Max Routledge is off to HOYS with Tim Evans’ Ascadina PP Z in this week’s National round-up
Tuesday 18 July 2023
Max Routledge used his late round on Tim Evans’ Ascadina PP Z to secure the top spot in the Foxhunter Second Round and a place in the prestigious HOYS final at Arena UK’s popular Summer Second Rounds Show.
A total of 72 competitors tackled course-designer Neil Foster’s 12-fence track which started at a height of 1.30m. Fifty-one of them supplied round one clears to go forward into round two, these halved to 25 for a competitive jump-off.
Locally-based Jack Whitaker took an early lead on his father Michael’s Pelgrim K x Grandeur seven-year-old Partner In Crime II but Max smoothly used his advantageous late draw to ease Ascadina PP Z ahead, taking deceptively quick tight but seemingly unhurried turns. The 7-year-old Asca Z Ginus mare – produced by Max for three years from her British novice days – didn’t look like touching a pole with a big, scopey jump to win with only 0.14 sec in hand.
Jack claimed the other HOYS qualifying place on offer with the second place while Emily Ward missed out in third place on the home-bred Wild Star HF. Nine recorded treble clears to seize another chance to qualify for HOYS in the Foxhunter Masters at the British Showjumping National Championships, Stoneleigh, in August.
Jack also featured in the Newcomers Second Round to take another HOYS ticket, taking victory on the Rori 7-year-old BonnieIV, out of the Gemini XX daughter Finoporto – who competes with Jack and traces back to Michael Whitaker’s former top ride Portofino.
A big entry of 116 initially bid for the two HOYS passes on offer with 38 gaining first round clears. Round two reduced these to 12 for the final jump-off and it was all about the clock as five supplied treble clears.
Jack found the shortest route to win by 0.55 seconds. Newly crowned Cock o’ The North and back from a very successful Great Yorkshire show, Annabel Shields secured the second HOYS place with Julie Cass’s Obos Quality 004 x Lancelot 7-year-old Lapstan.
Henry Leggott book his HOYS place with Sannan Valley Sparkle
Henry Leggott captured the top spot of the HOYS 138cm with Sannan Valley Sparkle at The Daimler Foundation Morris Equestrian Centre, Scotland.
The 31 starters were reduced to nine over the 1.15m track and four posted double clears to access the final jump-off against the clock and take the four HOYS places on offer.
First off Henry set out in determined style and competently set a fast target on his father John’s 10-year-old mare Sparkle to book his winning HOYS ticket. Alfie Diaper used his final draw to record the only other treble clear on Go Fast D’Argan, more than five seconds behind Henry.
Nya Harriman chased hard and beat the winning time by over a second, but the first element of the penultimate double of verticals fell and dropped Astral Ruben to third. Raphaela Dawson also fell victim to the double and hit the final fence to finish on eight for fourth with Ardnacashel Little Dreamer.
Olivia Newington topped the HOYS 128cm with Victoria Lewington’s One In A Million VI with Lacie Williams claiming every other HOYS qualification on offer. Twenty-five competitors came forward over the 1.10m course with nine reaching round two and an eventual five claiming a place in the final jump-off, Lacie claiming three of the rides.
With four providing a treble clear, the qualifying places were duly filled, but it was all about the clock to decide the final order. Olivia was the quickest, but it was tight, edging ahead on the 11-year-old mare One In A Million VI by only 0.10 sec. Lacie claimed the next three places, taking second, third and fourth with Silver Nero, Just Ozzie and Wadacre Winnie The Pooh to gain her HOYS tickets in one fell swoop. Portia Taylor-Wilson supplied the fastest time of the class 2.32 sec quicker than the winner but a crucial rail fell to drop Uli Van Duyversputten to fifth.
Three round one clears from a start list of 19 were produced in the Pony Showjumper of the Year and the competitors opted to withdraw at this point and share equal first place – Millie Davies on Teachmor Joey, Hollie Gerken with Ramiro High Society and Ruby Barrs aboard Faith X. Ruby also produced the fastest four-fault round on Casper XXIII to take fourth place.
Jessica Rood enjoyed a bumper weekend to take two HOYS tickets. Jessica, who qualified for the HOYS Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Final the day before, topped the Pony Foxhunter Second Round on Dawn Rood’s Locarno 62 10-year-old Cherie Amour II. Seven of the original 25 starters provided initial clears with three posting double clears to qualify for the final jump-off but two opted to withdraw and share second place at this point.
It left Jessica to jump and take the win with Lucy Watson on Ohio Ross and Persia Calderbank aboard Drumaweel Ronan in second. Ella Kay was the fastest of the four-faulters in round two to finish fourth on Little Flexible.
Annabel Shields is crowned Cock o’ The North at the Great Yorkshire Show
Annabel Shields claimed one of the biggest wins of her career as she claimed the Great Yorkshire Show’s top-billed Ripon Select Foods’ Cock o’ The North with Creevagh Carisma.
“I achieved my childhood dream as we are officially Cock o’ The North champions, jumping three rounds at 1.60m. I’m so proud of my Carisma,” said Annabel, who hails from County Durham. “I watched this as a child and never thought I’d jump it, let alone win it!”
This iconic class, run over three rounds with its traditional double of walls as an integral feature of the course and standing at a height of 1.60m, is on the wish list of many riders, including top-flight showjumpers. Famous names such as Yorkshire’s own John Whitaker and 1970’s idols David Broome and Harvey Smith are amongst the list of previous winners. This year, dreams were realised for Annabel Shields as she added her name to the role of honour.
Twenty-two hopefuls started over the course set on the green turf in front of packed crowds who flocked to the main arena to watch the spectacular class. Seven riders posted initial clears to make their way into round two and just one was lost on the way as the final vertical toppled and faded Adrian Speight’s hopes on Millfield Baloney. It left six to battle it out in the jump-off – which included the formidable double of walls.
Drawn first, Annabel had to set a strong target for the following five riders. She did in style aboard Hamilton Horses’ 13-year-old Camiro De Haar Z daughter. Deceptively quick over the first two fences, Annabel quickened the pace, turned tight in the imposing double of walls, powering over the final oxer and through the finish. It was good enough; the pair earned the title with 2.31 seconds in hand.
Phillip Miller came the closest in the final draw, jumping clear on Brendon Stud’s Don Royale to take second place with Helen Tredwell riding Independence TN taking third. Joe Fernyhough supplied the only other double clear for fourth on Calcourt Particle.
Annabel enjoyed a bumper of a show at this, her favourite show of the year. Carnoneybridge Challenger stepped up to take the 28-strong Rudding Park Great Yorkshire Championship speed by 0.67 second. Annabel’s other win came in the entertaining Mini Major on Elgrando PS as she paired up with John Leggott to annihilate the opposition.
Image: Max Routledge and Ascadina PP Z. Credit - Equipics
.jpg "Laura Renwick Dominates in the Redpost Equestrian Senior Foxhunter Second Round at Felbridge Showground")
1xyrz0mr7xqg.jpg "More HOYS tickets secured at the South View Summer Pony Premier Show")