Friday 29th of March 2024
Showjumping

British Showjumping National Championships

© 1st Class Images

© 1st Class Images

Harry Charles clinches victory in the National under 18 Championship Final

Harry Charles was crowned the National under 18 Champion today as the riders who had qualified for the championship final joined together to put on a tremendous display of young jumping talent in Championship Arena 2, at the British Showjumping National Championships. As the stars of the future took centre stage in the jump off, 17 year old Harry from Hampshire produced the only clear round out of the five combinations who made it through riding Vivaldi Du Dom.

Last year Harry was part of the Junior team who won bronze at the FEI European Jumping Championship. He also won silver at the Europeans and came first in the Gents Final at Wales. In April this year he took second place ahead of his father, London 2012 gold medallist Peter Charles, at the Welsh Masters – a son certainly following in his father’s footsteps.

Speaking of his win today, Harry says:

“The course was well built and had a great technical element to it. I could see that the first fence was causing problems for many so I made sure I really balanced him [Vivaldi Du Dom] on the approach. In the jump off I was conscious of the fact that Maja was really fast so I wanted to really go for it.” Maja Burnell came in second place riding Carnaval Komom having got a quick time but picked up an unfortunate 4 faults.

Senior Foxhunter Masters

Nicole Pavitt from Crawley, West Sussex secured her place at Horse of the Year Show 2016 in the Senior Foxhunter Masters riding Gemmarco 16, a homebred seven year old stallion. The competition proved intense creating an electric atmosphere as horses and riders tackled the challenging course designed by Mark McGowan.

Nicole was delighted when she realised she had won, having ridden a double clear with a time of 37.35.

 

Nicole Pavitt and Gemmarco 16, winners of the Senior Foxhunter Masters © 1st Class Images

Nicole Pavitt and Gemmarco 16, winners of the Senior Foxhunter Masters © 1st Class Images

“He’s been the easiest horse from day one, he’s only seven years old but he has a great attitude. We have had two foals from him this year and we have two other mares in foal to him ready for next year. The course rode well; it was testing in places but that is what you want at a championship. I knew I needed to respect the last fence because a few riders had previously took it on the angle and had it down. So I rode quite a wide loop to make sure I got a straight approach and it paid off.His sire is Unbelievable Darco who was HOYS champion back in his day and he is out of our mare, Ecuador. We bought Ecuador from a lady called Fiona Pierce after already having one of her offspring and being won over by her temperament and ability.”

The top four horses placed in the class take with them their HOYS qualifier ticket. They are;  Gemmarco, second placed Zira II ridden by Anthony Condon, third placed Lady Bird ridden by Tim Stockdale and Indy IV ridden by Ailsa Black.

© 1st Class Images

© 1st Class Images

Ashbourne Equestrian Fashion National under 14 Championship Final

Lily Freeman-Attwood was crowned the National under 14 Champion 2016 riding her dark bay mare, Topspin III. At 14 years old, this was the last chance Lily had to take the title and she rose to the occasion. The school girl from Shrewsbury has already achieved her HOYS ticket for this year winning the 138cm qualifying event at Weston Lawns Equitation Centre in Warwickshire. Runner up in the championship and just missing out was Oliver Fletcher who took second and third place with Little Business and Daher respectively.

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