Welsh Masters 2021
Monday 20 September 2021
1.jpg "Welsh Masters 2021")
The Welsh Masters 2021 at the David Broome Event Centre in Chepstow centred on four days of competitive sport. It became the Mark Edwards show as the consistent, speedy Welshman claimed three titles, including the feature Equestrian Services 1.40m Grand Prix with his home-bred Montreuxs Tale.
“It’s our local show and I’ve always wanted to win this and it made it all the more special to be presented with the Liz Edgar Memorial Trophy, we worked closely with Liz over the years with various horses,” said Mark, who won all three championships entered.
Thirty-six competitors came forward over a cleverly designed track by Raf Suarez with twelve finding all the right answers to return to the jump-off, Anna Power claiming two of the rides.
“The course was quite a stiff test with the combination going away from the in gate and a relatively tight time – you respected the track and had to keep an eye on the time,” assessed Mark.
But Mark found the shortest route on the Tinkers Tale sired 11-year-old Montreuxs Tale to win with 0.52 seconds in hand over Anna on Blazer B.
He’s so consistent and always trying for you. I turned to the last and was a long way off but I trusted him to jump,” added Mark.
Mark landed his third consecutive Fletcher Sporthorses Gents title with Marlene Edwards’ Flying Tinker II – a 10-year-old by Tinkers Tale and bred by Mark. Only six of the thirty starters provided first round clears to contend the jump-off, Mark securing the win by more than two seconds.
“He is the most careful horse, a real little winner and it was lovely for Marlene to be able to watch on livestream,” said Mark.
Mark’s third title came in the Hazelden Saddlery 6-year-old final with the British-bred Dillinger NE – a Diarado x Carsimo gelding owned jointly with breeders Ros and Denis Palmer.
“He has the size, scope and technique, we think a lot of him,” said Mark, who headed a 17-strong jump-off with 0.81 seconds to spare.
Jessica Botham claimed a hotly contended Fletchers Sporthorses Ladies title with the incredibly quick Karaibes. The pair had previous form at this venue, winning the Chepstow International small 1.35m grand prix three weeks earlier. Another win didn’t look in doubt as they scythed corners and angled fences in the 10-horse decider at a pace that wouldn’t be out of place in the Grand National, winning by a clear two seconds.
“It’s a title I’ve always wanted to win. She’s my real-life unicorn and gives 100% every time, I’ve never gone so fast to a set of planks but she loves fast and it makes my job easier,” said Jessica, who purchased the Kannan x Acord II mare – out of William Whitaker’s Mechelen 2007 world cup winner Arielle II – from Marie Edgar six months ago.
Younger horses dominated the 7 and 8-year-old final with Seamus Taylor leading the way on Fifty Shades of Grey. Six of the original twenty-three combinations qualified for the jump-off – three 7-year-olds pitted against three 8-year-olds – but the 7-year-olds gained the upper hand with the top three places. Seamus claimed the win on the British-bred gelding he has competed since July with a 5.51 seconds advantage over Emily Rowe with the only other double clear aboard Mr Thunder.
Kate Ellison emerged triumphant in an eight-strong jump-off brimming with talent to take the Welsh Masters 5-year-old final on Blue Twist. Forty-two competitors initially started in this three-round class with twenty-two jumping first round clears to go forward to round two and an eventual eight qualifying for the timed decider. Kate found the shortest route on the British-bred mare to win by 3.33 seconds over Chris Smith and Heartbeat Z.
Chloe Reynolds was crowned 1.25m Welsh Master at her first show with Catoo Van De Helle Z. Nine of the twenty-nine competitors qualified for the jump-off with Chloe forging ahead on the Contini VD Helle Z X Quinar Z 9-year-old mare to win with 2.80 seconds to spare over Helen Rees and Bianca Du Rouet.
A flying round from Courtney Young on Islandwood Roxy Ella landed the NAF 1.20m championship. Thirteen of the forty-five starters tackled the jump-off with Courtney and the Irish-bred 10-year-old commanding a 4.79 seconds victory.
Ellise Souter outpaced her twenty-five jump-off rivals take the Bailey Farm Equestrian 1.15m final by 0.72 seconds on Givenchy II, the 10-year-old Vingino x Topas mare she has competed since December.
Chloe Mariani seized victory in the Keith Price Garages 1.10m final by 0.63 sec in a competitive 25-horse decider on her Primitive Rising 19-year-old partner of eight years, Dumbleton.
Jasmine Punter claimed the rug, sash and the honours in the Deebees Rosettes 1.05m title by 0.96 sec in a nail-biting 30-strong jump-off with Clio V, her Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Pachat II 19-year-old campaigner of 10 years.
