A polished performance earns Elle Godber victory in the SEIB winter Novice Championship Qualifier at Arena UK’s Winter Classic
Monday 02 December 2024
Elle Godber rode smooth, seemingly unhurried lines to take victory in the SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier at Arena UK’s Winter Classic on Montreal H.
“He’s so special, I’ve always believed in him. It all came together today. If I could make a horse from scratch, it would be him and I believe he’ll go on to bigger and better things,” said Elle, who ticks another item on her bucket list making her debut in the Hickstead international arena next year – “I’ve competed at Hickstead before, but never in the main ring.”
Fifty-nine competitors chased the two coveted Royal International Horse Show passes on offer over course-designer Mark McGowan’s 11-fence, 14-effort 1.10m track with 24 achieving their initial clear round goal to move into the jump-off.
Clears proved harder to come by second time out as riders pursued the clock with vigour and rails inevitably fell, only seven riders supplying a clean sheet. The lead changed several times with Ella Popely claiming an albeit brief lead on the seven-year-old mare Cadence VD Donkhoeve Z (Calato Z x Presley Boy).
Three horses later, Elle secured the win in the latter stages with a deceptively quick round on Montreal H, smoothly cutting the corners at a seemingly relaxed leisurely pace that was nonetheless effective, edging ahead into the top spot by 0.09 seconds.
“He has so much canter and if I lean or look one way, he turns, it’s almost too easy for him at this height, but when I jumped indoors here last time, he didn’t seem to like it. I’ve put a lot of work into him, changed his tack from a double bridle to a combination and competed him in several classes this week to relax him and prepare for this qualifier – it paid off,” said Elle. “I’m still shocked we won, I’ve hardly asked him any questions against the clock and this is such a fast class, but we had our plan and [husband] Louis said, ‘Don’t worry about the turns, gallop to the last and trust him’ – it worked.”
The win, however, was tinged with sadness as Elle lost her father-in-law Kirk five weeks ago – “We were so close, he was such a great help to us and he’d have been thrilled to see Montreal qualify for Hickstead – he believed in him,” said Elle.
Ella and Cadence VD Donkhoeve Z held onto second place to take the final Hickstead finalist place with Daniella Johnston just missing out in third riding Renkum Shelby.
The Zirocco Blue x Montender seven-year-old Montreal H – bred by Jasmin Head of Highnam Court Equestrian – was purchased by Elle and Louis as a four-year-old from Max Swanne.
“He was the first horse Jasmin bred out of her good mare Ma Cherie Z, but he grew too big for her – he’s now 17.1hh – so we’ve produced him slowly as he’s so big,” said Elle, who is based in Nottinghamshire and has a good and fast-growing reputation for breaking and producing young horses alongside Louis.
Although beautifully bred with showjumping bloodlines, Montreal H has proved challenging at times and competed very lightly as a six-year-old as Elle and Louis got married and the now nine-month-old Tommy arrived.
“He [Montreal] is quite a character, loving and soft with the kids, but can be grumpy in the stable. When he’s ridden, he’s sharp, keen, brave and loves to jump but is still green and occasionally spooky,” said Elle. “He’s still the best I’ve ever sat on, I feel I can do anything even though he gets so excited and bucks with exuberance. I do have to keep a lid on him, but I think he’ll come into his own at Hickstead.”
SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier
Arena UK Winter Classic – 1 December 2024
1st Elle Godber & Montreal H – 0/0 - 38.91
2nd Ella Popely & Cadence VD Donkhoeve Z – 0/0 - 39.00
3rd Daniella Johnston & Renkum Shelby – 0/0 - 39.67
NB Results pending final grading
Image: ATG 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. For more details, visit hickstead.co.uk
