Academy Championship Round Up

Sunday 01 September 2024

Experience, learning, team spirit and most of all, Fun with a capital F; the UNIBED High Performance Equine Bedding Academy Championships returned to Stoneleigh for another year, bringing competitors from nationwide together.

Mini Individual

Holly Milne enjoyed a great few days of competition, ending the Championship Show with two championship titles to her name. Taking the Just for Schools 80cm Individual Final on Monday, Holly followed this up with a win in the Mini 70cm Individual Academy Final, riding Buzz Lightyear.

A mammoth 177 starters came forward for this class, with 75 jumping double clear over the two days. To take home the coveted rug and sash, riders would need to leave all the poles up and be quick against the clock.

Buzz Lightyear certainly lived up to his name, as Holly, who represented the Scottish Academy Team Loch Rannoch, piloted him swiftly around the course in an unbeatable time of 24.79 seconds at one of their last shows together.

“It was very fast but he’s such a good boy. This is our second win this week and I’m not sure what else to say, he’s just amazing. I’ll miss him a lot.”

Marcella Eaton-Reynolds from the Leicestershire Foxes Academy Team jumped Moneyhills Mylo into second placed, less than a second off the pace in 25.50 seconds.

Amaya Cairns and Llanidan Sea Biscuit who were part of the Scottish Academy Loch Linhe Team took third in a time of 25.53 seconds, only 0.03 behind second place.

Mini Team

The Berks and Oxon Lions Team of Charlotte Noys & Amners Hot Springs, Freddie Mould & Baronsdown Honey, Jessica Noys & Lackaghmore Akoya and Sophie McAleney & H Lady Arabella, lifted the Mini 70cm Team title with a completely clean score sheet in a time of 79.78 seconds.

Helen Paul, Berks and Oxon Academy Co-ordinator was delighted with the performance: “Berks & Oxon Academy are extremely proud of our Mini Team riders. To finish first in such a large class is a huge achievement especially when they're competing against great riders from other academies across the country! 

“All riders who competed have made us proud, showing great team spirit and support of their friends and fellow team members,” she added.

The Kent Mini Hip Hop Team of Harlow Wiek & My Blue Eyed Boy, Georgia Whisken & Lady Tara, Laila Wright & Park Chanel and Harry Stanley & Romulus D’hurl Vent, also produced a team score of zero and slotted into second place with a time of 82.80 seconds.

The Essex Red Team of Max Williams & Nellsdale Johnnie B Good, Poppy Gibson & The Devils Raven, Rosie Summers & Spike Man and Nancy-Lou Gilbert & Sam Hackett picked up third place with a zero score in a time of 84.91 seconds.

Midi Individual

Ruby Birchenough emerged the best in the Midi 90cm Individual Academy Championships with Miss Castielle.

A massive entry of 116 starters contended this class with almost half jumping clear on Day 1 so it was all to play for on the final day. Ruby, representing the Derbyshire Dreams Academy Team, convincingly claimed the win by 2.54 seconds with her six-year-old mare Miss Castielle, a pony Ruby has produced herself.

“She jumped really well, she felt so confident, so I just went for the win,” said Ruby. “I’m really happy with her and it’s nice to do it on a pony I produced myself. We’ve had her since November but before she arrived, she hadn’t even cantered, she’s just such a fast learner.”

This pair have had a successful week having also won the STX-UK Pony British Novice Championships on the last day of the British Showjumping National Championships.

Indie Mckeand of the Scottish Academy’s Loch Katrine team jumped Mountpellier Linsfort Gem into second place, with Surrey Scorchers member Harry Churchill taking third aboard Christmas Candy, just 0.02 seconds in arrears.

Midi Team

The Scottish Academies dominated the Midi Team competition, taking first and third over the 90cm track. The Loch Tulla Team of Holly West & Clashroe Lad, Sienna Nisbet & Dream Cruise, Nicole Cairns & TC’s Vivian and Madison McLachlan and Who’s Woodside Stunner, finished on a team total of 4 faults to take victory.

The Derbyshire Dreams Team of Lily Jo Parrott & Champs Palace, Ruby Birchenough & Miss Castielle, Emma White & Kilfinane Gail and Ruby Garlick & Dolgorant Lady Catherine rode into second place with eights faults in a combined time of 97.63 seconds.

The Loch Awe Team of Izzy Henderson & Bobbys Return, Anna Graham & Alderman Firefly Fred, Caitlin Cairns & Dance Monkey and Eva Tomnay & Apple I, also finished on eight faults to slot into third place in a combined time of 109.08 seconds.

Maxi Individual

Elle Hourihan, representative of the Beds and Bucks Academy Team Stockdale, claimed a win in the Maxi 1.05m Individual Academy Final, riding Harry.

Fifty-one riders came forward over the 1.05m track with five jumping the double clear needed to contend for top spot. Elle and her 22-year-old gelding cruised ahead to win by 1.05 seconds and take home a much-wanted sash.

“It was amazing,” said a very excited Elle. “He didn’t feel like he was going that fast. I’ve had him for a year and even though he’s 22, he’s just amazing.

“I’ve been waiting for this for ages, all I wanted was a sash,” she added.

Sophie Pulman and Morjoy Lord Kardeenie, who were part of the Lanc and Cheshire Gold Team slotted into second on a zero score in a time of 39.40 seconds.

Grace House, jumping as part of the Sussex Swans Team, picked up third riding Rathlee Warrior. The combination also finished on a zero score in a time of 41.20 seconds.

Maxi Team

The Scottish Academies were also flying high in the Maxi Team competition, once again taking home first and third place, with the Derbyshire Dreams returning another second-place finish. The Loch Treig Trio of Elliana Prentice & Chacha Real Smooth, Britney Clarke & Borris OB and Holly West & Coppenagh Celtic Rebel finished on a team score of eight faults.

Suzy Dun, Development Officer for Scotland was thrilled with the performance of her riders: “The Scottish Academy members were all amazing. They all rode well and posted some great results!” she said. “Taking the Midi and Maxi Team wins was very exciting with fast competition and Holly Milne on Buzz Light Year VII also had a tremendous individual win in the Minis.

“We were super proud of all the Scottish competitors who tried their best and had their horses and ponies, along with themselves, turned out well.”

The Derbyshire Dreams Maxi Team of Zea Adams & Quick Fire Candy, Scarlet Rourke & Aberhendre Jacydo, India Vilarrubi & Little Charlie II and Ruby Birchenough & Lord French, finished on a team total of 12 faults over the two days.

The Loch Tummel Team of Millie Elliot & Honeysuckle Cruise, Anna Graham & Kengarth Sally Anne, Rachael Stewart & Coldwell Brennin and Izzy Henderson & Builders Surprise, slotted into third place with a team total of 16 faults.

Intermediate Individual

From a start list of 84 combinations, Lucy Melchers landed the Intermediate 90cm Individual Championship title with Ipsodonius.  Seventeen double clears were unlocked, and it was Lancashire and Cheshire Academy member Lucy who crossed the finish line in top spot with just 0.34 seconds to spare.

“He was really good,” said Lucy. “We usually jump a bit bigger, but we’ve stepped down for a bit. I thought the course was nice with good turns which definitely suited us.

“I’ve had him about a year now and he’s awesome, perfect, and has been the whole time I’ve had him, so it’s nice to get this win,” she added.

Ellie-May Payne and Lancelot Dwerse Hagen, who were part of the second placed Berks and Oxons Gladiators Team, finished in second with a clear sheet in a time of 30.11 seconds.

Dyfed Academy Member Bella Wild, piloted Donna Z  I skilfully into third on a zero score in a time of 30.70 seconds.

Intermediate Team

The Sussex Spiders triumphed in the Intermediate 90cm Team final as the only team to finish on a zero score. Nina Hryniewicz-Sheppard & Golden Mermus, Kitty Adams & Wonder Girl III, Thomas Mather & Killycloghan First Lady and Maud Brook & Eurythmic III secured the coveted title over 22 other teams.

Judi Piper-Dadswell, Academy Co-ordinator for Sussex commented: “We were thrilled with the win as the team consisted of less experienced combinations and our aim from the start was to focus on clear rounds and not worry about riding against the clock. It paid off! Nina, Tom, Maud and Kitty all rode thoughtfully and gained the all-important double clears. I’m very proud of them.”

The Berks and Oxons Gladiators Team of Maisie Belcher & Magical Mistery, Sophie Farrant & Cranny Chippy Lady, Ellie-May Payne & Lancelot Dwerse Hagen, Ruby Norris & Another Time VI, secured second place with an almost 19 second advantage over their rivals, finishing on four faults in a combined time of 98.95 seconds.

Scotland picked up another top three placing as the St Marys Loch Team of Pebbles Walker & Shannondale Flight, Laila Seath & Westonhouse Buachaill Mor, Emily Sinclair & Karmyn XI and Afton Learmonth & JJ’s Gallipoli Star Here to Impress jumped into third place, finishing on a team total of four faults in 117.80 seconds.

Advanced Individual

Rosie Walker, representing the Norfolk Broads Academy Team, skilfully guided her 14-year-old mare, Furelise, to victory in the Advance 1.10m Individual Championship Final.  

Speaking affectionately about Furelise, who has been in the family for over 10 years, Rosie said: “We’ve had her since she was 3 and she’s 13 now. She was my mums, and I started riding her two years ago and I just get on with her so well. She’s my favourite, I know I shouldn’t have favourites, but she is mine.”

Forty combinations contended the 1.10m with 11 jumping double clear over the two days of competition, with Rosie forging ahead to win by the slightest margin of 0.19 seconds.

“I was really happy with how she jumped,” added Rosie. “She hasn’t been out in about a month, so I didn’t expect her to win, especially when there is so many fast people here. I just love her, she’s the best.”

Taya Murphy, jumping as part of the winning Beds and Buck Team Maher, finished in second place with Kadar AH, with a clean score sheet in a time of 36.52 seconds.

Ella Mae Davidson Cook, who also represented the Norfolk Broads Team riding Diego Del Fire, slotted into third with a zero score in a time of 38.62.

Advanced Team

Team Maher from the Beds and Bucks Academy, made up of Taya Murphy &  Kadar AH, Caitlin Wornham & Adorijke, Rebecca Eales & Anne Minka MB Z and Harriet Wall & Prestige’s Premier Star, earned the Advanced 1.10m Team title as they triumphed with a team score of zero in 123.95 seconds.

Karen Wornham, Academy Co-ordinator for Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire said: “The girls work extremely hard with their horses and deserved this win. Through the academy they have become great friends as well as teammates. It was an exciting competition and with two teams finishing on zero it came down to time and an agonising wait to hear if they were the fastest. We’re so proud of all our competitors.”

The Sussex Snipers Team of Kitty Adams & Goldust V, Fleur Jeffrey & Carnlea Star, Lottie Adams & Charisma and Lulu Isaac & Carrickview Under Cover, picked up second, also with a team score of zero but in a slightly slower time of 131.54 seconds.

The Norfolk Broads Team of Rosie Walker & Fuerlise, Bethany Barrett & Davco Upsala, Freya Milner-Moore & Adonis V and Ella Cook & Diego Del Fire took home third placed with a team score of eight faults.

Image: Jasmine Punter Photography

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