Amy Simpson took the prestigious Novice Masters title at Allerton Park in North Yorkshire today (17 September), getting the better of a competitive field with her own 10-year-old gelding, Hero RHF.
The pair were well-placed in fourth after dressage, having delivered a good test for a score of 29.3. It was all to play for heading into the jumping phases, with less than one mark separating the top four, and Amy and Hero delivered. They produced two super rounds, collecting just 3-time penalties in the show jumping to propel themselves up the leader board and into the top spot.
The Top 3: Amy (centre) alongside Charlotte Clewlow and Ellie Healy (image Allerton Park Horse Trials)
“I’m very, very pleased with the win,” said a thrilled Amy. “It was my first year competing in the Novice Masters as this is my first season with this horse. It was a great to be able to ride in a long arena and show jump around a championship track in such a fabulous venue, and a challenging cross country!”
In addition to the honour of becoming the Allerton Park Novice Master, Amy also received a whole array of fabulous prizes, including a HorseQuest winner’s rug, EHOA sponsored crystal decanter and championship rosette, British Eventing winner’s sash and rosette and prize bundles from both Bates Saddles and HorseQuest. “It was amazing to get such lovely prizes and rosettes,” she said.
Everyone had plenty to take home, with the top placed riders receiving further rosettes and prizes and each competitor that took part being given a stable plaque bearing all sponsors names and a passport cover from HorseQuest.
The top six riders also earned themselves a ticket for the ‘Masters’ Big Prize Draw! The draw will take place at the end of all Novice and Intermediate Masters legs, with the overall winner receiving a year’s British Eventing membership for horse and rider, a year’s feed for one horse from Baileys and a £500 voucher from Jump for Joy. A runner up will also receive a £500 Jump for Joy voucher.
Our Top Six at Allerton Park, each receiving a ticket are:
- Amy Simpson and Hero RHF (32.3)
- Charlotte Clewlow and Annagh Little Rosey (33.1)
- Ellie Healy and Balladeer Just For Kicks (33.2)
- Ellie Healy and Class Move (33.5)
- Katie Edgar and Ringwood Dalto (33.6)
- Vicky Pigg and Faerlie Tempting (36.3)
There were also a number of special awards presented by BETTALIFE, where the winner will be sent 1kg of PharmaPRO Total Equine Support:
Best dressage – Vicky Pigg & Faerlie Tempting
Highest climber – Gracie Lovett Brunt & Weston One Vision
Highest placed veteran – Vicky Pigg & Faerlie Tempting
Combination closest to the optimum time on the cross country – Trudy Johnston & Catch Me If you Can and Amy Simpson & Northern Echo
The Masters are supported by the British Eventing partnership with funding from sponsors and partners including Baileys Horse Feeds, Bates Saddles, Bettalife, the EHOAand HorseQuest providing the prize money and prizes for the Novice Masters and Intermediate Masters Series, with further generous support from Jump 4 Joy in respect of the prize draw.
