placed horse in each region with Club League points and a winner from each region is identified by selecting the highest placed eligible horse with points in the 1.00m section. If none qualify, it will move to the highest placed eligible horse in the 0.90cm section, working downwards until a horse is identified. Each regional award winner will receive an embroidered jacket and rug.
British Showjumping Club Membership costs just £30 per year and it was launched back in 2011 to give competitors the chance to compete between 0.70cm – 1.00m. Competitions are run over 0.70cm, 0.80cm, 0.90cm and 1.00m courses and entries fees are capped at just £10.
Posted on August 19th, 2014
Rescue Pony From Essex Has Been Declared Supreme Champion at Large Hertfordshire Show
Redwings Noel, a grey Welsh X Arab, and his rider Guardian Hayley Ward recently took part in the 70th anniversary Kimpton Horse Show on 27th July. The title was the most recent in a string of successes since Noel was rehomed by Redwings Ada Cole in 2003. Noel’s placement with Hayley is part of the Redwings’ Guardian scheme which sees suitable horses and ponies rehomed but remaining in the charity’s ownership and responsibility.
Noel’s show success is remarkable as his start in life was very troubled. He was rescued by Ada Cole Memorial Stables (as it was known before merging with Redwings in 2005) in 1998 as a two-year-old, along with his companion Mistletoe. Both horses were found abandoned and in very poor condition having been left to fend for themselves while their owner was in prison. When signed over into the care of the Sanctuary, it was decided that Noel would be happiest as part of a loving, active family.
Hayley became Noel’s Guardian when he was five years old and soon they were jumping and competing together, with their first success at a show Ada Cole Memorial Stables then ran. It was the start of a succession of competition wins.
“Noel, now 17-years-old, is a true champion both in his competition success and in his relationship with his Guardian,” explains Redwings Operation Manager Rachel Angell. “Hayley represents the perfect Guardian and all that the Redwings Guardianship scheme stands for – providing neglected and mistreated equines with a safe and happy home for life, where they are loved and given a second chance”.
“Noel is one in a million,” adds Hayley. “I can’t describe the pleasure I have in giving a home to this cheeky little lad. We know each other inside out and have an unbreakable bond. To win the Supreme at the Kimpton Horse Show was incredible. I would like to give a huge thank you to Redwings Ada Cole for giving me the opportunity to take on such a smashing pony – especially one they worked so hard to save and care for. The work they do is truly amazing”.
Posted on August 14th, 2014
Cambridgeshire’s Young Showjumper Annabelle Molyneux wins the Horse 1.00m Southern Club Championships
16 year-old Annabelle Molyneux from Ely, Cambridgeshire on board her mother Anne’s 11 year-old bay gelding Wammes R took the victory in the Horse 1.00m Club Championship which was held as part of the Southern Club Championships at The College Equestrian Centre, Keysoe in Bedfordshire and took place last weekend 9th-10th August.
Four eligible combinations came forward to contest this final, Annabelle and Wammes R, put in two foot perfect rounds and stopped the clock in 36.92 seconds to ensure the victory was theirs.
Posted on August 14th, 2014
Hertfordshire’s Young Showjumper Caitlin Saykal wins the Southern Club 80cm Horse Championship
Caitlin Saykal aged 14 from Bayfordbury, Hertfordshire took the win in the Horse 0.80cm Championship with her father Hasan’s skewbald gelding Mr Tomnus. at the Southern Club Championships which washeld at The College Equestrian Centre, Keysoe in Bedfordshire and took place 9th – 10th August.
Eight combinations came forward to compete in this final and Caitlin and Mr Tomnus, put in a super quick clear in a time of 24.42 to ensure that the victory was theirs.
Posted on August 14th, 2014
Cambridgeshire’s Young Showjumper Celine Norgate wins the Pony 80cm Southern Club Championships.
16 year-old Celine Norgate from Wisbech, Cambridgeshire on board her mother Deborah’s 10 year-old grey gelding Lightning Bolt took the victory in the 80cm pony club championship which was held as part of the Southern Club Championships at The College Equestrian Centre, Keysoe in Bedfordshire and took place 9th– 10th August 2014.
Seven eligible combinations came forward and the combination of Celine and Lightning Bolt jumped a super quick clear in a time of 29.86 to ensure the victory was theirs.
Posted on August 14th, 2014
Hertfordshire Showjumper Ben Maher Selected for the GB Jumping Team for World Equestrian Games
British Showjumping has announce that Ben Maher MBE from Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire has been selected for the GB Jumping squad for the FEI Alltech World Equestrian Games 2014 which will be held in Normandy, France. Ben picked up back to back gold medals from the London 2012 Olympic games and the 2013 European Championships in Herning, Denmark.
Posted on August 14th, 2014
Hertfordshire’s Young Showjumper Millie Dickinson Wins the July NAF Shining Star Award
The NAF Shining Star for July 2014 has been awarded to young showjumper Millie Dickinson, aged 15 from Harpenden, Hertfordshire. Millie is a dedicated and popular member of the British Showjumping Central Junior Academy and she was put forward for the NAF Shining Star by Lead Coach, Mandy McGlynn.
Mandy had the following to say about her nominee “Millie has been a member of the academy for a number of years now and she is a regular attendee at camps, team competitions and training sessions. This year, Millie has really been concentrating on her showjumping and as a result, has qualified for numerous classes at the upcoming Scope Festival, including the Pony Discovery Championship, Pony Newcomers Masters and the Pony Restricted Rider 1.00m Championship.
“As an academy member, Millie is appreciative of any help and guidance that receives and she is also always willing to help others out too. Her ponies always look happy and are as well presented as she is.”
Millie has been a member of British Showjumping since February 2010 and during that time, she has gained her 1*, 2*, 3* and 4* of the NAF Pony Five Star Performance Awards Programme and she is currently working towards her 5*.
Upon hearing that she had won this NAF Shining Star Award, a delighted Millie said “I am extremely happy and proud to have won this award and I really want to thank Mandy for not only nominating me, but also for helping me during my time in the academy. I joined the academy for the training sessions available and I also wanted to make new friends. I also want to thank Mia Korenika for her useful training sessions.”
Posted on August 11th, 2014
Statement Regarding Cuddy Supreme In-Hand Qualifiers
Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) wishes to announce that following an investigation into the outcome of the Cuddy Supreme In-Hand Championship qualifier at Kent County Show, and despite the rumours on social media regarding the qualification at Kent County Show, the existing qualification of Lemonshill Falcon through to the Championship at HOYS will stand.
The HOYS organisers are not wholly satisfied that the spirit of the Cuddy Supreme In-Hand was correctly administered and this incident has brought to light some anomalies on how competitors and exhibits qualify for this prestigious Championship. Following this, Grandstand Media Ltd, HOYS’ organiser, will be reviewing and redefining the rules around the Cuddy Supreme In-Hand Championship in order to maintain its integrity for the future.
Information on the Cuddy Supreme In-Hand Championship and its qualifiers for the 2015 season will be released later on this year.
