With three open regional championship titles and five qualifying tickets up for grabs, it made for a busy weekend of competition at Blindley Heath (2) Regional Championships.
There was an open regional championship title on offer at British Eventing (BE) 80, 90 and 100 level, and in the qualifying classes, the BE80 qualifier saw riders aiming for the Bramham grassroots championship, while the BE90 and 100 riders had Badminton grassroot championships firmly in their sights.
The BE100 open regional championship was awarded to Jamie Wright and Sandie Cox’s 14-year-old Kings Master gelding, Master Bluemoon, whose double clear saw them finish on their dressage score of 26.8.
“It was a great course – a traditional, bold, galloping course with decent hedges and it was tough enough for a championship,” said Jamie. “I really enjoyed it.”
Jamie has ridden Master Bluemoon for seven years, and this is their fifth season eventing.
“We did well at novice but then he had a slight injury in the field, so we did pure dressage for a while before returning to eventing, so we dropped him down to BE100 which he is comfortable at,” said Jamie. “It’s nice to have a championship to work towards and focus your season on. He’s now for sale so I’m trying to get some good results with him and find him a lovely home.”
Stephanie McIntosh was the overall winner of the three hotly contested BE90 regional national qualifying classes with her own 10-year-old mare Ballivor Two Oh. The pair finished on their dressage score of 27.8 to land their first ever BE win.
“I’ve had a very frustrating season with near-misses cross country, which has meant it hasn’t gone to plan, so it was amazing that it all finally came together,” said Stephanie who had a 20-year gap from eventing, and only made a come-back last season. “I’m thrilled to have won. They made such a big effort at Blindley Heath with amazing prizes and photos of us on the podiums.”
Stephanie bought ‘Betsy’ four years as an allrounder during ‘a mid-life crisis.’
“She was my 50th birthday present to myself, and she has exceeded all my expectations,” added Stephanie. “It’s the pinnacle of my eventing career and to have a ticket to such an iconic event – everyone has heard of Badminton – is a childhood dream come true. It’s an amazing opportunity for grassroots riders.”
RESULTS
BE100 open regional championship – section Q
1, Jamie Wright and Master Bluemoon (26.8)
2, Laura Gordon and Carramore Boy (31.9)
3, Olivia Fox-Pitt and Violetta II (36.9)
BE90 open regional championship – section D
1, Flora Lickiss and Little Boy Blue 2 (32.6)
BE80 open regional championship – section L
1, Harriet Connor and Queens Cadenza (58.9)
Congratulations to the following riders who finished in the top three of their Regional Championship National Qualifier (RCNQ) class. These classes saw top placed riders (10% of starters) pick up their qualifying tickets for Bramham BE80 championships and the BE90 and BE100 Badminton championships…
BE80 RCNQ for Bramham Grassroots – section M
1, Amy Crosby and Parkchurch Holly Berry (29.3)
2, Louis Raimes and Showtime Longford Lad (30.5)
3, Rachel King and Giovanni (32.4)
BE90 RCNQ for Badminton Grassroots – section A
1, Chloe Marsh and Lathkill Show Off (29)
2, Suzanne Ross and Findatie Bracken (32.2)
3, Clara Ellen Hubbard and Furido J (33.1)
BE90 RCNQ for Badminton Grassroots – section P
1, Jessica Rudkin and Proper Dazzler (28.8)
2, Darcey Bushby and Lickeen Paddy (29.9)
3, Charlie Lee and Oxview Bobbie (30)
BE90 RCNQ for Badminton Grassroots – section A
1, Stephanie McIntosh and Ballivor Two Oh (27.8)
2, Angela Sumner and Free As Air II (29.6)
3, Julie Horton and Topwood Merlin (30)
BE100 RCNQ for Badminton Grassroots – section R
1, Philippa Hendry and Flyer Des Coupeaux (26.5)
2, Alison Roberts and Professor Sprout (28)
3, Stephanie Cresswell and Believe In Blue (29.8)
British Eventing’s Regional Championships not only provide eligible BE members the opportunity to pick up a prized ticket to ride at the NAF Five Star BE80 Championships at Bramham and the Voltaire Design BE90 and BE100 Championships at Badminton, but they also give BE members, including those competing up to BE100 on horses that aren’t eligible to compete at Bramham and Badminton, the chance to aim for a championship and be crowned regional champion.
Up and coming 2023 Regional Championships dates are as follows:
- Frickley Park, South Yorkshire – 18-20 August
- Chillington Hall, Staffordshire – 9-10 September
- Little Downham, Cambridgeshire – 30 September – 1 October
To find out more, visit https://www.britisheventing.com/compete/championships/regional-champs
Images courtesy of Spidge Photography
