Latest NAF Shining Star!

Friday 01 November 2024

Florene Newstead, from Ely, Cambridgeshire, has been awarded the latest NAF Shining Star accolade. Florence, a member of the British Showjumping Suffolk Academy, was nominated for the award by her coach Mia Palles-Clark.

Twelve-year-old Florence says she is very lucky to have two ponies that she competes – 15-year-old mare Cariad Mam, whom she has had for seven months and 21-year-old gelding Millcroft Armada, whom Florence shares with her younger sister, Mabel.

Florence was delighted to find out she had been nominated for the NAF Shining Star Award, commenting: “I am very happy, pleased and thrilled for me and my ponies. I was also very surprised as I had no idea that my coach, Mia, had nominated me.”

Talking about her ponies, who are known as Carrie and Mardi at home, Florence said: Carrie loves show jumping and being out and about places. She is laid back and her favourite hobby is eating!

Mardi is an amazing jumping machine and even though he is 21 years old but thinks he is still five. He loves life particularly jumping and taking off his bridle as soon as I’ve put it on, he is very cheeky at times.”

This year, Florence has had so many great moments but was particularly proud to qualify to the British Showjumping National Championship for the first time: “I qualified both Mardi and Carrie for the National Championships this year, it was my first year jumping at the show and I had the best time. I was really pleased to have qualified Carrie in both the Stepping Stones final and the Bronze League final even though I have only owned her for a short amount of time. My goal for the rest of the year is to get my double clears in the Stepping Stones and to step up to 1m classes.”

Florence also enjoyed attending the UNIBED National Academy Championships with her ponies: “I love attending the Academy Championships, which I did for the second time this year. Last year I won the NAF 1* Style and Performance on Mardi, which he won again this year with my sister, Mabel. The Academy Championships is such a fun competition to be at, I had so much fun at the show making memories and it is a privilege to be part of the team competing for the Suffolk Academy.”

Mia Palles-Clark, Suffolk Academy Coach said: “Florence has always been a kind and thoughtful member of the Academy, supporting others and being calm even when things are tricky, being brave when she needs to be. She’s quick to praise her ponies too, whatever their performance.

“She had a difficult two days at the Academy Championships, where her pony really wasn’t playing the game and Florence didn’t complete her rounds, again she stayed calm and positive, reflecting on what needed to improve even when others were again upset for her and the ponies lack of performance.

It was remarked upon by several adults, and a standout display of maturity amongst a very intense and emotionally charged environment.

 

“Her pony will get the checks she needs, and Florence will continue to work hard, improve her riding and support her academy team members.”

 

Talking about her favourite thing about the Suffolk Academy, Florence commented: " I love being part of the Suffolk Academy as there are some great riders in the Academy that have now become my friends. I love jumping as part of the team and have been really lucky to jump for the Suffolk Academy at three team competitions this year. Everyone is so friendly and supportive. We have great coaches, particularly Mia and Georgia Leader White -they make the training fun and enjoyable.

 

Lisa Field from NAF added: “Florence, it is great to see how much you enjoy being a part of your Academy and is truly admirable how you deal with both the good days and bad days whilst also supporting those around you. Congratulations for being such a deserving Shining Star and we can’t wait to see what you achieve next.”

The NAF Shining Star Award was introduced when NAF became a British Showjumping Business Partner. The award is for members of a Junior Academy who have shown a great deal of commitment, progression, and outstanding behaviour, along with their riding ability and much more. Riders are nominated by their lead coach, and then judged and awarded by NAF to one person each month.

For further information on NAF follow them on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates and rider stories or visit the NAF website at naf-equine.eu/uk

Further information on the British Showjumping Academies can be found here: britishshowjumping.co.uk/training/Academies-1

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