Zara Nicholls Races to Top Spot in the STX-UK Pony British Novice Second Round at Weston Lawns
Thursday 08 May 2025
1inbbkeu36fgo.jpg "Zara Nicholls Races to Top Spot in the STX-UK Pony British Novice Second Round at Weston Lawns")
This bank holiday weekend saw another STX-UK Pony British Novice Second Round competition take place, held at Weston Lawns, where combinations contended to qualify for the final at the British Showjumping National Championships.
Thirty-six hopefuls came forward to tackle the course which proved a real test as six secured the double-clear needed to take on the final jump-off. With everything to ride for, three ponies finished with a clean sheet. Among them, it was Zara Nicholls who used tight turns to her advantage and pipped the competition to take the win in 31.47 seconds with Georgina Nicholls and Sarah Eglise’s five-year-old Coloured Candy.
Jodie Tyson rode Phillip Tyson’s Lady Skipper in second place whilst third place went the way of Zea Adams and Amanda Freeman’s Jalapena De Ashwey Z, just 0.48 seconds off the pace.
Commenting on her win, Zara said: “He did really well. I wasn’t expecting much as he’s only young and there were a lot of fast double clears before me. Just before I went in Mum told me to go ‘nice and steady and go wide’, but I just went in and went for it. He’s really careful so I knew he could do it.”
“We’ve not yet pressed the buttons on him as he’s a nice pony and we want to look after him,” added Zara’s mum, Georgina. “I didn’t think he had three rounds in him, but he was jumping well. He’s a bit of a character and is not very forward just yet but is he’s an exciting one for the future.”
“He’s such a lovely pony. I have produced him from a three-year-old with help from my sister as he was a bit difficult at the start, but he’s turned a corner recently," remarked Zara. "I’m looking forward to taking him to Nationals, as we’re qualified in the discovery final too. He copes well with the atmosphere and will jump anything as long as I’m there with him. We’ll then look to get our double clears for next year and then maybe think about HOYS qualifiers next year too.”
In the pony Discovery Second Rounds, the victory went to Eliza Langman Rousa and Lauren Langman’s Doctor Pepper II in a speedy 35.22 seconds. Amelia Moth and Mac’s Grey Shadow, owned by Emma Moth, slotted into second place, 1.31 seconds off the winning place and Elissa Bromfield rode Kerry Harris’ Barrowby Boy 1 into third place, 3.48 seconds in arrears.
Weston Lawns – Saturday, 3 May 2025
STX-UK Pony British Novice Second Round
1st – Zara Nicholls & Coloured Candy– 0/0/0 31.47 seconds
2nd – Jodie Tyson & Lady Skipper – 0/0/0 33.11 seconds
3rd – Zea Adams & Jalapena De Ashwey Z– 0/0/0 33.59 seconds
NB: Results pending official grading.
Image credit: Simon Coates Photography
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