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Event Reports and Photos
HIGH STANDARDS SET AT THE SEARCH FOR A STAR RIDING FOR THE DISABLED CHAMPIONSHIP
The first Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Search for a Star showing competition since 2019 was held at the RDA National Championships at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire on Friday 15th July.
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RDA centres from across the country were represented in the Search for a Star competition with competitors travelling from as far as Devon (Erme Valley RDA), Middlesborough (Tyne and Wear RDA) and Cambridgeshire (Cambridgeshire College RDA). Search for a Star Riding for the Disabled is undertaken in a lowkey manner to ensure all competitors are able to enjoy performing in this showing class. Mr Richard Ramsay judged alongside Katie and Chris Jerram-Hunnable fulfilled the essential role of stewarding the horses and riders to and from the arena and clearly explaining the procedure whilst in the ring. Four champions were presented with green, gold and white sashes, a plaque, rosettes and
“In this class, we look for a very mannerly horse or pony that is straightforward for the rider. Manners and suitability are crucial.” - Katie Jerram-Hunnable
Chris Bradley MBF Harley Rebel. Photo: SMR Photos
advice from the Judges. The overall champion title went to Tara Redfern and My Last Bob. Chris Bradley and his own, MBF Harley Rebel took the best rider title for Cambridgeshire College RDA and Catriona McCartney and Axholme Thor took the championship for best combination. Chris Bradley won the best rider title in Search for a Star at Hartpury. This is not the first time Chris has done well in RDA Search for a Star, he was placed in 2019 with Quintus. Chris who has also evented and competed in dressage said: “I just knew that Harley was the horse for me when I sat on him. I’m so pleased with him, maybe we will do more Search for a Star classes. He jumps too and we are planning to start practicing for the special Olympics.” Chris has had a tough time, his mother explained: “Quintus very sadly got a tumour and died. Chris thought he might not get another one at one point. We started looking and sat on loads of horses before finding Harley. We’ve only had him since the end of April.” Marketing Manager at SEIB, Nicolina MacKenzie said: “Every time we are so impressed with the lovely horses and riders that come forward. Our Judges are pleased to be able to offer help and encouragement all of which is appreciated – we are all very grateful. Thank you to the RDA championships team for making us feel so welcome.”
www.seib.co.uk #SEIBhere2help
SUFFOLK’S LILY ASPELL WINS
Saturday 16th July
At Morris Equestrian Centre, Lily Aspell, from Newmarket, won the Blue Chip Pony
Newcomers Second Rounds, riding Donna Caldwell’s Legends Rock. Forty-four keen combinations came forward at the start, and nine combinations jumped double clear for a spot in the final jump off. The jump off saw five combinations jump clear so it would require a quick round to secure a ticket to HOYS, and a quick clear round is what this combination produced. Lily piloted the 9-year-old dun gelding across the finish line just 0.04 seconds ahead of second place, stopping the clock at 33.15 seconds and securing this partnership the win.
AL SHIRA’AA HICKSTEAD DERBY MEETING
Sunday 26th June
Show producer Katie Jerram-Hunnable secured a royal victory at the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting at West Sussex’s All England Jumping Course recently.
Riding the 5-year-old Sunbeam for Her Majesty The Queen, Jerram-Hunnable took top honours in the Supreme Coloured Horse Ridden Championship. “It’s so lovely to have a win for the Queen in her Jubilee year,” said Jerram-Hunnable. “He’s a homebred of hers, and he’s beautiful, but he’s only five, so it was a big ask. The Queen knows about the win, and she’s over the moon.” Sunbeam is not the first Hickstead champion that Jerram-Hunnable has piloted for Her Majesty - the ex-racehorse
Katie Jerram-Hunnable rode a winner for Her Majesty The Queen at the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead, West Sussex.
Barbers Shop won here back in 2013. “I was thinking when I was in the ring that this was our first big chance since Barbers Shop to win another one for Her Majesty,” added JerramHunnable. Sunbeam, whose mother Tiger Lily IX was evented by the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Tindall, was born at the Hampton Court Stud Farm, and Jerram-Hunnable first laid eyes on him as a youngster. From that moment she felt he had that little extra something that makes a top-class show horse. “I thought he was absolutely lovely,” she added. “Then he was sent to me as a three-and-a-half year old, and we’ve had him ever since – but he’s what we’d call one of the ‘Covid babies’. He hasn’t seen a lot in life yet.” To overcome Sunbeam’s lack of exposure to the atmosphere of major show rings such as Hickstead’s, The Queen and Jerram-Hunnable hit upon a novel approach. “Normally, they come through their novice years and get stepped up to big shows like this, but these Covid babies haven’t seen a lot. But Sunny was stabled on site for the Jubilee celebrations, so he heard a lot of the noise and crowds!”
ESSEX TEEN AND POCKET-SIZED RIDE TAKE TOP HONOURS IN HICKSTEAD OPENER
“Even just riding in that arena is surreal – I never though we would win it,” says a delighted Madieson Blakesley, who claimed the first class of the week in Hickstead’s Longines International Arena.
Her partner for the winning round in the Hickstead Novice 1.10m Championship is the diminutive Kyra, with whom she’s already formed a sterling relationship – despite only having the little mare for a month. “She was a little bit strong when I first got her, and I messed around with bits for a while, but I’ve got the hang of her now,” says Madieson, an alumnus of Raleigh’s Sweyne Park School. “We haven’t done too much together; this is only our fourth show, but she’s awesome.” Unlike many competitors at Hickstead, who campaign expansive strings of horses, Kyra is Madieson’s only horse – “So she gets very spoiled,” laughs the rider. When she’s not training and competing, Madieson assists with the family mechanics business. It’s a balancing act, but it’s already paying off.
Taking a win in the main arena at the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting is always a great achievement, but doing so on an unfamiliar horse is even more impressive - and that’s exactly what Ronnie Jones did to secure the win in the Mochara 1.25m Open Championship.
His winning ride came aboard the elegant grey Cruso J RS, who had been in Ronnie’s string for just a week. “It’s all quite unknown with him, but he just gets better and better, so we’ve got high hopes for him,” said Ronnie of the 10-year-old gelding, who he co-owns with partner Alex Bishop. “It was his first time in the main arena, so I wasn’t sure how he was going to react, but he was really good. I was a little bit worried about jumping the wall, because he hasn’t seen one of those either, but he didn’t bat an eyelid at it. He got in a really nice rhythm, and he’s really careful, so I was able to just trust him to the last.” Cruso J RS is a grandson of the famous showjumping stallion Cornet Obolensky, who was recently at the centre of a highstakes evacuation from Ukraine, where he stands at stud – and Ronnie is certain that that’s where his horse’s character and competitive spirit comes from.
WELSHMOOR OF THE YEAR
Saturday 18th June
1st Concours Ella Miller and Bingo 1st Trot Off - Faye Bircher and Patch 2nd Concours Wendy Winney and Charlie
1st M&M - Tara Buckley and Murthwaite Heir Hunter
Best Rider - Kaci Bircher and Pantyfid Pure Gold
Reserve Supreme In Hand - Laura Oughton-Auker and Merribridge Huntsman Reserve Coloured Champion - Maddy Vaughan and Warrackston Little Jasper
Supreme In Hand - Phillip Ward-Burton and Griseburn Orla Reserve Supreme Champion - Mia Pottle and Poppet
REHOMED REDWINGS HORSES CELEBRATE SUCCESS AT THE ROYAL NORFOLK SHOW
Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th June
Redwings Edward and Guardian Claire, Rocket and Redwings team member Natalie , Stardust and Redwings team member Katie and Matty and Guardian Sarah
Redwings Patchwork triumphed in the Ridden Rescue class and Redwings Edward came second in the In-hand Rescue class at this year’s Royal Norfolk Show, the first held since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Joining Edward in the Inhand class were Redwings Matty who took fifth place, Redwings Stardust, sixth place, and Redwings Rocket, seventh place.
Patchwork, a 13.2hh, 13-yearold cob mare, was attending the show with her Guardians Yvette and Victoria. She was rescued by the charity in 2009, as one of eleven horses from a site in Rickmansworth. The horses had been abandoned and were straying onto the grounds of a local school. They were in poor condition, with suspected heavy worm burdens. As the group had not received even the most basic care, they were all underweight and suffering from lice, which was treated on arrival at Redwings. Patchwork’s blood tests also showed she had problems with both her intestines and liver. Yvette said: “Patchwork, or Millie as she is known to us, has done us proud today. We don’t show regularly, and she spends most of the time as a happy hacker with my mum, but we love to bring her to the Norfolk Show to represent Redwings and show how great rehomed Redwings horses can be!” The Rescue classes are judged on a combination of their rescue story and transformation, and their show on the day. For Redwings Edward it was his first ever show, after being rehomed in June 2020 to his Guardians Claire and Ann. The Cob gelding in the ring looked a different sight from the horse that came to Redwings in 2013, severely underweight and with blood tests revealing he was suffering with a high worm burden that had caused damage to his intestines, and with liver damage caused by ragwort toxicity. Claire, reflecting on their class in the ring, said: “I am beyond proud of Edward. Before this he had never really left our yard before, and now here he is competing at county show level. He behaved impeccably in the ring and I could not be happier with him!” Before their appearance in the Rescue class, Redwings Stardust and Redwings Rocket had a busy day as they were stars of the Royal Norfolk Show Rescue Village, meeting members of the public and helping promote the Redwings rehoming scheme. Rocket, a 12.3hh Cob gelding, and Stardust, a 13hh Cob mare, will soon both be available to rehome as unbacked projects –looking for experienced Guardians to continue their training to be ridden horses. Rachel Angell, Head of Norfolk Equine Operations, who heads up the charity’s rehoming scheme said: “What fabulous results for team Redwings at the Norfolk Show. To see our rescued horses doing so well, and their Guardians supporting Redwings by showing them at such a prestigious event, is wonderful! It is such a great opportunity to show what our ponies can do in their new homes and will hopefully inspire others to rehome a horse from Redwings.” There are currently 500 horses living out in homes through the Redwings Guardianship scheme. Horses are rehomed on a longterm loan, with Redwings retaining ownership in case of any changes in their Guardian’s circumstances. Applications to rehome a horse are welcomed via:
www.redwings.org.uk/ rehoming
WELSHMOOR SUMMER SASH SHOW
Sunday 10th July
Charlee Filby and Hodeme Picasso 1st Concours D'Elegance - Bev Pooley andScarf
Leah Bircher and Pantyfid Master Rupert
1st Open In Hand Matt Corder and Pantyfid Master Rupert
Supreme Ring 3 - Seren Platt and Annie Reserve Supreme Ring 3 - Faye Bircher and Charlie Boy
Supreme Champion - April Abbott-Hall and Ballagh En Vogue 1st Youngstock Angela Fox and Spellbound Hobbit Warrior
Reserve Champion Ring 3 - Georgia Filby
Reserve Supreme Champion - Sofia Twitchen and Pippi
SHOWCASE SERIES EVENING PERFORMANCE SHOW
Saturday 23rd July
2nd Ridden Coloured - Millie Metcalf and Tinkers Dream Boy 1st M&M Small Breeds - Clair Scales and Dargale Angela
M&M Champion Tara Buckley and Murthwaite Heir Hunter Reserve Traditional Champion - Emilie Organ and Julius
1st Shetland - Kate Tarn and Topfield Mr Boombastic
Reserve M&M Champion - Kate Scorey-Sayer and Llanai Guardsman
Traditional Champion Alice Griffiths and Hillrow Harvest Supreme In Hand - Philip WardBurton and Ducketts Dilemma
Reserve Supreme Ridden - Jo Eldridge and Bikers Tony
Reserve Supreme In Hand - Christy Seaman and Griseburn Orla
ESSEX SUFFOLK PONY CLUB CAMP
Wednesday 27th July
Millie Siggers and Sabinas Bright Star Amelia Anley and Berry
Harry Spence Annabel Bryce and Sporty
Mia Rush and Winnie
Poppy Anley and Ruben
Olivia Cottrell Sammy Westerling and Rev
ESSEX’S IZABELLA ROGERS WINS THE BLUE CHIP PONY NEWCOMERS SECOND ROUND Saturday 18th June
At Bishop Burton College Summer Pony Premier, Izabella Rogers, from Chelmsford, won the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Second Rounds, riding Nicola
Rogers’ Ella Z. Izabella rode two clear rounds aboard the 9-year-old bay mare for a spot in the final jump off along with thirteen other combinations. A quick clear round secured this partnership the win, stopping the clock two seconds ahead of their nearest rival.
Champion Light Horse - Caitlin Thurston and Moorsholme 1st Yearling - Kate Scorey-Sayer and Glanhayl Hurricane Champion In Hand Coloured Georgia Pratt and Orions Blu Thunder
Reserve M&M Champion Amelia Grantham and Landslow Pearly Queen Champion Youngstock - Amelia Short and Rhydypandy Braint
Champion In Hand Pony Caron Woodcock and Belchford Casper
Reserve Novice Champion Wendy Winney and Charlie
Supreme Champion In Hand Tim Hall andHoreb The High Roller Reserve Supreme In Hand - Jo Cullen and Sunwillow Antonia
Reserve Supreme Ridden - Harry Peck and Brechfa Cynog Reserve Traditional Champion - Faye Bircher and Charlie Boy Champion Miniature Horse - Zoe Sturgess and Blackspirits Silver Dream
