British Showjumping National Championships, Day 1 Round-Up

Here’s a quick round-up of the first day’s action at the 2018 British Showjumping National Championships.

2018 Pony Restricted Rider 1.00m Champion

Honor Redhouse takes the spoils in the Pony Restricted Rider 1.00m Championship

The British Showjumping National Championships 2018 got underway yesterday at NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire.

Taking the first win of the Show in Championship Arena 1 was Honor Redhouse aboard her beautiful 11 year old grey mare, Zara Queen of Hearts, who was crowned the 2018 Pony Restricted Rider 1.00m Champion.

The pair who travelled to the Show all the way from Kent proved to be unbeatable in the jump-off of 19 pony/rider combinations, built by lead course designer Jason Abbs. Whilst other riders struggled to get the time without knocking a fence, Honor and Zara left no room for error as they sped down to the final fence.

Speaking of their win, Honor explained:

We have had her since August last year and have had a really busy season together. This is probably one of my biggest wins so far as well as winning the 1.10m Schools final with her at Hickstead last week. My plan is to keep going with her and I hope to jump on the Home Pony International 1.15m team this year.”

National Pony 1.15m Members Cup Final

A rocking round for Jessica Howard and Rocky Robin I 

Taking the spoils in the National Pony 1.15m Members Cup Final was Jessica Howard with Rocky Robin I. The 11 year old grey gelding was one of 16 clears out of 53 starters. Jessica was first to go in the jump off and set a blistering fast round in 42.67 seconds.

Speaking of her win she commented:

My plan was to go fast to put pressure on the others and force them to get a fault” – it worked because there was only four clears in the jump off.  “We’ve had him for three years and produced him from his very first show. He is the sort of pony who would kill himself for you in the ring and he is the one I always rely on for the big classes.”

Having travelled to the show from Bedfordshire, the Britsh Showjumping National Championships is proving to be a lucky show for the pair who were fourth in the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Masters at BSNC 2017 and won the Pony Discovery Championship Final at BSNC 2016. They train at Keysoe Equestrian Centre with Mark Mcgowan and have already qualified for HOYS in the Pony Foxhunter.

My mum is mad about horses; she is the one who got me into it, in fact I think she’s even crazier about them than me. If I give up tomorrow, she’d get someone else to ride the pony. But I don’t intend to give up anytime soon!”

National 128cm Champion

Tabitha Kyle is crowned the National 128cm Champion

Tabitha Kyle aboard the very appropriately named ‘Living the Dream’ jumped to the finish to take the National 128cm Champion title at the British Showjumping National Championships 2018.  With the top three placings offering a qualification to Horse of the Year Show there was all to play for.

Tabitha and Tucker (as he is known at home) are both 11 years old and they have travelled to the Championships from nearby Leicestershire. They will be back on Thursday for the Pony Foxhunter Masters and the Pony Silver League 148cm & Under Final. The combination have only been a partnership since March this year so this has been their biggest win. Speaking of their win, Tabitha explained:

My plan for the jump off was to go clear instead of go against the clock and luckily it paid off.  My ultimate goal this year was to qualify for HOYS which I managed to do so I’m really pleased.”

Tabitha has previously competed at HOYS in 2017 in the 128 Championship and the Stable Company 138cm Championship. However this will be Tucker’s first time at HOYS.

Second place was Noora Von Bulow with Sparkel and third place was Poppy Deakin with Munsboro Plunkett.

National 138cm Championship Final

Luli Loveridge wins the National 138cm Championship Final

There were 17 starters in the National 138cm Championship Final; the last class of the day in Championship Arena 1 at the British Showjumping National Championships 2018.

Out of the four riders who made it through to the jump off, just two went clear and the glory was that of Luli Loveridge and Arrow Head Quiver. The 23 year old Dun gelding proved that he had experience on his side as he sped around the jump off and shot into the lead. Speaking of their win, the Dorset based showjumper.

Lulu commented:

I’ve been riding him for about 18 months now and we have had some great wins. The course rode really well here today; my aim was definitely to go for time and he didn’t let me down.”

Double runner up was Elosie Squibb with Thelmas Gift in second and Drumaclan Flight in third.

Equithème National 148cm Championship

A double win for Lily Freeman-Atwood

With just one clear out of 32 riders, the course proved tough for the Equithème National 148cm Championship taking place in the Porsche Centre Solihull Championship Arena 2. It was a well-deserved win for Lily Freeman-Attwood who took the win with Capability Brown over a very difficult course.

Initially I wasn’t going to jump him as he is only a seven year old, but it paid off! I got him two and half years ago when an old family friend called and said he had a good young pony available. I wasn’t meant to buy him but we ended up never giving him back! We started him off very quietly and he has only stepped up to this level this year but he is already qualified for HOYS and now Olympia so he has completely exceeded expectations!”

Lily also first went into the ring, as second rider to start, with Valmy de Treille and ended up taking second place, making it a great 1 – 2 result.

Lily comes from Shrewsbury in Shropshire and trains with Mark McCourt. This is her second BSNC – she competed here in 2016 and won the under 14 Championship (Topspin III) and under 16 Championship (Banana D’Ive Z).

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