ALEXANDERS HORSEBOXES SCOPE FESTIVAL UK SUPREME CHAMPIONSHIPS
Tuesday 01 September 2015
Tears of joy, thrills and spills, coveted sashes, laps of honour, prize-winning rugs, fun, laughter, highs and lows, this week-long extravaganza was a roller-coaster of emotions, victories and entertainment.
Jodie Hall-McAteer had an incredible show with three major championship victories. The most poignant was the Squibb Group Dunglenn 148cm championship carrying a trophy dedicated to the famous 1970’s top JA pony Dunglenn, ridden to success by the late Michael Mac – former British Showjumping chairman and director of Scope.
“I promised ‘Macky’ I’d win this trophy one year, today, I achieved that promise,” said an emotional Jodie, who clinched victory with the final round in the five-pony decider on Lea Du Genier.
Favourite Tixylix – Jodie’s other jump-off ride – had an uncharacteristic run-out – I misjudged the turn, the angle was too tight,” said Jodie, who turned to second ride Lea for the winning round.
“She has a deceptive stride, I didn’t fell we were overly fast, but this is a great win for Lea, she’s always in Tixy’s shadow.”
At her first show with Colette HBC, Jodie claimed the Graham Heath Construction under 16 and George Babes young rider B and C championships. The eight-year-old mare, previously ridden by Charlene Bastone, only joined Jodie two days before the show.
“She rides like a pony but has loads of scope, I could dare her against the clock,” said Jodie, who then joined forces with Harry Charles on Cosmos M to take the Cats and Pipes pairs challenge.
Slicing corners and risking a gallop to the last, Geoff Billington secured a hugely popular win in the Bilton Ward Gents aboard ELO, a British-bred 10-year-old he has ridden for three years.
“He didn’t have the best canter but he’s improving all the time, now which way do I canter round [in the lap of honour], it’s been a while since I won,” joked Geoff, who last won this title in 2006 on Cassabachus.
Emma Stoker galloped to the final planks without caution to secure the West Coast Express ladies title on Bob Young’s 10-year-old Townhead Tallulah V.
“She’s phenomenal, just amazing,” said Emma, a previous winner of this title on China Blue in 2011.
Emma-Jo Slater was odds-on favourite to take the Buckaroo Saddlery adventurer with three in the jump-off, and duly won on Kim Barzilay’s home-bred Kimba Flamenco, who was second in the earlier six-year-old final.
“Potentially, he’s world-class,” said Kim on the Je T’Aime Flamenco gelding who is out of Emma-Jo’s favourite Uttah Van Het Indihof.
Emma-Jo was also second on Nina Phin, a six-year-old by Zip Phin, and fourth aboard Bambi Van Het Huikven.
Another with three chances in the jump-off, Claire Shepherd claimed the Sport Horse Classic blue riband on early drawn El Diablo Grande.
“I didn’t get a chance to study the jump-off course, the turn to the stile was a lot tighter than I expected, but Diablo was a pro, he’s a real winner,” said Claire, who is a HOYS Foxhunter contender with this seven-year-old.
And yet another with three rides in the jump-off, Julia Helm landed the Panda Flooring 95cm on her HOYS bronze league champion Helms Tolu.
“She’s 16 now and has bred a couple of foals,” said Julia, who was sixth on this mare’s sire Fritz Luke, and contended the Blue Riband on her son Helms Rossio.
It was a busy week for Julia, she was also making final preparations for her wedding to fiance Andy Richardson on the Sunday.
“I should just put Katie on the payroll,” said sponsor Alan Thomas of the Smarter Training Group after Fools Business won the 1.15m title for the third consecutive year – in 2014 & 2015 with Katie and 2013 with her sister Emma Sargeant.
“He’s mega,” said locally-based Katie, who also topped the two preliminary qualifiers on the home-bred It’s The Business 14-year-old.
Derek Morton regained his Safeway Scaffolding senior rider title – won in 2014 on Keep Talking – with Zagy, who finished second last year.
“If he leaves the fences up he’s exceptionally quick,” said Derek on the 11-year-old owned by Dawn Mincher.
Pippa Allen headed the Horsesolarium.co.uk four-year-old on John Steels and John Barry’s talented Galerius.
“It’s only his third show since May and he wasn’t fazed by the daunting arena – he has so much scope and takes it all in his stride,” said Pippa on the Diamant De Semilly/Sandro Boy stallion.
Style and performance judges Mike Florence and Gillian Milner were impressed.
“He’s well produced and beautifully balanced,” said Mike.
Derek Morton took the It’s The Business trophy for the best placed British-bred with the home-bred Cristo Beech.
“It’s The Business died earlier this year and Cristo is his last foal,” said Derek.
Jonathon Dixon topped the Equiport five-year-old on Karlo Van QC, a Courtello Z gelding bought as a two-year-old. Jonathon sold him to Michael and Candice Reilly as a four-year-old and kept the ride, and won Lummen, Belgium’s five-year-old final in April.
“This is his first big show since, I’ll keep him ticking over in the winter ready for his six-year-old year,” said Jonathon.
Annabel Shields seized the Red Fox six-year-old on the talented ABC Quantum Cruise – bought locally just five miles from their Durham village.
“His strong point is he’s ultra-careful, I could gallop to the final skinny planks with no worries,” said Annabel, who will contend the HOYS newcomers on this gelding with Cruising/Quickstar bloodlines.
Nicola Wright headed the Tacklockers.com novice with the Cavalier Royale five-year-old Galtee Violet.
“She’s so laidback, nothing bothers her,” said Nicola, 16, who accompanied her trainer Peter Mellor on a buying trip to Ireland – “She’s my birthday and Christmas presents.”
Charlie Dawson, 16, headed the David Hopkinson under 21 on TJM Henry De Reve.
“He’s scopey and can angle oxers easily and he has so much stride, he eats the ground,” said Charlie on the Irish-bred 11-year-old originally sourced in Ireland by Dave Quigley.
Alex McHattie, 15, claimed the Great Coffee children-on-horses title with Beryl Haslam’s Sonata, a 12-year-old she has ridden since Christmas.
“It was tight in the arena as she’s quite a big horse,” said Alex.
Hannah Barker, 10, scooped her first championship win in the Animo 128cm with Ballybur Oh Jessie.
“She’s got a long, rangy stride so she’s quick, and nothing bothers her, she’s so chilled,” said Hannah on the Irish-bred 17-year-old she has ridden for three years.
Lily Freeman Attwood’s biggest win came in the Waddesdon Stud 138cm with the game My Bugsy Malone.
“He’s crazy and loves going fast, if I take a pull on the reins he takes no notice, he knows better than me,” said Shrewsbury-based Lily, 13, who is trained by Mark McCourt.
Madison Heath grabbed her father’s sponsored class, the Graham Heath Construction primary 128cm with loyal partner Red Alert III, winner of the POYS 128cm grand prix at Easter.
“She helps me out loads and pulls me into the fences,” said Madison, who heeded trainer Mark McCourt’s advice to “keep moving and go careful to the planks.”
It was almost a family double as Bobbie Heath and The Jacaloupe held a brief lead in the Graham Heath Construction primary 138cm, but Emelia Mitchell pipped them at the post on Little Miss Ebony.
“She can be strong at times, but she can gallop and turn quickly,” said Emelia, who finds her pony is “a character at home, but she does the job in the ring.”
Motorbike speeds and handbrake turns earned the Cats and Pipes debut 128cm and the Pure Feed Company’s tiny tots titles for Emelie Wright, 10, with Billy Two Rivers.
“I can gallop hard and he won’t knock the fences down, if I think I’m too fast, I’m still not fast enough,” said Emelie, who joined forces with the Irish-bred 17-year-old two years ago.
Charlotte Hall, 14, made her Scope debut a winning one in the Cats and Pipes debut 138cm on Calusa.
“Everything went to plan in the jump-off, the arena is intimidating but Calusa did well,” said Charlotte, who has ridden the 10-year-old gelding for two and a half years – “He’s bossy in the stable and very greedy.”
Olivia Poole landed the Peace Love World 1.10m and Netley Hall pony progressive championships with the British-bred seven-year-old Pauldarys Bobby’s Girl, a daughter of Pauldarys Romeo.
“She’s forward-going with a big stride,” said Olivia, who acquired this pony last year – “She was jumping in horse classes, but she measures as a pony so we bought her.”
Second in the Dunglenn, Jessica Hewitt, 16, posted the sole double clear to claim the Lunn Jubilee 1.20m on the Barker Family’s Ammanvalley Santino – her 2015 pony European team gold medallist.
“He’s so well schooled and adjustable, it’s like sitting in an armchair,” said Jessica.
Emma Crawford landed the Mandy Hall 1.15m with her 11-year-old Connemara Stars Surprise.
“He’s really good at turns, we got all out turn options,” said Emma, 15, who will contend the HOYS pony Foxhunter in October, “He’s JA now so I’ll move him up to the bigger stuff next year.”
Tegen Noy made her journey from Cornwall worthwhile, registering her biggest win in the OldSchoolBamburgh.co.uk pony novice on Watts Joy.
“He’s better at turning than galloping, I was the only one to get inside to the second fence,” said Tegen, who has produced the Connemara seven-year-old for three years.
“He’s chilled at home, but he does like to jump in and out of the paddocks.”
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
WEST COAST EXPRESS LADIES
1 Emma Stoker & Townhead Tallulah V – 0/0 31.36
2 Laura Robinson & Jonti – 0/0 32.21
3 Kerry Brennan & Wellington M – 0/0 32.66
BILTON WARD GENTS
1 Geoff Billington & ELO – 0/0 30.74
2 Matthew Sampson & Eagles Costalot – 0/0 31.09
3 Mark Edwards & Unbelievable Eddie – 0/0 31.43
SAFEWAY SCAFFOLDING SENIOR RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Derek Morton & Zagy – 0/0 32.69
2 Norman Proffitt & Valentino XIV – 0/0 33.81
3 Vere Phillipps & Skerne Scipio – 0/0 34.55
SMARTER TRAINING 1.15m CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Katie Shaw & Fools Business – 0/0 34.24
2 Rachel Vicary & Sparkling Indulgence – 0/0 35.81
3 Hollie Pearce & Hilarius – 0/0 39.35
PANDA FLOORING 95cm CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Julia Helm & Helms Tolu – 0/0 35.33
2 Mandy Dexter & Rocky XVI – 0/0 37.50
3 Hannah Alberta & My Boy IV – 0/0 38.24
SPORT HORSE CLASSIC BLUE RIBAND CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Claire Shepherd & El Diablo Grande – 0/0 34.62
2 Bryan Smith & Dungimmon Sunrise – 0/0 35.71
3 Graham Babes & Cluedo II – 0/0 35.74
TACKLOCKERS.COM 1m NOVICE CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Nicola Wright & Galtee Violet – 0/0 38.51
2 Jasmine Cain & Filhilithya – 0/0 44.11
3 Emma-Jo Slater & April Love – 0/4 33.99
BUCKAROO SADDLERY ADVENTURER CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Emma-Jo Slater & Kimba Flamenco – 0/0 31.71
2 Emma-Jo Slater & Nina Phin – 0/0 32.38
3 Annabel Shields & My Casall – 0/0 32.39
HORSESOLARIUM.CO.UK FOUR-YEAR-OLD CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Pippa Allen & Galerius – 223
2 Emma Stoker & Townhead Shariva – 219
3 Tim Page & Wild Balou Bill – 216
EQUIPORT FIVE-YEAR-OLD CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Jonathon Dixon & Karlo Van QC – 0/0 40.09
2 Mennell Watson & Triple Twist – 0/0 40.11
3 Christie Pritchard & Horse Victorys Fayot – 0/0 40.52
RED FOX SIX-YEAR-OLD CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Annabel Shields & ABC Quantum Cruise – 0/0 32.67
2 Emma-Jo Slater & Kimba Flamenco – 0/0 34.67
3 Emma Stoker & Townhead Shelby – 0/0 39.50
CATS & PIPES PAIRS CHALLENGE
1 Jodie Hall-McAteer/Colette HBC & Harry Charles/Cosmos M
2 Lucinda Stewart/Con 3 & Richard Howley/Twitter
3 Hollie Pearce/Hilarius & Pippa Allen/Fredric VIII
YOUNG RIDERS
DAVID HOPKINSON UNDER 21 CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Charlie Dawson & TJM Henry De Reve – 0/0 40.32
2 Jordan Thompson & Topflight True Carlo – 0/0 40.84
3 Graham Babes & Boucheron – 0/0 41.02
GRAHAM HEATH CONSTRUCTION UNDER 16 CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Jodie Hall-McAteer & Colette HBC – 0/0 26.59
2 Olivia Poole & Chinook BH – 0/0 27.15
3 Hannah Hughes & Eyecatcher II – 0/0 29.28
GEORGE BABES YOUNG RIDER B&C CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Jodie Hall McAteer & Colette HBC – 0/0 31.97
2 Carmen Edwards & Zarissa – 0/0 32.39
3 Carmen Edwards & Bow House Secret – 0/0 33.38
GREAT COFFEE CHILDREN ON HORSES CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Alex McHattie & Sonata – 0/0 32.72
2 Olivia Poole & Chinook BH – 0/0 33.64
3 Emily Ward & King Mac – 0/0 35.47
PONIES
DUNGLENN CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Jodie Hall-McAteer & Lea Du Genier – 0/0 39.61
2 Jessica Hewitt & Ammanvalley Santino – 0/0 44.37
3 Scarlett Charles & Aroldo – 0/4 35.78
ANIMO 128cm CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Hannah Barker & Ballybur Oh Jessie – 0/0 29.71
2 Emelia Mitchell & Time To Party – 0/0 31.14
3 Hariette Jones & Pondhead Dexter – 0/4 34.90
WADDESDON STUD 138cm CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Lily Freeman Attwood & My Bugsy Malone – 0/0 29.23
2 Tahnia Jordan Jones & Thyme Flies – 0/0 30.20
3 Madison Jamison & Misty Bay II – 0/0 32.41
CATS & PIPES 128cm DEBUT CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Emelie Wright & Billy Two Rivers – 0/0 28.05
2 Ellie Burrell-Squibb & Rahanane Lady – 0/0 29.71
3 Aimee Jones & Tarrywood In A Pickle – 0/0 31.61
CATS & PIPES 138CM DEBUT CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Charlotte Hall & Calusa – 0/0 29.17
2 Molly Heaps & Stadmorslow Angel – 0/0 29.42
3 Seamus Taylor & Flicka Flick Flack – 0/0 30.49
GRAHAM HEATH CONSTRUCTION 128cm PRIMARY CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Madison Heath & Red Alert III – 0/0 28.16
2 Holly Truelove & Toya Whispering Sand – 0/0 28.62
3 Emelia Mitchell & Time To Party 0/0 28.88
GRAHAM HEATH CONSTRUCTION 138cm PRIMARY CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Emelia Mitchell & Little Miss Ebony – 0/0 29.91
2 Bobbie Heath & The Jacaloupe – 0/0 30.32
3 Sandy McLean & Loughcutra Lad – 0/0 31.97
PURE FEED COMPANY TINY TOTS CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Emelie Wright & Billy Two Rivers – 0/0 28.46
2 Evie Tighe & My Mate Murphy – 0/0 29.79
3 Ellie Burrell-Squibb & Kitty – 0/0 30.47
MANDY HALL PONY 1.15m CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Emma Crawford & Stars Surprise – 0/0 35.69
2 Fraser Reed & Jiminy Cricket – 0/0 39.88
3 Ellie Hall McAteer & Future Interest – 0/0 41.37
NETLEY HALL PROGRESSIVE PONY CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Olivia Poole & Pauldarys Bobby’s Girl – 0/0 32.42
2 Ryan Lockwood & Nelly III – 0/0 34.08
3 Anoushka Mauree & Westervelds Florijn 0/0 34.54
OLD SCHOOL BAMBURGH NOVICE PONY MASTERS
1 Tegen Noy & Watts Joy – 0/0 32.92
2 Maisie Sloan & Its A Bella – 0/0 35.21
3 Iwan Carpenter & Follow Jazzy Lady – 0/0 35.49
PEACE LOVE WORLD PONY ADVENTURER CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Olivia Poole & Pauldarys Bobby’s Girl – 0/0 33.65
2 Jessica Hewitt & Wildwood Silver – 0/0 34.87
3 Morgan Henderson & Hilary Hexad – 0/0 35.52
LUNN FAMILY 1.20m JUBILEE CHAMPIONSHIP
1 Jessica Hewitt & Ammanvalley Santino – 0/0 42.22
2 Jodie Hall-McAteer & Lea Du Genier – 0/4 29.14
3 Charlotte Ash & Killack King – 0/4 31.55
Full results can be found at www.scopefestival.org
