Charlotte Ash lands Hickstead qualification with victory in the SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier at Kelsall Hill’s Cheval Liberte Winter Classic
Monday 13 January 2025
Charlotte Ash ended 2024 on a high as she was awarded the Ella Popely Mentorship Award for 2025 at the London International Horse Show. She quickly justified the award as she started 2025 with a win, heading the SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier at Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre’s Cheval Liberte Winter Classic on Nubata JX Scais.
“She’s not the biggest but she has the biggest heart and is so brave,” said Charlotte, who will return to the famous Hickstead arena after several years – “I haven’t jumped there since ponies, but I think she will love that big arena.”
Forty-three riders contended this Royal International Horse Show over course-designer Raf Suarez’s 12-fence, 15-effort 1.10m track, and almost half supplied initial clear rounds as 22 qualified for the jump-off. Charlotte and Graeme Ash’s seven-year-old Carrera VDL x Couleur Rubin mare had already show form earlier the week, winning the newcomers. It was a sign of what was to come, the pair skilfully executing the shortest route to win by 1.07 seconds.
“She’s amazing, so quick and adjustable, a pocket rocket. The course suited her with turn options and long runs so she could get her speed up,” said Charlotte, who has already taken advantage of her Ella Popely Award mentor Anthony Condon’s advice.
“I was so pleased to get Anthony as my mentor, he’s a great role model and, although I haven’t received any training yet, his given great technical jump-off tips, breaking the advice down and putting it into steps.”
The consistent Scottish-bred Nubata was acquired through a swap.
“We had her on a week’s trial and she had done very little. At her first show, we were caught in traffic and running late so we jumped her in the British Novice and she won it. She’s a very quick learner, the sweetest mare but naturally a little bit on edge and alert, she likes to know everything that’s going on but that is transferable to her job. She’s sharp and nimble and fit in any gap [in the jump-off],” added Charlotte.
Paul Sims guided the eight-year-old Blue Balia Z (Baltic VDL x Lord Chin) into second place to join the elite finalists at the Royal International Horse Show Championship Final, Hickstead.
Due to the cancellation of Bury Farm’s Winter Classic before Christmas, an extra qualifying place is added to each of the remaining Winter Classic legs in the series, this awarded to third-placed Josie O’Leary and the 11-year-old Tabilinsky VD Laarse Heidi Z (Tangelo VD Zuuthoeve x Chin Chin).
Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre Cheval Liberte Winter Classic
SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier – 11 January 2025
1st Charlotte Ash & Nubata JX Scais – 0/0 - 31.65
2nd Paul Sims & Blue Balia Z – 0/0 - 32.72
3rd Josie O’Leary & Tabilinsky VD Laarse Heidi Z – 0/0 - 33.75
NB Results pending final grading
Image: KT Equine Photography
.jpg "British Riders Get Off to a Flying Start in 2025 on the International Circuit")
rl59zuql2033.JPG "Winter Classic Qualifications Increased")
