Harland leads the way at the Junior National Club Championship Finals
Tuesday 06 August 2019
On day one of the British Showjumping National Championships 2019, the JS Teamwear Championship Arena 2 played host to the Junior National Club Championship Finals, across four height categories; 70cm, 80cm, 90cm and 1.00m.
Stockton based Brooke Harland, one of the youngest competitors at just 8 years old dominated the opening two classes with her pony, Farchynys Sienna, taking both the 70cm and 80cm National Club Junior Championship Finals. From the thirteen competitors forward in the 70cm Championship, six made it through to the jump off where Brooke rode an impressive double clear to take a strong win. Brooke was delighted to have taken the title at what is her first visit to the show: “I found the course very fun, but also quite challenging. I was trying to improve on my speed by concentrating on tight turns.” With a quick turnaround into her second class of the day, Brooke did the double and also took the title for the 80cm Championship Final, finishing just over 3 seconds ahead of her nearest rival. “In the second class, we had much more confidence and really enjoyed the course. This is our last class of the day, but I am looking forward to competing again later in the week.”
Having only competed in showing prior to this year, 2019 has seen a huge change for Brooke’s riding career. Gifted to Brooke last Christmas, Farchynys Sienna, otherwise known as Fudge, is providing her with her first season competing off the lead rein. Brooke’s father Paul commented “We are very proud of Brooke in winning her first two classes of the week, and it is a huge achievement for her as she has only competed off the lead rein since January this year.”
As the fence heights increased for the 90cm Championship and the wind picked up, the competition became more challenging with only five clears through to the jump off. Making the trip from Devon, Rebecca Norman riding Jane Norman’s Trevadlock Golden Pearl prevailed with an impressive time of 36.35s. Cheered on by her twenty strong supporters, Rebecca is a keen competitor with big ambitions for the future: “I absolutely love this pony. Although I always get last minute nerves in the collecting ring, she never fails to fill me with confidence during our rounds. I am hoping to work with her to compete up the ranks with the dream of one day competing at Horse of the Year Show.”
In the 1.00m Championship Final the glory was that of Hertfordshire based Caitlin Wornham riding Ballylee Boy, “I knew I just had to go for it to be in with a chance of winning as the other competitors were so fast. Usually Ballylee Boy can be quite strong, but today he was calm and focussed which really helped us to take first place.” Caitlin a keen Pony Club member will now focus her attentions to the forthcoming British Showjumping National Junior Academy Show with Ballylee Boy.
The British Showjumping Club Leagues provide Club Members with the opportunity to not only focus on heading their regional league table within their chosen height category, but to also qualify for their respective Championship with the goal of claiming one of the National Championship titles on offer at the British Showjumping National Championships. Club Membership is specifically for members riding horses and ponies competing between 70cm - 1.00m with a focus on league points rather than prize money.
Images credit - 1st Class Images
