Day 1: British Showjumping National Championships
The first day of competition here at the British Showjumping National Championships, we welcomed the brand new for 2016, British Showjumping – Just for Schools National Championship classes.
This exciting new Championship allows schools and colleges across the UK to submit teams of three or four riders and individuals within a specific height category: 70cm, 80cm, 90cm, 1.00m or 1.10m. There are two qualifying routes for the final; either by being within the top eight of the British Showjumping – just for schools team league/top ten of the individual league table or via one of two direct qualifiers.
Team winners of the 70cm Championship were Llandovery Hawks all the way from Wales, followed by Kings of Wessex gold from the south west. The individual winner was Eviee Smith riding Rosedale Vectra and in second place was Megan Cowan riding Kiss N Tell III.
In the 80cm Championship, The Cottesloe School team took the spoils with Albyn School in second place. The individual win went to Charley Hamilton riding Kayem Fridays Dance and in close second was Megan Cowan riding Tullycars Peekaboo.
Onto the 90cm Championship which took place in Ring 3 and the team competition it was another battle between Llandovery riders and Kings of Wessex. However it was Llandovery Eagles who took the champion spot knocking the Kings of Wessex black team into second place. In the individual competition there was a joint first place which went to Callie Lorimer from Aberdeen riding My Diamond Geezer and Henry Nelson riding Arthur Comet from Llandovery School, part of the winning team.
Not to be deterred, Kings of Wessex black team came back fighting in the 1m Championship, taking the Championship title ahead of Mold Alun 100 team from Alun School from Flintshire in Wales. In the individual competition first place went to Katie Waldock-Smith riding Rose Cottage and in second was Asha Smith riding Armani Pullman.
The last class of the British Showjumping Just for Schools Championship was the 1.10m class won again by Kings of Wessex School, this time Kings of Wessex blue team. Being proud runners up once again were the Mold Alun 100 team from Alun School. Asha Smith from Devon was the individual winners of the 1.10m Just for Schools National Championships riding Armani Pullman, a 16 year old chestnut gelding
Also running throughout the day were British Showjumping pony warm up classes ranging from 80cm – 1.20m. Winner of the All Horse Magazine/Redpin Publishing 90cm Pony Warm Up Class was Sarah Mackmin age 15 riding her 10 year old chestnut gelding Hot Shot Bacardi. “We’ve only had him about three months and he has come a long way already in such a short time. I’ve been a member of British Showjumping since I was tiny, they have something to offer every level and every age of rider. I’m competing in Newcomer Masters class tomorrow then we’ll be heading home to Essex.”
In collaboration with the Pony Club, British Showjumping will, for the second year running, be recognising Pony Club member’s success at the British Showjumping National Championships. The highest placed Pony Club Member competing in the following Finals will be awarded a Pony Club rosette and sash to honour their achievement: Pony British Novice Championship, Haygain Pony Discovery Championship, Pony Bronze League Finals and Pony Silver League Finals.
The qualifying period for the 2017 Just for Schools Team & Individual Championships is underway. Running from 1st July 2016 – 30th June 2017, this season sees the Championships offer further opportunities for younger riders at Primary School level, with a new age range of 5 to 19 years. For more information please contact 02476 698824 or go to http://www.britishshowjumping.co.uk/membership/Just-for-Schools-Membership
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.