National Horse Trials Championships Weathers the Storm

Wednesday, August 12, 2009


After an eleventh hour relocation to Washbrook Farm at Aston-le-Walls, the course builders pulled out all the stops to get the National Horse Trials Championships, sponsored by SEIB, up and running. Deluged with rain for two weeks prior and torrential rain the day before, officials gathered to deliberate safety and the surface water covering the area.

SEIB Insurance brokers once again sponsored the event, and Nicky Mackenzie Marketing Manager at SEIB was on hand with Graham Cory to present the winners with their prizes. BRC are also grateful to the Worshipful Company of Saddlers who generously donated bridles and vouchers to the lucky winners. The Junior Intermediate section was sponsored by TriZone, who generously gave cross-country boots and a polo shirt to competitors placed first to tenth.

The event took place from 7-9 August with Junior classes running as a one day event, Senior Novice as a two day event and Senior Intermediate and open as a three day event.

With the cross-country course underwater on the Friday morning, the decision was made for the Junior competition to run as a combined training event. This meant the show jumping phase of the competition ran with two rounds with the second scored as cross-country.

The Junior Novice Championship was won by the Frampton Fillies who also took home the All Four Scores to Count trophy. The team consisted of Hannah Merrett, Harriet Allman Carter, Eleanor Luffman and Gabrielle Withers. Natalie Ireland from Lakes RC won Overall Individual riding Cherokee Brave.

North Lincs RC took home the Junior Intermediate Trophy. Riding for them were Libby Norton, Abigail Glover, Rebecca Pinder and Charlotte Wood. Charlotte also won the Overall Individual Champion. Huntingdon RC took the All Fours Scores Silver Salver home with them. Their team consisted of Verity Grace Hart, Bridget Hipwell, Emily Meredith and Ciara Mckibben.

A very special presentation was made to the Senior intermediate Team Champions from Carleton RC who took home the Laurie Punnett Perpetual Trophy. Laurie was Chairman of the BRC NEC Committee for ten years and sadly passed away on July 23. His wife, Sarah Punnett, presented the award. Carleton RC was very much a family affair having three members of one family in the team. They were Lucie Hustler, Johnny Hustler, Harriet Hustler and Karen Plant. Carleton also won the All Four Scores to Count Trophy and Johnny Hustler was Overall Individual Champion.

The Senior Novice title went to Mid Sussex, representing them were Diana Grinyer, Philippa Pickard, Anne Greenwood and Julie Picken. The All Four Scores to Count trophy was scooped by Ardingly which comprised of Nicki Gurden, Jane Taggart, Allison Ingram and Susannah Givons. Overall Individual Champion was won by Claire Boardman from Stoneleigh RC. The Alexa King trophy, which goes to the highest placed under 25 senior Novice Rider was won by Sarah Ireland from Lakes RC.

The Senior Open held fierce competition but the title went to Cropthorne and Evesham with Jocelyn Icke, Jessica Mcneill, Caroline Richards and Margaret Boyd. Saffron Walden secured the All Four Scores to Count Trophy represented by Victoria Lawson, Emma Kidman, Susan Stringer and Lisa Spence. The Overall Individual went to Scott Perry from Area 19. Claire Marston from Stoneleigh won the Overall Homebred for her horse Lord Penfold.