British Showjumping National Championships – Saturday 5th August Roundup

Claiming the first championship title of day 5 at the British Showjumping National Championships was Georgina Ellis and Croisiere (Swanky), in the National 1.25m Restricted Rider Championship Final in the Tack & Tailor Championship Arena 1. After sustaining an injury, the ex-event horse joined the Warwickshire-based rider, who rides racehorses for a living. When asked about her round, Georgina commented, “I had two horses in the jump off and I had to go quite early on the first one. I was lucky enough to be drawn last on my second horse and I knew I had to go quite quick to win. He’s a brilliant horse and he didn’t let me down! Swanky has been jumping some big classes recently. It was nice to do the 1.25 which was more in his comfort zone, and it really showed.”

Max Routledge and Troy Z took home the National 4 Year Old title in the UNIBED Championship Arena 2. Troy said, “I’m very pleased with him. Obviously, they’re all green. He’s only done three or four shows and he’s clear all the time. He’s a lovely horse, but you never know what they’re going to do in the ring. He’s the full brother to Darry Lou so we have really high hopes for him. I’ve only had him for the summer season, but the lads at Al Shira’Aa did a really good job getting him started.”

Essex-based Courtney Young riding Double M Sensation (Princess) conquered the Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Championship with an impressive round in the Tack & Tailor Championship Arena 1. Courtney commented, “he went fast! It was a big class and quite a lot of combinations in the jump off. Princess is owned by Julian Mincher and Maxine, and I’ve been riding her for a while now. We won the 5-year-old final at Hartpury just a few weeks ago. She’s a cracking little horse and is really lovely!”

Following on was the Retraining of Racehorses Club League Championship Final – 75cm in the UNIBED Championship Arena 2. Caitlin Wornham riding the 7-year-old Andre Amar, stable name Arney, were crowned champions. When asked about her round, Caitlin said, “he answered so many questions. This is only his first year in training, so for him to do absolutely everything I asked, I’m so pleased with him. There were a few sticky moments here and there, but he really stepped up and that’s the best he’s ever gone. As much as I wanted the win, this is obviously his first year in training and just being here in and of itself is a big achievement for him, so I just went in giving it my all and it worked out for the best. He raced up until last October. I brought him into training in the Easter and he’s just had the most perfect attitude.”

The Retraining of Racehorses Bronze League title went to Jenny Bennett riding Clancy’s Cross in the UNIBED Championship Arena 2. The Staffordshire-based competitor said, “my round went better than I expected, he was a bit lively in the warmup, but I can always rely on him! I brought him to eventing but quickly realised this wasn’t for him, he didn’t like water or ditches! We competed in unaffiliated classes until 2020 where he was incredibly quick and won frequently. He sustained an injury in 2021 and came back into competition last year.”

Claiming the Senior Newcomers Masters victory in the Tack & Tailor Arena 1 was Nicole Pavitt and Lady Sally Jobson-Scott’s Cornet of Follyfoot (Bill). When asked about her round, the West-Sussex based rider said that “the plan was to not go too fast because he’s in the 6-year-old final tomorrow. My advantage was obviously being towards the end of the draw, and the rounds kept getting faster and faster, so I just knew we had to go for it. He finds everything super easy, and I think he has a naturally big stride, so it worked in my favour. He’s had good success with his previous riders, which just shows what a quality horse he is.”

With their second win of the week, Mark Edwards and Flying Tinker II sped to the top of the Horse of the Year Show International Wild Card Qualifier Incorp the National Speed Horse Final to take the title in the Tack & Tailor Championship Arena 1. “Everything went to plan, almost quicker than I planned to go,” Mark explained. “It’s always a tough class to judge how quick to go and it’s a big ask to keep it as smooth and tight as possible, but he’s a super horse. Nationals is always one of the aims of the year. We had a good run up to it with New Forest, so we came to this nice and fresh, and he’s absolutely bang on form again.”

Orla Morrin and Kalindi K managed to end the very wet day on a high, claiming the last title of the day in the UNIBED Championship Arena 2. The National 1.15m Members Cup Champion said, “I’m really pleased with the jump off. She can sense the atmosphere and knows when she needs to pull it out of the bag. I had a good feeling as soon as we cantered into the ring, I’m so pleased. I’ve had her since she was a 4-year-old and she’s 10 now so I feel like we’ve sort of grown together, which is really nice. We’ve had some wins recently leading up to this, so it’s amazing that it all came together on the day.” Having recently qualified as a vet, Orla is planning her move to Belgium, where Kalindi K will join her. Orla added, “Kalindi K is incredibly consistent, and she loves to win as much as I do. She’s been a fantastic horse for me, I love her to bits, and I think she’s amazing.”

For the full result list from Saturday 5^th August 2023 please visit: https://members.britishshowjumping.co.uk/Live/Show/10015148