Lucy Gilbertson is crowned NAF Five Star Silver League Champion at Horse of the Year Show
Wednesday 04 October 2023
.jpg "Lucy Gilbertson is crowned NAF Five Star Silver League Champion at Horse of the Year Show")
Lucy Gilbertson trended at Horse of the Year Show with victory on Hip Girl in the NAF Five Star Silver League Final to land her biggest win.
Only three of the original 14 competitors posted clear rounds over the 1.20m course to access the jump-off, Lucy, 17, coping with any nerves to come up with the goods.
“I first competed here in 2019 in the 138cm Final with my pony Airbourne Freddie but I was very nervous. This time around it was easier, I was less nervous; now I’m older, I can manage my nerves better,” said Lucy.
Tactics changed when the first rider in the jump-off, Holly Johnstone on Carquois De Ceve, set an incredibly fast target but hit the front rail of the final fence.
“I knew I had to leave the fences up to win,” said Lucy, who was still aware there was one more rider to follow and negotiated the inside turns smoothly but without undue risk to take the lead albeit more than two seconds in arrears.
It was just a matter of a nail-biting couple of minutes to learn if she done enough. The final rider jumped clear but Dee Kennedy and Don Luxury stopped the clock 1.49 seconds behind Lucy to drop into second place.
Welwyn Garden City, Herts-based Lucy acquired the ride on the Hip Hop x Carthago 15-year-old mare eight months ago following a recommendation from her coach Amanda Petts.
“Amanda found her in Ireland as a schoolmistress to help me learn to ride horses and make the transition from ponies and we gelled quite quickly,” said Lucy, who has trained with Amanda since she was aged six and trains at home with former international showjumper Annette Lewis.
“Amanda and her mum Julie are with me at all the shows and Julie gave me tips for the jump-off today and Hip Girl knows exactly what she’s doing and she’s sensible,” added Lucy, who hopes to step up a level to the gold league in 2024 and also thanked Dad Stephen for being “groom, driver and backer.”
HOYS, NEC, Birmingham – Wednesday, 4 October, 2023
NAF Five Star Silver League Final
1st Lucy Gilbertson & Hip Girl – 0/0 - 33.58 seconds
2nd Dee Kennedy & Don Luxury – 0/0 - 35.07 seconds
3rd Holly Johnstone & Carquois De Ceve – 0/4 - 31.25 seconds
Image: 1st Class Images
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