Katie Bradburne Celebrates in Style at the Blue Chip Championships
Monday 17 April 2023
.jpg "Katie Bradburne Celebrates in Style at the Blue Chip Championships")
Katie Bradburne, who hit 15 just before this show, continued with her birthday celebrations by securing two Championship titles at the Blue Chip Championships held at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire.
Katie lifted the Blue Chip Sparkle Pro JC/JA Championship with Gee Bradburne’s Derryinver Rocky, an Irish-bred 10-year-old she took over from brother Thomas in January.
Fourteen of the 32 starters – six JCs pitted against eight JAs – overcame all the course-designer questions to access the jump-off. Lambourn, Berkshire-based Katie was double-handed, claiming two of the rides, both from the more experienced JA section. Hot on her Pony of the Year Show 95cm Final win with Woodland Prince II, Katie added another championship to her tally on first ride ‘Winnie’, easing ahead by 0.28 seconds.
“It was an amazing start to the show, Winnie answered every question and the track suited him with plenty of turns. He’s a proper gentleman, so sweet and kind,” said Katie. “I’m so lucky to have supportive owners and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season – the goal is HOYS [Horse of the Year Show].”
Katie left her final win until the concluding Bliss of London Pony Coral Winter Final. She registered a 1.25 second victory in a 12-pony decider with Claire Crossman’s Eros III 10-year-old Shovern Inca, another she took over the reins from Thomas at Christmas.
“’Inky’ made the show even better. He keeps on improving and there were long distances in the jump-off so I could really open him up. He loves to show off and has an ‘Everyone look at me’ attitude,” added Katie.
Sienna Palin lifted the Bliss of London Pony Sapphire Winter Championship with Kado D. It was all about the clock as 41 from the initial 69 competitors posted first round clears to qualify for the jump-off. Nantwich, Cheshire based Sienna, 15, took it on with a flying round on the Dutch-bred 7-year-old to post a 0.91 second winning advantage.
“We were a little apprehensive as this was his first championship show and it’s such a big atmosphere but he took it really well,” said Sienna’s mother Emma, who bought Kado from Clare Reynolds two years ago. “He’s quite a timid, spooky character and careful ponies can take longer to produce but we’ve built up his confidence slowly. I’m so proud how Sienna has progressed with him and this show is a great stepping stone for ponies aiming for HOYS.”
Orla Sweetnam maxed on her final draw to take the Eskadron Pony Discovery Championship with tight, daring lines on Brian Sweetnam’s Inisbri Honey Bee. The onus was on the clock as 32 of the 74 competitors accessed the jump-off but London-based Orla, 15, made short work of the twisting track to push the Irish-bred 7-year-old dun mare into a 0.90 second win.
“I was thrilled to reach the jump-off and didn’t expect to win, it was very fast and she hasn’t done many rounds against the clock,” said Orla, who planned the route with her father Brian. “I aimed to take out strides, keep as tight as I could and angled a fence to get a direct five strides to the next on a dog-leg line – and it came off.”
Ruby Birchenough emerged triumphant in the Pikeur Pony Novice Championship with Lucy Korszewski’s Alverley Honeysuckle Rose. The 79 starters were reduced to 23 for the jump-off with Ruby taking two ponies through. Buxton, Derbyshire-based Ruby, 14, came up trumps with the 10-year-old ‘Rose’, flying into the top spot to win by 0.30 seconds.
“It made her day to finish second in the warm-up class, to win the championship was amazing as we haven’t pushed her and concentrated on building her confidence,” said Lucy, who bought Rose two years ago. “She’d experienced in-hand showing at the Royal Welsh and then spent all her time on a dairy farm as a pet and a hack. She’s sometimes a little reluctant to go in the ring but once she’s in there she focuses on the job.”
Image courtesy Blue Chip Championships/Hoofprints
