Fairfax Saddles Continue Support of British Showjumping Winter JA Classic Championship
Monday 13 January 2014
British Showjumping is delighted to announce that Fairfax Saddles will be extending their sponsorship of the British Showjumping Winter JA Classic Championship into 2014. This announcement marks Fairfax Saddles’ second year of support of this popular series, which culminates with a Championship Final during the summer. The Championship Final will be held at the Charles Stanley British Masters 3* International Horse Show (3rd – 6th July 2014).
The Winter JA Classic Championship is for Grade JA ponies ridden by Pony or Pony Associate Members. This competition provides riders and ponies with the opportunity to gain experience during the winter ahead of the viewing trials that are held in the summer.
The lucky winner of the Fairfax Winter JA Classic Championship will be presented with a Fairfax Jump saddle, as used by top international showjumper, Peter Charles.
Last year, following on from the success of the Fairfax Performance girth (which was kept secret to give a competitive advantage to Team GBR), Vanessa Fairfax, Director of Fairfax Saddles, focused on creating a showjumping saddle to improve the horse’s performance. The new Fairfax Jump saddle was developed and tested using the same pressure mapping and gait analysis technology. It incorporates a patented two-part panel design, which gives the horse’s shoulder greater freedom of movement, allowing the horse to move more naturally and flex both shoulder and knee joints freely. Trials have shown that this makes the horse neater in front giving at least 5cm more fence clearance.
With a background in International showjumping and having ridden in the Winter JA Classic Championship herself as a pony rider, Vanessa understands the needs of the professional rider. Fairfax’s showjumping saddles are designed by professionals for professionals and the team behind these saddles have a background in international competition and saddle design together with two decades of English saddle-making experience.
Commenting on the announcement, Vanessa said “We had a great year in 2013 supporting JA jumping and we are looking forward to helping more pony riders improve their performance this year. We'll be attending various shows throughout the year, offering riders the opportunity to feel the improvement in their ponies' jump by trying Fairfax saddles and girths for themselves.”
Maria Clayton, Head of Communications at British Showjumping said, “It’s fantastic to have Fairfax Saddles aligned with such a prestigious series in the Pony Calendar. This series assists in identifying the showjumpers of the future and Fairfax Saddles’ commitment to producing saddles and girths with the performance of both horse and rider in mind ensures that this alignment is a perfect fit.”
Competitors will have ten opportunities to qualify for the Winter JA Classic Championship and up to 30 combinations will go forward to the Championship Final. The qualifying classes are as follows:
South View Competition & Training Centre - 4th & 5th January 2014
Hand Equestrian Centre - 18th & 19th January 2014
Morris Equestrian Centre - 1st & 2nd February 2014
Arena UK - 1st & 2nd March 2014
Bury Farm Equestrian Centre - 15th & 16th March 2014
Fairfax Saddles Ltd:
Fairfax’s primary aim is to improve the performance of the competition horse. All the saddles and girths are developed using the most advanced technology and are tested extensively. All research and design work is carried out under the direction of Vanessa Fairfax, an ex-International showjumper and University qualified designer. The company is based in Walsall and manufactures all its own products. For further information please contact Ben Roberts on 01922 711676 or Ben.Roberts@Fairfaxsaddles.com.
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