With thirty-one starters, the Pony Bronze League 138cm & Under Final was a thriller of a class at the British Showjumping National Championships 2019. The jump off course proved a challenge, comprising of a double of verticals and oxer which dashed many Championship dreams, only a few combinations managed to go double clear.
Nine-year-old Nellie Lock and Ellie’s Miss Chief took the title with an extremely quick time of 34.91 seconds. The partnership have only been together for four months and within that time have gone from strength to strength. Their career together kick started by winning the 10 Year & Under Team Qualifier at Wales & West last month, and have excelled from then on to become a National Champion.
“Chief has a lovely temperament and isn’t hard to control, so I told myself to just go for it,” beamed Nellie. “I’ve been training really hard with my instructor Sandra Dean, aiming for this class so all our hard work has paid off!”
Being a member of the Pony Club, Nellie was also awarded the sash for best placed Pony Club member, making it a brilliant finish for the young rider who is based in Brentwood. “She’s a lot of fun and I have five years left in 138’s so would love to aim for the 138cm HOYS Final one day,” she grinned. With such early success for the new partnership, there is no doubt they will have an extremely successful five years.
Sienna Palin and Calusa take second place, with Cameron Cobb and Williams Dream Boy taking third.
Photo: 1st Class Images
