Sandy McLean lands the SEIB Winter Novice qualifier on new ride Jip B at Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre’s Winter Classic
Monday 04 November 2024
Sandy McLean confidently rode every tight line on new ride of one month Jip B to take victory in the SEIB WinterNovice qualifier at Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre’s Winter Classic in Cheshire.
“He’s the most fun little horse and so competitive and loves his job,” said Sandy.
A sizeable field of 73 faced lead course designer Shaun Sands and assistant course designer John Bedford’s 11-fence 1.10m track with 24 answering every question to make for a fast and furious jump-off as riders chased the two coveted Royal International finalist tickets on offer. But they were no match for Sandy on Matt Pike’s Eldorado Van De Zeshoek x Wolfgang 10-year-old and they flashed round in a blink-and-you-missed-it lightning-fast effort to win with almost three seconds in hand.
“I looked at the jump-off beforehand and there were a lot of really tight turns which I didn’t think most of the riders on their novice horses would do, but he is so eager, looking for the next fence before I do, so I was confident I could trust him to turn inside everywhere and I didn’t need to gallop,” said Sandy.
Hannah Tiley slipped the six-year-old mare Nilavska (Apardi x Zambesi), a ride of two months, into second to take the final Hickstead qualifying place on offer.
SEIB Winter Novice Qualifier
Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre Winter Classic – 2 November 2024
1st Sandy McLean & Jip B – 0/0 - 33.47
2nd Hannah Tiley & Nilavska – 0/0 - 36.37
3rd Imogen Rome & Millfield Cor Blimey – 0/0 - 37.50
NB Results pending final grading
Image: KT Equine Photography
SEIB Insurance Brokers provides specialist equestrian insurance throughout the UK and internationally. With over 50 years of experience, SEIB offers a range of equestrian insurance from horses to horseboxes, trailers, stables, cars, home, farriers and other specialist equestrian trades plus riding schools and livery yards. The SEIB Winter Novice Championship is a popular series made up of ten national qualifying rounds which are held ahead of the Championship Final, which will once again be run during the prestigious Longines Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead. For more details, visit hickstead.co.uk
 c. KT Equine Photography.jpg "Victory for Emily Ward and Wild Star HF in the Winter Grand Prix at Kelsall Hill Winter Classic")