British Showjumping National Championships – Wednesday, 7th August Roundup
Wednesday 07 August 2024
Another day of top-class equestrian sport is finished at the British Showjumping National Championships, where the best of the best come to claim their titles. Today saw almost 600 combinations vie for those coveted wins.
The Sytner Land Rover Coventry Championship Arena 1 saw the Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Championship crowned Stephanie Gunn and Quickstep I as our 2024 Champions. Read more about Stephanie's win here.
‘It’s always fast with her! She’s so careful and trustworthy…I can always trust her. Initially, there was only one clear before I went in…as soon as you let the handbrake off, she’s good to go. I’m so chuffed with her, the only thing she hasn’t won at this level is a National Championship, BlueChip and Welsh Masters, and she’s done the triple this year!’
While competition in the Unibed Championship Arena 2 was fierce, the coveted Horse of the Year Show International Wild Card Qualifier Incorporating The Sytner Land Rover Coventry National Speed Horse Final (Table C) title went to Ronnie Lee Jones and Kaleche. The combination produced a 64.75 second round to narrowly beat out Gemma Ellison on Helsinki VDL, who nipped at their heels on 65.23 seconds.
"She was early to go and did quite a few nice smooth turns, she’s won here before in the Big Star Championship, so she knows her way around. I’ve had her from a three-year-old, she’s won every national championship title, and this is another one we wanted to win."
We asked Ronnie what he sees in the future for Kaleche. "She’s been a great partner for me and hopefully we can keep on stepping up together. We’d love to do the International series at HOYS, and hopefully another Nations Cup before the end of the year."
The National 1.05m Championship, another new class for 2024, saw 223 combination vie to become the first Champion crowned. Fifty-nine horse and riders produced the clear needed to be in contention and the placings would be deicded by the clock.
Taking the win in the Grade III, Rachel Davis and ex-dressage mare, Benate (also known as Ruby) stormed the course.
'We had a bad morning and I made a mistake in the 1.00m Open, which was meant to be my practice run to give us confidence...I came in here not very optimistic and rode forward on every fence, and it paid off! We've come a long way.'
Grade II winners Laura Goodall and Intenable Du Forgeron produced a lovely round following her first ride on La Daisy, who had an unfortunate miss at the second-to-last fence.
Commenting on her game plan Laura said 'Stand up, and not to forget the 11th fence! She's owned by Susan Gill, she's done quite a bit. She's a Grade B, and she's a lovely girl.'
Sarah Steel and Topwood Teddy rode to victory in the Grade I, what started as a lockdown project has turned into Sarah's champion ride in 2024.
'I couldn't have asked him to do anything better, he gives his whole every time I ask. He's adapted himself very well because I have to ride slightly differently, because of my disability. He does a lot of commands, he's just awesome.'
Image: 1st Class Images
