Ronnie Lee Jones claims victory in the SEIB Winter Novice qualifier at Hartpury University with catch-ride Iron Bru
Saturday 23 December 2023
Ronnie Lee Jones quickly established a rapport with catch-ride Iron Bru to take the SEIB Winter Novice qualifier at Hartpury University’s Winter Classic in Gloucestershire.
“I met him for the first time on the morning of the class but he was super-easy,” said Ronnie, on Lynsey Register’s Dutch Design x Lewito 10-year-old.
Twenty of the original 46 starters posted initial clears over course-designers Krissy Spiller and Paul Connor’s 12-fence track, which started at a height of 1.10m. Ronnie drew a favourable late draw and used his penultimate effort and Iron Bru’s scopey stride and carefulness to commandingly forge ahead by 1.32 seconds.
“Lynsey bought him for herself and Angie Thompson to ride but, as Angie was attending a funeral that day, the horse only has a few points left to jump in the class and they wanted a crack at the final, I received a phone call the night before asking if I’d take on a catch-ride,” explained Ronnie. “Angie knows him well and she sent a message exactly how to ride him, so I just followed instructions and stuck to the plan.”
Charlie Atkinson claimed the second qualifying place on the 10-year-old mare Ballingowan Leia (Future Trend x Master Imp) to confirm his place in the Royal International final.
Hartpury Winter Classic – 22 December
SEIB Winter Novice qualifier
1st Ronnie Lee Jones & Iron Bru – 0/0 - 37.00 seconds
2nd Charlie Atkinson & Ballingowan Leia – 0/0 - 38.32 seconds
3rd Laura Jackson & Pria Blue PS – 0/0 - 39.79 seconds
NB: Results pending official grading.
Image: courtesy Jasmine Punter Photography
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 (24 - 18 July 2024). For more details, visit hickstead.co.uk
