Scarlett Ward Kicks on to Glory with Mareno Z in the Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Second Round at Dean Valley
Monday 29 April 2024
Sunday, 28th April saw Dean Valley play host to the second Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Second Round competition of 2024, and with it comes qualification for the Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Championship Final at the British Showjumping National Championships.
Open to all horses who have qualified by jumping double clear in at least four Nupafeed Supplements Discovery Championship First Round competitions since 1 May 2023, this second round competition allows riders to get a step closer to being crowned our 2024 Champion, and seizing the opportunity with both hands was Scarlett Ward and Peter Ward’s Mareno Z.
Having successfully navigated the first two rounds of the competition clear, Mareno Z, piloted by Scarlett Ward, clocked the fastest time of the day, flying over the finish line in 37.01 seconds, an impressive 4.62 seconds faster than than second place. Whilst they are clearly no strangers to speed in the ring, Ward has taken her time in getting Mareno Z to this point, explaining: “We have gone really slowly with him. He’s a big horse, who is very sensitive, which will be a good thing in the end but he has taken a bit of moulding. I bought him as a four-year-old from the breeder, now six, he only started in the ring in October. This is the first class he has won; he now seems to really understand what we want, and every time he goes in the ring he is improving, which is really nice for a young horse.
Reflecting on her round, Ward said “He felt good going into the jump off, he seemed to get better with each round. It’s not often you jump three rounds, but it’s proved to be a good thing for him. We’re now going to look to Newcomers and Foxhunter competitions”.
On her thoughts going into the jump off Scarlett said: “We set off to fence one in hunting mode and he seemed to really like that, so I thought I’m not going to pull him back now!”
A further six combinations finished the class on triple clears, with Sinead Cox clocking a time fast enough to seal second place aboard Valerie Cox’s 7-year-old Rose VD Donkhoeve.
2024 marks the ninth year of Nupafeed Supplement’s unwavering support for the Senior Discovery Championships. Providing unique, highly targeted nutritional supplements for your horse, their expert and friendly team are always on hand for advice. Visit Nupafeed.co.uk to find out more.
Dean Valley Equestrian Centre – Sunday 28 April, 2024
Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Championship Second Round
1st – Scarlett Ward & Mareno Z 0/0/ 37.01
2nd – Sinead Cox & Rose VD Donkhoeve 0/0/0 41.63
3rd – Katie Benbow & Latico 0/0/0 43.08
NB: Results pending official grading.
Image: KT Equine Photography
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