Saturday afternoon saw the culmination of the 4YO and 5YO Championships, sponsored by Ashdale Sports Horses and Northcote Stud respectively.
With a final round judged on style and performance, the 4YO Championship saw Danielle Ryder and Lapromesse lift the title. Carmen Edwards and Cicero Z sired stallion, Chef of Flanders Fields Z came in in second place, while Angie Thompson continued her very successful week with a third place aboard Catyana MDS. Director of Al Shira’aa Stables, Mohamed Al Owais, secured fourth place and Best British Bred 4YO, on Al Shira’aa Farms Ltd’s stallion ‘SS Pegasus’.
It was KWPN mare, Kaleche, who concluded the Northcote Stud 5YO Championships with a win under Ronnie Jones, for Ruth Dowie. Joseph Trunkfield and Untouchable Wizzard continued a consistent week taking second place, just in front of Messarado Blue, ridden by Christopher Smith who had another two horses place in the top eleven.
Jay Halim added to his Bolesworth winning tally, heading up the Equerry Horse Feed 1.00m Open Championship aboard Billy Cointreau. Ruby Light jumped to an impressive second place on Lord Don, a gelding who she first rode just a week ago! Emily Morris topped off a week of consistency in the 1.00m series, concluding the Championship with a third place to add to her tally.
Joss Williams once again claimed top spot, this time in the final round of the Voltaire Design 1.10 Open Championship aboard Jan Croomer’s Zandokan Z. He maintained a clear lead over Isabel Saywell and Bandito, who was closely followed by Francesca Young. Jay Halim narrowly missed out on another podium spot, this time on Dane Z.
Is it something in the name?! The Sovereign Equestrian sponsored 1.35m Accumulator Class was headed up by 5 J’s – James Smith (1st & 5th), James Whitaker, Joe Clayton and Jo McGlory. Always an exciting competition, the joker fence caused it’s fair share of disappointment, but in the end it came down to 0.01 seconds which saw Selle Francais, Twix De La Roque crowned over Irish Bred, Lammy Beach.
In the first of the two pony classes of the afternoon, Keiran Taylor soared to victory by over 4 seconds in the John Deere by Turner Groundscare 138cm Grand Prix Series. Ruby Barrs and Evie Banks took second and third sport respectively.
Saturday’s final class in the Castle Arena was the Cheval Liberté sponsored 128cm Grand Prix Series. Hot off the back of her sister’s win on Friday, Katie Bradburne took top honours aboard Carrowvilla Izzy, narrowly missing out on a 1-2 when Runaway Dolly had a pole down on a faster time, instead settling for 6th. It was Emily Irvine and Isabelle Harris who instead took second and third.
The Equitop GLME Puissance is a highlight for many. This year 1.98m was cleared by Joss Williams, Philip Miller & Derek Morton who agreed to split the prize fund and share top honours.