Claire Shepherd Secures Senior Discovery Second Round Victory

Church Farm Equestrian in Ormskirk, Lancashire held a Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Second Round on Saturday 13^th June and the class was eventually headed up by Claire Shepherd and Jordanta following three rounds of fierce competition. 

Fifty-one starters came forward to contest this second round and all of the riders were aiming to deliver a treble clear as this would ensure them of a place in the Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Championship Final at the British Showjumping National Championships this August.

With twenty-nine combinations making it through to the final jump off, spectators were treated to an exciting end to the class, especially with eighteen treble clears being produced.

Claire Shepherd from Middleton in Manchester produced the fastest treble clear of the class on her own 6 year-old grey mare Jordanta and this gave the combination a narrow lead over their nearest rivals. Their treble clear was delivered in 26.25 seconds and this saw them finish just 0.29 seconds ahead of the combination in second.

Reflecting on the class, a pleased Claire said “I had seen a couple of combinations before me jump clear and I knew that Rachael, who finished in second, is quick in jump off competitions. When I looked at the jump off course, I knew that I would have to push Jordanta over the final couple of fences, but with her long stride, I was confident that we could do it.”

Rachael Connor, from Rossendale, Lancashire finished in second place with her own 5 year-old bay gelding Valencia IX after they produced their treble clear in a quick time of 26.54 seconds.

Third place was taken by Toni Potts from Wrexham, Clwyd with her own 8 year-old chestnut mare Terrys Clover. A foot perfect treble clear in 27.99 seconds saw this combination secure the third and final sub 30 second round.

A total of eighteen combinations from this second round will now go forward to the Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Championship Final.

Church Farm Equestrian – Saturday 13^th June 2015

Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Second Round

1^st Claire Shepherd & Jordanta – 0/0/0 – 26.25 seconds

2^nd Rachael Connor & Valencia IX – 0/0/0 – 26.54 seconds

3^rd Toni Potts & Terrys Clover – 0/0/0 – 27.99 seconds

4^th John Steels & Favantos – 0/0/0 – 31.90 seconds

5^th Harriette Rushton & Zilanto – 0/0/0 – 33.93 seconds

6^th Samantha Jimmison & Ebolensky – 0/0/0 – 34.01 seconds

7^th Stephen Gee & Estelle – 0/0/0 – 34.10 seconds

8^th Morgan Carpenter & Merllyns Harlequin – 0/0/0 – 34.16 seconds

9^th Julia Hardy & Crescendo Z – 0/0/0 – 34.62 seconds

10^th Samantha Jimmison & Cornets Steal – 0/0/0 – 34.79 seconds

11^th Julia Hardy & Mista Blue – 0/0/0 – 35.80 seconds

12^th Ceri Chapman & Dellrose Rosie – 0/0/0 – 36.04 seconds

13^th Harry Turner & Sly Go – 0/0/0 – 36.56 seconds

14^th Nigel Coupe & Material Girl – 0/0/0 – 37.90 seconds

15^th Jasmine Cain & Fihilithya – 0/0/0 – 38.16 seconds

16^th Sophie Brise & Quakin Qurious – 0/0/0 – 38.39 seconds

17^th Lea Lawrence & Tommys Pride & Joy – 0/0/0 – 39.47 seconds

18^th Sarah Hutton & Whitesparkle Zarko – 0/0/0 – 40.66 seconds

NB: Qualifications will be updated pending official grading of results.

The British Showjumping National Championships 2015 will take place during the 11th – 16th August at the National Agricultural and Exhibition Centre (NAEC), Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.