Winner Winner Chicken Dinner Part 22

Susie Berry Aston-Le-Walls Novice winner

© Richard Weller Poley

Summer Nichols Horseheath BE100 winner

© Matt Nuttall Photography

Sarah L’homme Horseheath BE80 (T) winner

21 year old, Susie Berry from Northern Ireland but currently based with Piggy French in Northampton won the Novice at Aston-Le-Walls riding Fernhill G.

What are your aims for 2017 for this horse?

We will aim him for the 6 year old class at Osberton

Is this your first time at this event, or are you a regular? If a regular, what keeps you coming back? If a first timer, will you be back?

I have competed quite a few times at Aston. It’s not too far for us to travel and it’s nice to do your dressage and showjumping on such a good surface.

Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?

There has been so many people who have helped me along the way but I would probably say Piggy, she’s unbelievably supportive!

Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?

There are a lot of people helping behind the scenes keeping everything running smoothly. Alice Graham comes to the 3 days with me. I love having her there as she looks after the ponies so well and she’s a great friend along with it.

What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?

I wish I’d known how to ward off chillblains! Being based on the top of a hill, our winter fitness regime can be extremely cold! I’ve learnt prevention is better than cure and thermal knickers are essential!

Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing

There are too many to mention but probably the one that stands out the most is probably when my junior horse bucked me off in the warm up of the dressage at Tattersalls! He took himself off for a canter around the cross country and apparently jumped a set of rails and went through the water jump before he was caught!

Which is your favourite event & why?

I think probably Blenheim as it was my first CCI*** on my own horse Carsonstown Athena. She gave me everything all week to finish 10th.

What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?

Roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings and washed down with a gin and tonic.

What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?

We are very keen on the Ed Sheeran album at the minute and probably Galway Girl or Castle On The Hill.

16 year old, Summer Nicholls from Essex won the BE100 at Horseheath riding Alfie. Summer is hoping to take on eventing as a full time career and is off to college in September to do her BHS stage 3 exam.  

I had two rides (another in the 90) but Alfie who I won the 100 section A with today was feeling super from the start… he did a solid test backed up with a clear showjumping round and then for our favourite phase! He ate up the ground cross country and flew home clear inside the time with his ears pricked!

© Richard Weller Poley

What are your aims for 2017 for this horse?

I’m off to the Pony Club Championships this weekend in the Intermediate, then our next aim is Badminton Grassroots, we have qualified for 3 regional finals this year which we are doing at Little Downham, Goring Heath and Weston Park. Then at the end of the year we hope to do Aldon International 3 day event. It has been and continues to be a busy season!

Is this your first time at this event, or are you a regular? If a regular, what keeps you coming back? If a first timer, will you be back?

No it’s my third time at Horseheath, I went a while back for a Pony Club event called The Gosling Cup and we went to the BE event here back in April. We always come back because the ground is always fantasic… and the XC course is lovely! It’s a nice flowing course with lots of stretches of canter which suits my ponies very well! I’d also love to go round their racecourse/ steeplechase one day, it looks so fun! Also the facilities are great here – nice food, good coffee so my family also enjoy coming here to watch.

Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?

Probably Mary & Emily King!

Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?

Without a doubt my mum! She’s always at every event supporting me, driving me all over the country, rushing around helping get the ponies ready, and she drives me all over the country to all the events! And that’s just at events, she takes me to training weekly and organises most things at home with farriers, feed, physio etc.! Super mum!

What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?

I’m not sure I’ve always wanted to event!

Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing

Well I’m not sure if my mum found this funny but a while back I qualified for the National Riding Club Championships, when I was 13 so it was a big thing! I was in the lead on my 12.2hh pony Lemon Twist, we were out on XC and he was flying! There was a field of cows next to one of the jumps and he stopped in the middle of a gallop and I went flying over the top!! I didn’t even know I could carry on without penalties because I didn’t fall off at a jump and I’d hurt my ankle so I was taken off course, but if I’d have carried on and went clear I’d have won! But at least I learnt a lesson!

© Richard Weller Poley

Which is your favourite event & why?

Barbury Castle I think – you can watch everything from one view point there and there’s always an amazing atmosphere.

What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?

Well straight after the competition I headed straight to the taco van at Horseheath – I remembered their amazing vegetarian tacos from last time so had those … washed down with a celebratory pimms!

What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?

Mum makes me listen to Radio 2…. enough said! She drives so it’s her choice!

33 year old, Sarah L’homme from Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire won the BE80(T) at Horseheath riding Charlie.

© Matt Nuttall Photography

What are your aims for 2017 for this horse?

The main aim for this season is the Blue Chip Central North West 80(T) Challenge at Weston Park which I qualified for at Stafford at the end of July.

Is this your first time at this event, or are you a regular? If a regular, what keeps you coming back? If a first timer, will you be back?

This is my second time to Horseheath. I returned to this event as it was a very well run event and great viewing for spectators. It is a little further than I would normally travel but well worth it.

Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?

My biggest influence is my younger sister. This is her third year BE eventing and she has already successfully completed 2 Badminton Grassroots at BE90 and BE100.

Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?

There is more than 1 unsung hero in our team. My husband, mum and sister who all help while I’m juggling shifts at work and always being there at the sidelines supporting me.

What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?

How addictive eventing was going to be!

Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing

At Norton Disney at the start of the season he spotted the makeshift farmyard at the second to last fence, spooked and I landed on top of the hay bale at the side of the jump.

© Matt Nuttall Photography

Which is your favourite event & why?

Speetly. The facilities there were amazing and as the xc was at the bottom of the hill it was brilliant for spectators.

What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?

Sweet and sour chicken and a glass of ice cold coke!

What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?

Ed Sheeran, Shape Of You… As I’m sure my husband thinks he’s the real Ed Sheeran!