Will Edwards claims his place at the London International Horse Show with victory on Candies B in the Under 25 British Championship Qualifier at Aintree International Equestrian Centre’s AW Jenkinson Winter Classic
Tuesday 08 October 2024
Will Edwards made every stride count as he lifted the top spot in the Under 25 British Championship Qualifier to claim his place at the prestigious London International Horse Show Final with Candies B.
It will be Will’s third time in this Final: “I’ve competed once at Olympia and once at the Excel Arena; we qualified last time through Nations Cup appearances, this was our first qualifier this year and it was good to win one,” said Will.
Forty-one competitors tackled the 1.40m course set with only six answering every question to gain access to the jump-off. Will found the fastest route on the 14-year-old mare Candies B (Chacco Blue x Heartbreaker) to win by 2.59 seconds.
The course suited us, but it was strong, tough and technical – those that jumped clear deserved to be in the jump-off,” said Will, who was one of only two who attempted the tight inside turn to the double – “It was very tight but saved a lot of time, and the two of us that pulled it off finished first and second.”
Candies B has been with the Edwards family at their Shropshire base since a three-year-old, with Will the main rider, although brother Carmen occasionally took the ride in the early years. Will has built a rapport with this mare, jumping up to five-star level.
“She’s gone well this year and continued her form here indoors. She’s full of energy and is quite hot and forward, I just need to contain her. She’s possibly a little better outdoors where she can use the space, but as hopefully as she’s got older, she’s become more sensible,” said Will, who now heads to Horse of the Year Show ‘[HOYS] where they will contend the international classes.
Fergal Holohan clinched second place on the nine-year-old mare Karima II (Opium x Padinus) with Jessica Hewitt claiming the third and final qualifying place aboard the 12-year-old Arbitrage (Vitaal G x Rufus Z).
Under 25 British Championship Qualifier
Aintree International Equestrian Centre Winter Classic – 5 October 2024
1st Will Edwards & Candies B – 0/0 - 33.42
2nd Fergal Holohan & Karima II – 0/0 - 36.01
3rd Jessica Hewitt & Arbitrage – 0/0 - 36.69
NB Results pending final grading
Image: Majestic Photogrpahy
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