Tabitha Kyle speeds to victory on day one of the British Showjumping National Championships
Tuesday 01 August 2023
Tabitha Kyle and the flying phenomenon that is Atomic Du Bary claimed another title to add to their tally in the National 148cm Championship on day one at the British Showjumping National Championships, Stoneleigh.
Thirty-three competitors set out over the 12-fence 1.30m track designed by Jason Abbs and Peter Allen with nine returning for the jump-off, the on-form Tabitha, 16, claiming two of the rides.
With a reputation as one of the speediest partnerships on the circuit, Tabitha and Su and Gordon Hall’s French-bred Frascator Mail 13-year-old didn’t disappoint. Setting off at an incredible pace, they maintained their gallop throughout to win by an amazing eight seconds. Millie Davies was the only other double clear for second place on Teachmor Joey.
“He is a little rocket pony and wins most classes. He hasn’t got the biggest stride but he’s always somehow the quickest, can spin back on turns and always tries his hardest,” said Tabitha, 16. “In the stable he is the sweetest thing, he’s so friendly with animals and humans; he just wants to be loved.”
Ellie Koscinska retained her Silver League 148cm Championship title with Ganty Wills Girl with a speedy round in a hard-fought jump-off.
“I wish I had longer in ponies or she would grow into a horse,” said Ellie, on her ‘Pony of a Lifetime’ she rides for Carole Jones. “She’s the best ever, so sweet and throws her heart over every fence – there is no pony out there with a bigger heart.”
The start-list of 35 was more than halved for a jump-off of 15 by the 12-fence 1.10m course. Ellie had the shortened and raised track sussed, forging ahead on the Irish-bred 12-year-old to win with more than two seconds to spare.
“We took the first fence at an angle, she’s very brave and can turn on a sixpence – she loves it as much as I do,” said Ellie.
‘Lily’, who joined Ellie two years ago, has had an easier season this year.
“I’ve concentrated on my GCSEs so we haven’t really done the pony premiers as that is when the exams hit but she’s come back as good as ever. She’s so versatile and the best is yet to come, she’s just coming into her prime and there’s plenty left in the tank,” said Ellie.
Deeleigh Ramsey used her penultimate draw to register her biggest win in the British Showjumping Pony National 1.15m Members Cup Final with Craughwell Boy.
Only six of the original 26 starters conjured up all the right answers over the 12-fence course with Emily Flockett setting an early target on Silver Scott. Deeleigh,15, of Uxbridge, Middlesex, immediately relegated them with a super-speedy on the Lissduff Rebel 16-year-old gelding to secure the title by 1.51 seconds.
“I had to kick on to make sure I caught [Emily] but he’s very quick across the ground,” said Deeleigh, who acquired Craughwell Boy two years ago. “We clicked straightaway. He’s feisty and fizzy but as soon as he’s in the ring, he knows his job and he’s so affectionate at home, he loves to be loved.”
Madeleine Waughman made her National Championships debut a winning one as she lifted the Bronze League 148cm and Under Final with Argentinium Silver. Fifty-seven competitors tackled course-designer Ben Townley’s 12-fence 95cm track with 21 returning clear rounds to promise a hot jump-off.
Winchester, Hampshire-based Madeleine, 15, who only has one pony, edged ahead by only 0.13 seconds on the piebald 15-year-old she teamed up with 12 months ago.
“We had a rocky start with a few faults but he’s got better and better and now showing his potential. He’s always been lowkey in showjumping but now he’s coming out in confidence – we’ve bonded and understand each other,” said Madeleine. “He’s quick and sharp but we were third to go so it was all or nothing. It was a flowing track but I kept it tight to set a target and it paid off.”
Evie Evans made short work of the Pony Restricted Rider 1m Final with Trevor H to score her biggest win.
The 47 starters were reduced to 17 for the jump-off, Evie, who is supported by I.C.E. Horseboxes, hitting top gear on the Timesquare x Corrado II 12-year-old Trevor to win with 0.53 seconds in hand.
“I got a great turn from the Andrews Bowen vertical inside to another vertical,” said Evie, 13, who teamed up with Trevor, her first 148cm pony, 10 months ago and building up a partnership with aims to move up the levels next year. “I’m just so happy and so proud of him!”
Darcie Nobles outpaced her 29 jump-off rivals to take the Bronze League 138cm Final on the diminutive 19-year-old 132cm mare Wainfelin Starlight. And Darcie did it in style, with 2.71 seconds to spare.
“I was undecided going into the ring whether I should take the tight turns but she didn’t touch a fence,” said Darcie.
Isla Brown, 10, from Bristol, Somerset, clinched victory in the Bronze League 128cm Final with Kilcranathan Princess. A mammoth 28 from a start-list of 53 tackled the jump-off but there was no catching Isla and the 15-year-old mare as they galloped into the top spot by 0.20 seconds.
“She really took control of the round and was a bit quick down the long side, I didn’t think we’d make the turn,” said Darcie, after recording her first big win. “We’ve only just moved up to 80/90cm so I’m very happy.”
Image: Tabitha Kyle & Atomic Du Bary Credit: 1st Class Images
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