A score of 35 saw Emma Lawton and her 14-year-old Irish gelding Mantra, crowned Novice Masters at Allerton Park.
Freelance rider and trainer based in Cheshire, Emma, said of her win: “I have had Mantra, aka Leo, since he was five years old and I have produced him myself up through the levels to 3*. I have been coming to Allerton Park for a few years now as the venue is stunning and the cross-country tracks are so beautiful to ride around.
“I did my first Novice Masters last year with Mantra and we finished fifth, so I had it on my radar again for this year! I feel the Novice Masters is a brilliant series to get involved with as the dressage and show jumping are that bit harder and more technical which makes it all more competitive. This series really suits Mantra as he is always really competitive in the dressage, the bigger show jumping suits him as he has to try harder, yet the cross-country is Novice level which he is really competitive and comfortable at!
“I was shocked to win as I knew we were leading after the dressage, but having the two uncharacteristic poles show jumping dropped us to fifth, however, as I was about to set off cross-country my dad came over to tell me that I was in the lead by 0.1! That gave me the determination to go clear and be inside the time, which we managed to do!
“He deserved to win a Novice Masters and we are very thankful to HorseQuest for their sponsorship of this class! It’s not often that you win a rug or sash nowadays, and this is his first proper winner’s rug! The prize money is pretty amazing too! I’ll be back!”
Sara Bowe and In For The Gin Syndicate’s MHS Glocal Cooley were runners-up with 35.1, while third went to Ross Middleton and Elizabeth Cox’s To Bed With Wren who scored 36.9.
In addition to becoming the Allerton Park Novice Master, Emma also received a HorseQuest rug, numnah, HorseQuest riding socks and a £50 HorseQuest voucher. Sara’s prizes included a HorseQuest numnah, riding socks and a £30 HorseQuest voucher, and Ross received HorseQuest fleece gilet, riding socks and a £20 HorseQuest voucher.
British Eventing would like to thank HorseQuest, title sponsors of the Novice Master Series. For more information on how to place an advert with HorseQuest or to search the current listings of Horses, Ponies & Transport for sale please visit www.horsequest.co.uk
Find more information on the HorseQuest Novice Masters by visiting www.britisheventing.com/novice-masters
As a British Eventing member, you receive 10% off advertising year round with HorseQuest, plus your advert will also feature on the HorseQuest Facebook page. Simply use code BEOP10 at the checkout. Find out more here.
