Two The Howden Way Young Horse class titles were on offer at Burgham International Horse Trials. The age classes give riders a platform in which to showcase their talented six- and seven-year-old event horses.
Wills Oakden and Daisy Cross’ German-bred gelding Cooley Topgun continued their winning form when claiming The Howden Way six-year-old class, finishing on their dressage score of 24.8. The pair have now enjoyed no less than six victories this season from seven starts, including three at BE100 level and two at novice, all with sub-30 dressage scores and double clears.
Will said of Cooley Topgun by Conthargos out of Erlinde: “He is a horse with a very exciting future. He has run seven times this year and won six. He was bought last winter as part of an investment club so unfortunately for me, he will have to be sold along the way. We are in no rush though as we want to produce him correctly in the hope of seeing him go on to excel in our sport.”
Second went to Udo A Z and Cameron Swales, who’s double clear saw them finish on their dressage score of 27, followed by Lucinda Atkinson and her own, Amanda Rowe and Jane Crossley’s PRF Made In England who also finished on their dressage score of 28.8 for third place.
In the seven-year-old ranks, it was Lizzie Baugh and The Spice Syndicate’s Calida Spice who took top honours. A double clear followed their 28.2 dressage to see them finish in front. The Irish-bred mare by Tyson out of Red Diamond Spice, has enjoyed seven top-ten finishes this season including third place in the CCI-S 2* at Thoresby Park International in March, and two open novice wins.
Lizzie said: “I’ve had Spice since a four-year-old. I’m so pleased that she got the win she deserved at Burgham. She’s been knocking on the door in the seven-year-old classes all season with an unlucky pole costing her a win at Alnwick. She’s a lovely mare who tries so hard every time, and I’m delighted with how she’s developing. Now we’ll focus on getting the qualifications needed in order to aim for Le Lion.”
Runner up went to Willa Newton riding Isobel Crosbie’s Morgund on a score of 29.1, while third went to Will Rawlin and Caroline lLng’s Mackenzy with 29.8.
The series, supported by The Howden Way, is an ideal opportunity for riders to expose their up-and-coming eventers to the atmosphere of bigger venues, while competing against other horses of the same age. The classes offer recognition for the highest performing horses in these classes.
The Young Horse classes take place throughout the spring and summer in some of BE’s most stunning venues with the 6-year-old classes running at novice level, and the 7-year-old classes running at intermediate level.
The top three in each class receive an additional £250, £150, £100 respectively on top of the prize money already generated and awarded by the prize money calculator.
For dates of the young horse classes this year, please click here
Alongside these classes, the performance of young horses competing with British Eventing is acknowledged within The Howden Way Young Horse Leagues which can be found here. There are four leagues which cover the ages of 5 years, 6 years, 7 years and then the ages of 8 & 9 combined. The leagues display the average of a horse’s three best finishing scores via a Power Based Average score which highlights the ability to repeatedly finish on a low score.
The 2024 Young Horse Championships take place at Cornbury House Horse Trials in Oxfordshire between 12-15 September. The classes will also benefit those aiming their young horses at the FEI World Breeding Championships at Le Lion d’Angers between 17-20 October, which hosts a CCI2*-L World Championship for six-year-olds and a CCI3*-L World Championship for seven-year-olds.
Images courtesy of 1st Class Images.
