ADDINGTON MANOR EQUESTRIAN CENTRE WINTER PREMIER SHOW
Monday 10 November 2014
A delighted Jay Halim secured his first Winter Grand Prix win at Addington Manor’s Winter Premier Show with For Fun II, owned by Goodman Equine Ltd. The pair took the class in fine style with the last round in the eight horse jump-off.
It was the only class of the day Jay had contended, as the increasingly popular rider had spent a busy day at Your Horse Live, held at Stoneleigh Park 50 miles away, as the star of a lecture demo.
“I had a lorry, a groom and two horses in each location, it took some organising and I dashed to Addington in the car as soon as I could,” said Jay, who was also in demand at Your Horse Live on Sunday with a further demo and signings.
Jay hadn’t expected to win. “For Fun had suffered from a virus recently and had not really been on form,” he said, “This win has set me up for the winter season and is another great win for Jen Goodman, she’s a fabulous owner.”
Jay has enjoyed a good summer season, with Grand Prix wins to his credit. “I’ve worked very hard and had good results, but deciding which classes to jump can be difficult with older horses. For Fun is 17 now, and I aim to be more selective with him, I don’t want to over-jump him.”
Horse of the Year Show Young Rider Champion Chloe Winchester took second in the Grand Prix on her mother Gillian’s scopey and ultra-consistent 11 year-old bay mare Avoca Valkyrie. This was the first show back since Horse of the Year Show for the pair, and they immediately hit winning form here, after heading an early 1.40m worth £1,000 to the winner.
“She’s just been hacking quietly at home while I’ve concentrated on the youngsters,” said Chloe, who is now preparing for the Dodson & Horrell World Class Programme U23 British Championship at Olympia.
Executing a super-smooth, stylish clear in the final round of the jump-off, Graham Gillespie claimed victory in the Dodson & Horrell World Class Programme Under 23 British Championship Qualifier riding Linnea Ask.
Visiting course designer Portugal’s Bernado Costa Cabral set a stiff test for the 36 participants, with an imposing combination near the end of the course catching several hopefuls, and only five clears were realised for the jump-off.
Alfie Bradstock and the former eventer Caicos, an 11 year-old bay gelding owned by Graham Fletcher set an early standard, but they were immediately beaten by Abbie Newbery on the handsome 12 year-old grey gelding Valentino VII, owned by Sharifa Al-Homaizi and Tony Newbery.
Harry Charles, following his father, Olympic gold medallist Peter’s instructions, rode a neat, economical round on Murkas Nevada VI, a 13 year-old chestnut stallion owned by Olga White and Team Murka to slot in front of Alfie, but Abbie remained resolutely ahead.
Graham, however, had other ideas, and his smooth, seemingly unhurried round with the scopey grey Linnea Ask sliced off over a second for a great win.
The 11-year-old mare was purchased only three months ago from Sweden for owner Ashlee Harrison, who has ridden her in smaller classes but hands the reins over to partner Graham for the bigger tracks.
“She has all the scope in the world, and loves her job, she rises to the occasion when there is an atmosphere,” said Graham, at only his second show with the likeable, easy mare.
Results:
WINTER GRAND PRIX
1 Jay Halim/Goodmans For Fun 0/0 34.58
2 Chloe Winchester/Avoca Valkyrie 0/0 35.54
3 Alfie Bradstock/Benedictus 0/0 37.19
4 Dale Burnham/Romanella Gold 0/0 38.45
5 Damian Charles/Parkmore Lux 0/4 32.95
DODSON & HORRELL WORLD CLASS PROGRAMME UNDER 23 BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER
1 Graham Gillespie/Linnea Ask 0/0 40.24
2 Abbie Newbery/Valentino VII 0/0 41.55
3 Harry Charles/Murkas Nevada 0/0 45.01
4 Alfie Bradstock/Caicos 0/0 45.82
5 Jessica Dimmock/Tinkas Tyson 0/4 47.72
