British Showjumping National Championships – Sunday, 11th August Roundup
Sunday 11 August 2024
Sunday marks the final day of the British Showjumping National Championships, and what a week of sport it has been. To cap off the show, the sun came out in full force and the crowds gathered to enjoy some of the best junior showjumping that the country has to offer.
Jessica Brown and 26-year-old My Little Sweetheart took top podium in the Pony Silver League 128cm Final.
We asked Jessica how she felt going into the jump-off 'Nervous, but I trust her a lot so it was okay. We just kind of went for it!'
Jessica plans on simply enjoying her pony for the rest of the season, competing and participating at Pony Club.
The STX-UK Pony British Novice Championship Final had 100 combinations come forward to the Sytner Land Rover Coventry Championship Arena 1, 35 combinations going forward to the jump-off, with 20 double clears, every second counted, but in the end, it was Ruby Anna Birchenough on Miss Castielle who set the best time of 28.65 seconds.
‘It was my last class of the week, so I just went for it!’ Said Ruby.
‘It’s my last year on ponies so she’ll be going up for sale now. We bought her off Facebook unseen, and she’d only ever walked and trotted under saddle. She started cantering in November! She’s just such a quick learner.’
The Pony Silver League 138cm & Under Final over in the Unibed Championship Arena 2 was conquered by Phoebe Crossman, who clinched the top two podium positions respectively on ponies Acajou De Caux and Sparkling Mr Gucci.
‘I had a plan to win.’ Phoebe said with conviction.
‘My mind was set to win and nothing else. The boys made it happen.’
‘Coming down one of the lines, I rushed it a bit and had to “woah”…I got a bit deep but he really helped me. We just have an amazing bond’ said Phoebe about her jump-off with winning ride Acajou De Caux.
Following on, the Stepping Stones 128cm Championship Final saw some top-class young competitors take to the course. Victoria Neachell aboard Rushill Rosie took the win with just 0.26 seconds to spare over Charlotte Noys and Amners Hot Springs.
‘It was so fast! I thought she would struggle with the blue double, but she didn’t. I do lots of things with Rosie…she loves kisses’ said Rosie. Rosie is soon to be on her way to a new home, but Victoria’s aspirations will continue with her other ponies.
Sienna Palin took the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Masters Masters with Mikado Ven Den Dael , a full report can be found here.
The Stepping Stones 138cm Championship Final saw young Tiggi Lock aboard 19-year-old Ellies Miss Chief take the win as one of 7 who made it to the jump-off. The mare was previously ridden by older sister, Nellie.
We asked Tiggi what was running through her mind during the competitive final phase - ‘To keep my legs strong and make sure I keep my hands up!’
Image: 1st Class Images