A great opportunity to compete and train before the season gets into full swing, the BE Jump Training Series is a show jumping competition that has the added benefit of having a BE Accredited Coach on hand to provide advice and feedback on your jumping in real time.

The unique format enables riders to jump one round, get feedback from the coach and then jump again. Both rounds of show jumping are given marks for style, effectiveness of riding and the quality of the horse’s jump and paces. Any show jumping faults over the two rounds are then included to produce a final score.

The coach for this year’s final was Jonathan Chapman. “I was involved in the pilot of this competition more than 25 years ago, so for it still to be going strong and to see the quality of the riding that we saw last weekend is very rewarding,” said Jonathan. “The lovely thing about this competition is that it draws a real cross section of horses and riders of all different ages and experience levels.

“The quality just gets better and better each year. Riders now tend to be much more established in the basics – with good lines, speed awareness, position and balance – and it is more a case of fine tuning and polishing performances. The competition is a fantastic concept, providing a welcoming and friendly atmosphere and a real learning experience for everyone to enjoy.”

Three heights were contested, with some fantastic rosettes and prizes on offer – including a lesson with a 5* rider for each of the class winners.

Our 2022 Jump Training Winners are:

JT80

1st Bethy Naylor-Davis and MS Houdini

2nd Heidi Ford and ATMS Chacoas Uno

3rd Georgie Spurling and Machno Endeavor

JT80 Champions, Bethy Naylor-Davis and MS Houdini
(Image, Hannah Cole)

Bethy Naylor-Davis’s style marks gave her a commanding lead over her rivals in the JT80 Championship. At just 11 years of age, this is Bethy’s first season of affiliated competition and the format of the Jump Training classes has provided the perfect introduction to competing with BE.

“This competition has been a great start for Bethy as she builds her competition experience and progresses from Pony Club and Riding Club competition into classes with BE,” said her mum, Jenny Naylor-Davis. “I actually won this same Championship at Solihull nine years ago myself, so it is quite special for our family.

“The training element of this competition is great for bringing on young horses and helping young riders like Bethy – it’s not just about racing around; it gets you thinking about style.

“The Winter Series has been brilliant for helping Bethy get going with her BE career. We did some of the Arena Eventing competitions as well as the Jump Training, and she also has the lesson that she has won with Alex Whewall to look forward to. It has given us a great start to the season and has really set everything up well for Bethy to have a go at her first BE80 competition.”

Bethy wins a lesson with Alex Whewall

JT90

1st Isabella Smith and Rincoola Hob Nob

2nd Eleanor Henry and Galileo 7

3rd Giselle Stent and Far West De Riverland

JT90 Champions, Isabella Smith and Rincoola Hob Nob
(Image, Hannah Cole)

The JT90 Championship was a welcome win for Isabella Smith and Rincoola Hob Nob, who are preparing to contest the BE90 Championships at the Voltaire Design Badminton Grassroots Championships in May.

“This is a class I usually enjoy doing with my young horses,” said Isabella. “I find the format of the competition, where the trainer can talk you through various elements of your riding and training, very beneficial when I’m producing young horses.

“Having qualified my older horse for the Grassroots Championships at Badminton this spring, I wanted to do anything I could to give my performance the edge. Getting some early feedback and tips and advice on how I can perform at my best is really useful as we head into the season, especially looking ahead to competing at the Championships. I’m also really looking forward to having the lesson that I have won with Imogen Murray. We don’t normally get access to those top eventers, so it’s very exciting to get this opportunity.

“It’s lovely to win this competition with Rincoola Hob Nob – he had emergency colic surgery at the end of 2020 and I thought I was going to lose him. He has made an excellent recovery and I can’t wait to ride him at Badminton.”

Isabella wins a lesson with Imogen Murray

JT100

1st Mia Jarrett and Master Pocket Rocket

2nd Stephanie Read and Carricos Conquest

3rd Lucinda Eaton and Talent Chocamiceter

JT100 Champions, Mia Jarrett and Master Pocket Rocket
(Image, Hannah Cole)

Mia wins a lesson with Georgie Spence

The final word from our sponsors…

“It has been our pleasure to support the Jump Training Series as our first step into the wonderful world of eventing,” said Maxie Heppell, UK Business Development Director for Elite Equine. “We love how the series blends training with competition and it have been wondering to follow the journies of riders from the qualifiers through to the Championship.  We send our heart felt congratulations to our three new Jump Training Champions and we look forward to catching up with them in the near future.”