ALLEN TAKES TOP SPOT IN AINTREE QUALIFIER
Tuesday 18 October 2016
Pippa Allen, member of the UK Sport National Lottery funded World Class Podium Potential Programme took the top spot on Saturday (15th October) in the second qualifier of the 2016 Dodson & Horrell and the World Class Programme Under 23 Championship series at Aintree Equestrian Centre.
In a class of 36 combinations, eleven horses went into the jump off and four pairs produced double clears but it was Allen who went quickest on board John McGeogh’s Hope Springs as they clocked a time of 33.97 seconds in the final round. Nicole Holmen took second place on board Cochella owned by Hennings & Reiner Detlef after finishing on 36.19 seconds whilst Graham Gillespie claimed third on board his mount Celine, finishing just under a tenth of a second behind on 36.27 seconds.
Following a very competitive class, Allen said: “I felt really good and I was really confident about my horse who I have been working with for the last eighteen months. The jump off really suited him as there were a lot of oxers and I could really trust his scope to jump them. He’s really quick against the clock and for a big horse he can turn like a little pony.”
Miles O’Donnell and Borsato (owned by, David Platt, Rosalind Platt, Claire O'Donnell & David O'Donnell) just missed out on a place in the top three after also posting a double clear as they stopped the clock in 37.74 seconds. Amy Inglas finished fifth with Everyway (owned by Belle Grey Farm); James Shore took sixth with Coriander Van’t Vennehof (owned by Jonna & Charlotta Sundblad) and Bryony Ward place seventh with Mill Hollow Clouding (owned by Miss E Hudson).
The next qualifier takes place this Saturday (22nd October) at the Bury Farm Equestrian Centre.
The Championship is supported by Dodson & Horrell who is Europe's leading equine feed manufacturer and a highly respected worldwide authority on animal nutrition and feeding. Dodson & Horrell’s involvement of the Under 23 British Championship demonstrates its history of support in equestrian sports across all levels, from sponsorship of the British Dressage Novice Championships, the British Showjumping Amateur & Veteran Championships and The Festival of British Eventing Novice Championship to title sponsorship of the iconic Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials. In addition, as official supplier of nutrition to Equestrian Team GBR, Dodson & Horrell played a pivotal advisory role in the lead up to the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The World Class Programme aims to provide Britain’s elite riders with the best preparation to represent Equestrian Team GBR on the international stage and is funded by National Lottery and Exchequer funds via UK Sport.
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