CHEPSTOW SPRING INTERNATIONAL
Tuesday 07 May 2019
An action-packed four days of Showjumping at the popular Chepstow Spring International finished on a high with The USA’s Taylor Alexander securing the top-billed 1.45m grand prix on Ryanair De Riverland in a hotly-contended jump-off to deny Kerry Brennan and Wellington M back-to-back wins.
Forty-five competitors came forward in this world ranking class and Italian coursed-designer Andrea Colombo set an up-to-height, technical thirteen-fence test to reduce them to eight for an edge-of-your-seats jump-off.
Richard Barton’s early clear on Donata held the lead despite Jessica Dimmock’s challenge on Cybel but Taylor set off at the gallop on Ryanair De Riverland to wipe more than three seconds from his time.
“We know each other well and he’s naturally quick and it makes the jump-off super-easy,” said Taylor, on the Quick Star 14-year-old.
Last-to-go Kerry Brennan was out to retain her 2018 title and the 16-year-old Wellington M matched her fervour to give his utmost, flying around the course with ears pricked. But they couldn’t catch the leaders and had to settle for second place 1.71 seconds in arrears.
However, Kerry and the effusive ‘Wellie’ claimed a victory double in the other big tour classes. The pair arrived at the show on form, and fresh from their grand prix victory at Weston Lawns just days earlier, they forged ahead to take the initial 1.40m.
Sixteen of the sixty-one starters came forward to the jump-off with Kerry and the Quidam De Revel x Cash 16-year-old claiming the win by 0.47 seconds from fellow Brit Alice Watson on Billy Lemon.
"He loves the big arena here, you wouldn't know he's 16-years-old, he's back at top fitness," said Kerry.
The pair also headed the 1.40m speed on the final day, winning with a half a second advantage over Paul Barker and Dalton W.
Mark Edwards was another to score a handsome double of victories, winning with his home-bred father and son duo Tinkers Tale and Montreuxs Tale.
Mark topped the big tour 1.40m two-phase on Montreuxs Tale, the 9-year-old son of Tinkers Tale and out of a Corleone mare. They headed the sixty-one horse class with a combination of tight lines and a fast pace to win with 2.66 seconds to spare.
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Only six from a start-list of sixty-six reached the jump-off over a strong, technical track in the medium tour grand prix, but the jump-off was nonetheless hot. Jake Saywell proved the quickest with the consistently careful Touch of Chilli and the pair secured the title by 0.81 seconds. Jodie Hall-McAteer gave it a good shot but had to settle for second on the scopey Salt’N Peppa.
“He’s very competitive and wants to win as much as I do,” said Jake, on the Out of Touch x Diamond Chin 15-year-old ‘Chilli’.
Paul Barker lifted the medium tour speed in his usual speedy, attacking style with Jim Barry and Sovereign Equestrian’s Happy Boy. The pair maintained a relentless gallop to win with more than two seconds in hand over Faye Adams aboard Demograaf in a strong class of 81 starters.
Adrian Whiteway hit form with Anytime II after the Nathos R x Rubert R 14-year-old returned to competition after 12 months away. This was just their third show back and the pair outpaced all seventy-six rivals to take the medium tour 1.35m two-phase by three quarters of a second.
Max Routledge was at only his second show with new ride Ebriolita but the pair quickly established a partnership to take the small grand prix in fine style. Seventeen of the original seventy-three contended the jump-off with a late round from Max and the 10-year-old Ebriolita (Eldorado Van De Zeshoek x Concorde) securing the title by 1.91 seconds.
Charlie Dawson got the show off to a great start with victory in the opening small tour 1.30m on TJM Henry De Reve. Seventy-two contended this two-phase with Charlie and the Hermes De Reve 15-year-old flying ahead to take the win by 1.80 seconds.
Angie Thompson claimed victory in the small accumulator with Eleri Perry’s 9 year-old Fremont VDL, holding off the challenges of fifty competitors to win with 0.86 seconds to spare over speedster Paul Barker on Crispina Z.
Ronnie Jones topped the 25-strong small tour speed on the 10-year-old Hold Up Premier x White Clover mare Premier Diamond, a new ride of two months. They claimed the win by the narrow margin of 0.86 sec over Harry Bateman’s Zuniek VD Tojopehoeve Z.
Ronnie also claimed the win in the forty-three-strong silver tour accumulator with the Cevin Z x Billy Congo 8-year-old Billy Rhodes with more than seven seconds in hand.
Alice Watson clinched victory in the five-year-old grand prix with the small but perfectly-formed Cintrix Du Ruisseau in a fast, eighteen-strong jump-off.
“She maybe small but she has an incredible jump and doesn’t struggle with distances,” said Alice, on the Cinsey-sired mare bought in Devon from breeders Peggy and Jamie Douglas.
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Charlie Jones claimed the six-year-old grand prix title with Vins VD Tojopehoeve Z in a sixteen-horse decider, using the Vagant Z x Calvados 17.2hh gelding’s huge stride to win by 0.23 seconds.
“He’s a big, scopey horse and we really rate him,” said Charlie, who rides Vins for his uncle Nick Skelton and Laura Kraut.
Helen Rees raced ahead on the ultra-careful Bianca Du Rouet to take the six-year-old accumulator, the Statinus x Balou Du Rouet mare winning with 1.56 seconds in hand.
British-based Joao Charlesworth riding for Portugal claimed the 1* gold grand prix with the final round in a four-horse decider on Ian and Marina Domall’s Holly Blue I.
“She’s an unbelievable little trier, I want to say a big thank you to Ian and Marina for their support,” said Joao.
Perdita Digby jumped to the top in the initial fifty-one-entry gold 1.25m two-phase on the 10-year-old mare Woodlands Chilli Morning with 2.76 seconds to spare.
Charlotte Arnold triumphed in the gold accumulator with 2.50 seconds to spare on the 16-year-old Gibside Queen Bee against forty-nine rivals.
Georgina Round headed the twenty-five-horse gold speed class on Gusto, the Baltic VDL 8-year-old claiming 0.32 seconds in hand.
Jake Ward claimed his first International win with the 1* silver tour grand prix title on Comano Z with a 1.74 seconds advantage in a seventeen-horse jump-off.
“He’s easy, straightforward and gives me confidence,” said Jake on the 7-year-old bought off Adam Botham eight months ago.
Isabelle Ryder headed the initial fifty-five-horse silver tour 1.15m two-phase with the 12-year-old Coco Chanell by 0.42 seconds.
Ava Vernon triumphed in the silver 1.20m speed on the Nassau x Elton seven-year-old Here I’m B, holding off the challenges of 53 rivals to win by 0.91 seconds.
Holly Truelove landed the 148cm grand prix in a classic two-way decider with the stallion Rexter D’Or, going head-to-head with Red Morgan aboard Bodyssee Des Avelines.
The twenty-five starters were reduced to just two clears by a strong, technical track required for this trial for potential European Championship contenders.
Holly was drawn first in the jump-off with the 14-year-old stallion and set a competitive target with a flying gallop to the final fence.
“We know each other well and I trust him, I saw a stride and rode it,” said 15-year-old Holly.
Red Morgan set out in determined style but when a rail fell it was all over and put the 12-year-old mare Bodyssee Des Avelines into second.
Four riders left all the fences intact but came home on one time fault each – Lila Bremner particularly jumping a super round on Lapislazuli to finish just 0.02 seconds over the time allowed to take third place.
Youth Team manager Clare Whitaker was on site to assess the rider and pony combinations in the European Trials 148cm classes.
“Holly rode extremely well, I was pleased,” said Clare. “The courses were a good test although some of the riders along with the Children-on-Horses competitors struggled a little with the time allowed and we need to rectify this.”
Holly Cooper secured the top spot in the 148cm speed class on Valentino Supreme by 2.77 seconds over Elloise Smit on Newtown Samson.
“He’s only a 10 year-old but he has stepped up so well but he loves to jump,” said 15-year-old Holly, on her HOYS 2018 Foxhunter champion.
Tom Francis-Jones and 138cm Kiltormer Hero headed the initial thirty-strong two-phase class with almost two seconds to spare over Shaunie Greig with Casino Royale.
Tabitha Kyle excelled to take a victory double in the Children-on-Horses with the towering, rangy Grennanstown Sarco Luxhill, an Irish-bred 9-year-old borrowed from Holly Smith.
The pair claimed a convincing win in grand prix with the only clear in the first round after heading the previous day’s speed class with more than three seconds to spare.
“He’s better in a bigger ring and he’s so level and kind,” said Tabitha, who confidently steers the big gelding – “We daren’t put a measuring stick on him, he’s too big! I’m so grateful to owners Sue and Gordon Hall and Holly and Graham Smith for letting me ride him.”
Meredith Minderman and the 16-year-old Prize Mix won the initial twenty-three-horse two-phase class by almost four seconds.
Youth Team manager Clare Whitaker was impressed with Tabitha’s performance.
“Tabitha was outstanding. She is very well mounted but she still has to control such a big horse,” she said. “There is room for improvement with the rest but we are going in the right direction.”
Results
BIG TOUR
1.40m
1st Kerry Brennan & Wellington M – GBR – 0/0 36.52 seconds
2nd Alice Watson & Billy Lemon – GBR – 0/0 36.99 seconds
3rd Taylor Alexander & Ryanair De Riverland – USA – 38.92 seconds
1.40m TWO-PHASE
1st Mark Edwards & Montreuxs Tale – GBR – 0/0 32.92 seconds
2nd Jude Burgess & Comeback De Fremis – GBR – 0/0 35.58 seconds
3rd Lance Whitehouse & Bazento – GBR – 0/0 36.04 seconds
1.40m SPEED
1st Kerry Brennan & Wellington M – GBR – 0 60.16 seconds
2nd Paul Barker & Dalton W – GBR – 0 61.67 seconds
3rd Sian Edwards & Adriarna – GBR – 0 64.05 seconds
WORLD RANKING 1.45m GRAND PRIX
1st Taylor Alexander & Ryanair De Riverland – USA – 0/0 31.29 seconds
2nd Kerry Brennan & Wellington M – GBR – 0/0 33.00 seconds
3rd Richard Barton & Donata – GBR – 0/0 35.51 seconds
MEDIUM TOUR
1.35m
1st Adrian Whiteway & Anytime II – GBR – 0/0 32.98 seconds
2nd Jake Saywell & Touch Of Chilli – GBR – 0/0 33.73 seconds
3rd Keith Shore & Checkmate Z – GBR – 0/0 33.96 seconds
1.35m SPEED
1st Paul Barker & Happy Boy – GBR – 0 62.10 seconds
2nd Faye Adams & Demograaf – 0 64.15 seconds
3rd Charlene Bastone & Miami 19 – GBR – 0 65.64 seconds
ACCUMULATOR
1st Mark Edwards & Tinkers Tale – GBR – 65 points 48.64 seconds
2nd Charlene Bastone & Miami 19 – GBR – 65 points 48.72 seconds
3rd Joao Charlesworth & Hartleymanor Venus – 65 points 51.47 seconds
1.40m GRAND PRIX
1st Jake Saywell & Touch Of Chilli – GBR – 0/0 39.01 seconds
2nd Jodie Hall-McAteer & Salt’N Peppa – GBR – 0/0 39.82 seconds
3rd Joe Fernyhough & Calcourt Quicktime – GBR – 0/0 40.96 seconds
SMALL TOUR
1.30m
1st Charlie Dawson & TJM Henry De Reve – GBR – 0/0 32.12 seconds
2nd Georgina Burchmore-Eames & Wilandri E – GBR – 0/0 33.92 seconds
3rd Paul Barker & Crispina Z – GBR – 0/0 34.21 seconds
1.30m ACCUMULATOR
1st Angie Thompson & Fremont VDL – GBR – 65 points 52.03 seconds
2nd Paul Barker & Crispina Z – GBR – 65 points 52.89 seconds
3rd Nicole Lockhead Anderson & Kinsale Houdini – GBR – 65 points 53.34 seconds
1.30m SPEED
1st Ronnie Jones & Premier Diamond – 0 59.09 seconds
2nd Harry Bateman & Zuniek VD Tojopehoeve Z – GBR – 0 59.95 seconds
3rd Charlene Bastone & Fyberlinus H – GBR – 0 61.24 seconds
1.35m GRAND PRIX
1st Max Routledge & Ebriolita – GBR – 0/0 36.90 seconds
2nd Oliver Tuff & Esgracia – GBR – 0/0 38.81 seconds
3rd Adrian Whiteway & Anytime II – GBR – 0/0 39.11 seconds
YOUNG HORSE CSI1*
5-YEAR-OLD GRAND PRIX
1st Alice Watson & Cintrix Du Ruisseau – GBR – 0/0 40.78 seconds
2nd Helen Rees & Smirnoff AP Silvio – GBR – 0/0 42.42 seconds
3rd Michael Fursedonn & Cevins Pleasure – GBR – 0/0 42.82 seconds
6-YEAR-OLD ACCUMULATOR
1st Helen Rees & Bianca Du Rouet – GBR – 65 points 51.94 seconds
2nd Jude Burgess & Ivascalle – GBR – 65 points 53.50 seconds
3rd Michael Fursedonn & Ilserov – GBR – 65 points 55.37 seconds
6-YEAR-OLD GRAND PRIX
1st Charlie Jones & Vins VD Tojopehoeve Z – GBR – 0/0 37.12 seconds
2nd Adrian Whiteway & Chacco Volo – GBR – 0/0 37.35 seconds
3rd Ben Clark & Alanta – GBR – 0/0 39.77 seconds
GOLD TOUR
1.25m
1st Perdita Digby & Woodlands Chilli Morning – GBR – 0/0 36.95 seconds
2nd Emily Wilson & Harrijen Millford – GBR – 0/0 39.71 seconds
3rd Alice Watson & Fiasco TH – GBR – 0/0 40.06 seconds
ACCUMULATOR 1.25m
1st Charlotte Arnold & Gibside Queen Bee – GBR – 65 points 54.13 seconds
2nd Angie Thompson & Flint K – GBR – 65 points 56.63 seconds
3rd Joao Charlesworth & Holly Blue – GBR – 65 points 56.95 seconds
SPEED 1.25m
1st Georgian Round & Gusto – GBR – 0 59.08 seconds
2nd Georgia Cabb & Uragan – GBR – 0 59.40 seconds
3rd Emily Wilson & Harrijen Millford – GBR - 0 61.27 seconds
1.30m GRAND PRIX
1st Joao Charlesworth & Holly Blue – GBR 0/0 37.42 seconds
2nd Oliver Tuff & Eros III – GBR – 0/0 39. Seconds
3rd Oliver Fletcher & Hello William – GBR – 0/0 45.35 seconds
SILVER TOUR
1.15m
1st Isabelle Ryder & Coco Chanell – GBR – 0/0 33.86 seconds
2nd Arianna Kuligowski & Gimona – GBR – 0/0 34.28 seconds
3rd Ava Vernon & Here I Am B – GBR – 0/0 34.52 seconds
SPEED 1.20m
1st Ava Vernon & Here I’m B – GBR – 0 49.92 seconds
2nd Ronnie Jones & Billy Rhodes – GBR – 0 50.83 seconds
3rd Olivia March & The Bear Necessity – GBR – 0 52.82 seconds
ACCUMULATOR
1st Ronnie Jones & Billy Rhodes – GBR – 65 points 49.37 seconds
2nd Isabelle Ryder & Coco Chanell – GBR – 65 points 56.55 seconds
3rd Alice Watson & Fiasco TH – GBR – 65 points 56.86 seconds
1.25m GRAND PRIX
1st Jake Ward & Comano Z – GBR – 0/0 36.43 seconds
2nd Alice Watson & Fiasco TH – GBR – 0/0 38.17 seconds
3rd Taisie de Gruchy & Hoodshill First Look – 0/0 38.70 seconds
CHILDREN ON HORSES
1.25m
1st Meredith Minderman & Prize Mix – GBR – 0/0 34.93 seconds
2nd Eleanor Simpson & My Lucky Day – GBR – 0/0 38.66 seconds
3rd Jasmin Clark & Renkum J’Adore – GBR – 0/0 42.09 seconds
SPEED 1.25m
1st Tabitha Kyle & Grennanstown Sarco Luxhill – GBR – 0 60.15 seconds
2nd Aimee Jones & Zoverla – GBR – 0 63.47 seconds
3rd Eleanor Simpson & My Lucky Day – GBR – 0 64.65 seconds
GRAND PRIX
1st Tabitha Kyle & Grennanstown Sarco Luxhill – GBR – 0
2nd Meredith Minderman & Prize Mix – GBR –
3rd Alena Hughes & Rainbow – GBR –
148cm
1.30m
1st Tom Francis-Jones & Kiltormer Hero – GBR – 0/0 40.20 seconds
2nd Shaunie Greig & Casino Royale – GBR – 0/0 42.07 seconds
3rd Jake Myers & Razorlite II – GBR – 0/0 42.13 seconds
SPEED
1st Holly Cooper & Valentino Supreme – GBR – 0 62.81 seconds
2nd Elloise Smit & Newtown Samson – GBR – 0 65.58 seconds
3rd Cleo Loizzo & Banner Girl – GBR – 0 68.27 seconds
1.35m GRAND PRIX
1st Holly Truelove & Rexter D’Or – GBR – 0/0 39.45 seconds
2nd Red Morgan & Bodyssee Des Avelines – GBR – 0/4 42.04 seconds
3rd Lila Bremner & Lapislazuli – GBR 1 75.02 seconds
All images courtesy of British Showjumping
