Charley Hamilton & Innishannon Red Squirrel win the Equissage Pulse Senior British Novice Championship
Wednesday 07 October 2020
The first national title being contested at the British Showjumping Indoor Championships at Aintree Equestrian Centre was a hard fought one. Just over half of the forty strong opening field came forward for the jump off having jumped clear in the first round of the Equissage Pulse Senior British Novice Championship.
The jump-off course, designed by Mark McGowan, took in a number of twists and turns before a final stretch to the last giving riders the opportunity to push forward and cut out a stride if they wanted to. An early lead was taken by Mollie Smith from Somerset and her own Church Park Elite, a 6 year-old dark bay mare, and this saw them set the standard for others to beat when they stopped the clock in 35.28 seconds.
It must have been a nail biting time for Mollie, as she watched competitors keep coming forward and just not able to catch her as a result of keep falling short of the time she had set. It had looked like she was set to secure the title until nearing the end Charley Hamilton from Aberdeen entered the arena with Sarah Hamilton’s 7 year-old chestnut mare Innishannon Red Squirrel.
An incredibly fast clear with a final gallop to the last, the Jockey Club vertical, saw Charley break the finish line in 34.33 seconds to push ahead of Mollie and claim the lead as her own. The remaining seven riders to come forward weren’t able to touch them despite a few more clears being achieved.
Talking after the presentation Charley said “I’m so pleased with her [Innishannon Red Squirrel], I have had her since last summer and she hadn’t even cantered over a pole when I started with her. She really tries and comes to life in the arena whenever you take her out.”
On her winning time she said “I knew Mollie had been fast, but I also knew that Innishannon can be quick on the ground so I just went for it and galloped to the last. I was surprised when the commentator announced I had broken Mollie’s time to take the lead as so many others had been struggling to come close - but I also couldn’t have been more delighted!”
About the show and their plans for the future Charley added “She’s already got her double clears for discovery and newcomers next year and I’m mainly focussing on the newcomer second rounds now. With regards to the show here today I am just so grateful to the team at Aintree and British Showjumping for getting behind the show and making it happen. It’s my first visit here and it’s an amazing venue. Everyone has been so welcoming and friendly and despite it being behind closed doors they have really made it feel like a major show. Also with so many watching the livestream you do really feel like you’re at a major championships and I can’t thank everyone enough for allowing it to happen.”
RESULTS:
1st Charley Hamilton & Innishannon Red Squirrel - 0/0 - 34.33 seconds
2nd Mollie Smith & Church Park Elite - 0/0 - 35.28 seconds
3rd Aileen Craig & Validate - 0/0 - 35.67 seconds
4th Emma Jo Slater & Happy Feet III - 0/0 - 35.75 seconds
5th Pippa Taylor & Tequila Sunrise III - 0/0 - 36.09 seconds
6th Richard Nichol & Apricor Amishca - 0/0 - 36.50 seconds
Image courtesy of Majestic Photography.
Equissage Pulse:
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