Joe Trunkfield takes the SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier by storm with the top two places at Aintree International Equestrian Centre’s AW Jenkinson Winter Classic
Monday 07 October 2024
Joe Trunkfield was a force to be reckoned with at the AW Jenkinson Winter Classic at Aintree International Equestrian Centre, Liverpool, claiming the top two places in the SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier with Billy Ruble and Corvette VH Reukenis Z. The amazing result secured two coveted places at the 2025 Royal International Horse Show Final at Hickstead.
Forty-eight competitors came forward over the 1.10m track but just 15 mastered the 12-fences to access the jump-off. Joe claimed an early lead on the big-striding seven-year-old Corvette VH Reukenis Z (Cicero Z x Corland) and was still on top when he entered the ring with Billy Ruble. Small but mighty, the seven-year-old Comiflo Plus Z x Kannan mare rose to the occasion, answering every tight turn call to take 0.29 seconds off Joe’s original time.
“She’s little belter! I remember her in the Billy Stud Auction as a four-year-old when Ava Vernon bought her and, as Ava’s been so busy abroad, I bought her a couple of months ago,” said Joe. “She’s green for her age but really game and ridiculously careful, jumped three classes at Aintree and won them all. She’s learning on the job but loves it, goes in a snaffle and I can trust her to go forward to the fences – she wants to miss every rail.”
Joe first competed Corvette as a six-year-old and got the ride back from John Steels just 10 days earlier.
“The two horses are like chalk and cheese, Corvette probably took 4 or 5 strides less around the course, but she [Billy Ruble] is a lot nippier based on size difference and her way of going. It’s lovely to have Corvette back after campaigning him as a six-year-old at Lanaken [World Breeding Championships]. He’s one I’ve missed in the yard and I’ve a few aims for him in the pipeline,” added Joe. “I think they both have a shot in the final – and the same result would be fantastic!”
SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier
Aintree International Equestrian Centre Winter Classic – 6 October 2024
1st - Joe Trunkfield & Billy Ruble – 0/0 37.31
2nd - Joe Trunkfield & Corvette VH Reukenis z – 0/0 37.60
3rd - Carmen Edwards & My Granta – 0/0 40.11
NB Results pending final grading
Image: Majestic Photogrpahy
SEIB Insurance Brokers provides specialist equestrian insurance throughout the UK and internationally. With over 50 years of experience, SEIB offers a range of equestrian insurance from horses to horseboxes, trailers, stables, cars, home, farriers and other specialist equestrian trades plus riding schools and livery yards. The SEIB Winter Novice Championship is a popular series made up of ten national qualifying rounds which are held ahead of the Championship Final, which will once again be run during the prestigious Longines Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead. For more details, visit hickstead.co.uk
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