Claiming the KBIS CIC2* Seven Year Old Championship title for the second year running, Leicestershire’s Willa Newton took this years’ class in true style on The Sandpiper Syndicate’s Lauries Laudatio 2. Adding nothing to her 40.80 dressage score and finishing just 1.7 points ahead of Rio 2016 Olympic Team GBR Member Pippa Funnell who slipped to second after incurring an lucky 2 Cross Country time faults, Willa was delighted:
“I am totally thrilled for this horse, he really tries his heart out every time for me. I can’t believe that I have won the 7 year old champs two years in a row. I have always thought so much of both of the horses but never dreamt that they could do this for me! Osberton is a fantastic end of season aim for the young horses and I am very lucky that it is such a local event for me! I can’t wait to be back here next year!”
With a packed schedule of arena entertainment during the Trials, the Osberton crowds enjoyed a wide variety of demonstrations, have-a-go’s and displays. The Cheffings Equine Gate Jumping drew the biggest crowds of the day to the Bloomfield’s Arena where they witnessed Scarlett Ward and her mount Blackie take the £500 prize clearing the 5’4” gate with ease.
Jan and Emily Baxter of Osberton Hall, rose to the challenge and raised a wonderful sum of money for the amazing Willberry Wonder Pony Charity with the final amount totalling over £1050! All money collected will go directly to the Charity in memory of the wonderful Hannah Francis to enable her incredible legacy to help those with life limiting and debilitating illnesses to fulfil their dreams.
The action on the second day of the Trials ended with Georgie Strang and Miss Gilly Kinloch’s, Monbeg Odyssey taking the KBIS Four Year Old National Championships and, partnered by Alex Postolowsky, Miss Judy Bradwell’s mare, Grappa Nera claimed top spot in the Five Year Old Championships with a very well deserved 27.3.
The inaugural EQuestrian of Sport, held on Friday 30th September in the Triple Bar, did not disappoint! With famous hosts, comedian Rory Bremner and cricket pundit turned equestrian commentator, Jonathon Agnew, and teams made up of some of the world’s top eventers, revellers were treated to an hour of live equestrian themed quizzing in the wonderful format of the well-known TV programme ‘A Question of Sport’. Taking the title on the night were Team GB lead by 4* rider Harry Meade who was joined by Rio 2016 Olympian Gemma Tattersall and GB Young Rider Sam Ecroyd.
