Harriet Cutter from Cleveland Durham Academy is the latest NAF Shining Star
Wednesday 19 October 2022
.jpg "Harriet Cutter from Cleveland Durham Academy is the latest NAF Shining Star")
Harriet Cutter from Durham has been awarded with the NAF Shining Star accolade; a member of the British Showjumping Cleveland Durham Academy, she was nominated for the award by her coach, Christie Batty.
Harriet currently has three ponies: Storm, Pete, and Marmite. Storm, whose show name is Skenneerskeugh Tiny, is a 19 year old fell pony who she has loaned for over 5 years. Pete is a 5 year-old gelding who is very green but willing. Marmite is the newest addition to Harriet’s team and she hopes to start jumping bigger classes with him as she gets to know him more.
Commenting on Storm she said: “He is my super cob. He loves his job, but he loves food even more! He like to make noises with his mouth, to attract the attention of humans that might possibly have a snack to hand”
Following the news that she was the recipient of September’s NAF Shining Star award, Harriet said: “I was over the moon to find out I have been awarded the NAF Shining Star Award. I have been doing British Showjumping for a few of years now, so being recognised for my hard work makes me feel proud of myself and my super ponies. Thank you, Christie.”
This year, Harriet and Storm were selected as part of the Cleveland Durham Academy Team at the British Showjumping Nationals where they placed ninth in a big warm up class. They then jumped two double clears for the team.
Talking about her experience at the British Showjumping Academy Show, Harriet said: “I thoroughly enjoyed being part of team and I’m now aiming for 2023. The atmosphere at the Nationals was amazing”.
Harriet has also been taking Pete to the Academy Training Sessions to help him get ready for British Showjumping competitions. Although it has been hard work, she has found him very rewarding and is really looking forward to the future with this pony and hopes to get double clears at British Novice and Discovery level over the winter.
In half term, Harriet is really looking forward to heading to Spooktacular at Arena UK for four days of jumping. She hopes to jump some double clears on all her ponies and is looking forward to spending time with her friends.
Although Harriet noted: “I don’t think my Mam is looking forward to keeping three greys clean!”
Christie Batty, Coach of the Cleveland Durham Academy, said of Harriet: “She is a regular attendee of the Cleveland Durham Academy. She works hard with her ponies and is keen to work towards her NAF awards, always improving, developing, and learning.
“Harriet and her pony stepped up to put in impressive performances at the British Showjumping National Academy Show which is her biggest show to date. Her lovely attitude towards her pony and fellow team members was even more impressive than her consistent performances in the ring. She is a truly deserving rider for the NAF Shining Star Award”.
Explaining what she enjoys most about being part of the Cleveland Durham Academy, Harriet said: “From the moment we arrived at the British Showjumping Academy Training I was made to feel very welcome and loved the fact that there were lots of different activities to do. It was action packed and I learned so much including ways to improve my jumping. We even did a trot up like riders would do at the big shows. When anyone struggled with a new exercise, the coaches took time to explain and work through everything. This gave me confidence in preparation for the British Showjumping National Championships at Stoneleigh where our Coach Christie helped warm the team up and give us a few pointers before going in the ring.
“The British Showjumping Academy sessions are always fun and interesting. We do pole work, jumping exercises and have talks from officials. I love working through my NAF Five Star Awards books and my aim is compete in the NAF Five Star Style and Performance classes at Nationals in 2023. I have made some great friends and the coaches are fantastic”.
Lisa Field from NAF added: “Harriet is a dedicated young rider who is clearly devoted to improving both herself and her ponies through the British Showjumping Academy. It is wonderful to see her desire to learn all that she can from her coaches and how it is reflected in her confidence and successes at competitions. Well done Harriet on being awarded the NAF Shining Star for September, we can’t wait to see how you get on next”.
The NAF Shining Star Award was introduced when NAF became a British Showjumping Business Partner. The award is for members of a Junior Academy who have shown a great deal of commitment, progression, and outstanding behaviour along with their riding ability and much more. Riders are nominated by their lead coach, and then judged and awarded by NAF to one person each month.
For further information on NAF products click here or follow them on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates and rider stories.
Further information on the British Showjumping Academies can be found here: www.britishshowjumping.co.uk/training/Academies-1
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