A fabulous weekend of exciting competition and celebrations over the Queen’s Jubilee Weekend
Olympic Gold Medallist Oliver Townend and GB Team Rider Izzy Taylor joined popular local and Scottish competitors Ian Stark, Emma Hobday and Jack Mantel to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere at Belsay International Horse Trials last weekend where a plethora of high level competition combined with celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
There was much excitement surrounding the big classes at this hugely popular International Fixture – the British Pony Championship, the CCI2* Long Format for Juniors and the CCI2* Short Format competition for seniors, the first leg of the big money prize league CCI2*-S Northumberland Challenge. The weather held well and overnight rain on Thursday ensured perfect ground conditions for the cross country.
Organisers were delighted with visitor numbers during a busy weekend which also included the Northumberland County Show and a host of other local Jubilee events. Belsay’s loyal sponsors were out in force to support the event led by title sponsor Barbour and Dame Margaret Barbour was delighted to make the Royal Toast to Her Majesty the Queen on Saturday.
The International classes began with ‘Trot Up’ and First Horse Inspection on Wednesday in front of the beautiful backdrop of the Belsay Hall Stables and Clock Tower. Dressage for the Internationals took place on Wednesday and Thursday, with Cross Country on Friday and Show Jumping on Saturday. National Classes, from Intermediate to BE90 ran on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Former Olympic Medallist and British Team Stalwart Tina Cook led a Course Walk on Thursday afternoon to raise awareness and money for the British Eventing Support Trust, a new initiative modelled on the Injured Jockey Fund, which aims to help riders through difficult times, whether recovering from an accident or dealing with mental health issues. Belsay also raised funds for the humanitarian relief fund organised by British Equestrians for Ukraine. With raffles and auctions as well, more than £3,000 was raised over the weekend to be split between the two charities.
Alongside the main action in the Womble Bond Dickinson International Arena, the Castle and Hall Arenas hosted National Equestrian Association Show Jumping on Friday, the British Pony Association’s Working Hunter Pony Show on Saturday with Arena Eventing, Young Horse Performance Classes and the Inter Hunt Relay Competition on Sunday. The Belsay Dog Show was also a huge success attracting big entries and raising more than £800 for the Newcastle Cats and Dog Shelter. Border Reiver Archers were also in attendance alongside a fun fair and a good number of trade stands including Barbour stockist Sanderson’s of Morpeth.
Laura de Wesselow, Organiser of Belsay International Horse Trials said: “We are thrilled that the event was such a success. I would like to say a huge thank you to all our sponsors, competitors and trade stands who support the event but most of all to the huge army of volunteers that give up their time to give everyone such a fantastic experience here at beautiful Belsay!”.
Erin Jennings and Night Fury are crowned British National Pony Champions
Of all the partnerships to come forward for the British Pony Championship (for riders aged 14-16 years riding ponies of 14hh-14.2hh), Erin Jennings and Night Fury added nothing to their 26.6 penalty dressage score to take the title ahead of Lucy Baguley and the Stallion Glencarrig Dolphin (27.5) with Charlotte Cooke and Liscannor Tulira taking the third place podium spot on a score of 29.4.
These riders and other well place partnerships at Belsay will now be on a long list for the GB squad competing in the European Pony Championships in Strzegom in Poland at the end of August and head to Barbury International in early July for a final trial. The British Pony Championship at Belsay was supported by Project Pony, a new initiative which aims to give young talent a chance in the sport of eventing.
Oliver Townend Wins First Leg of Northumberland CCI2*-S Challenge
It was Oliver Townend’s first visit to Belsay International and he got what he came for, with a win in the first leg of the big prize money pot CCI2*-S Northumberland Challenge riding Sir John Peace’s En Taro Des Vernier. Scotland’s Wils Oakden took second place on Eluna, owned by Arianne Finley, with Amy Simpson joining them on the podium for third with her own Hero RHF.
Yorkshire’s James Rushbrooke took fourth with Always on My Mind, while Holland’s Nina de Haas who is based in the UK with Dutch team trainer and rider Andrew Heffernan in Cheshire took fifth place with JVK Mr Maguire. Oliver Townend was sixth with one of his other rides Dolmen Debenture, which led after the dressage phase.
Generously sponsored by A.W. Jenkinson Forest Products, a total of 98 horse and rider combinations had entered the CCI2*-S Challenge at Belsay, which runs across Alnwick Ford and Burgham International Horse Trials to offer horse and rider combinations entering the class at all three venues the opportunity to win up to £22,000 in 2022.*
A stirring Victory for Isabelle Cook in the CCI2*-L for Juniors
There were emotional scenes at Belsay as Isabelle Cook won the CCI2*-L for Juniors on Mexican Law, a horse her mother Tina Cook previously competed for owner Jim Chromiak. Isabelle was in first and second spot after the Dressage and Cross Country phases on Mexican Law and her second ride, Mexican Rose but the latter was unable to complete having pulled a muscle cross country. It was Sussex based Isabelle’s second year riding in this competition at Belsay, having finished 7th and 14th here in 2021.
Second place went to Jasmine Underwood and her own Indian Girl G with Beatrice Montgomerie and Monbeg by Magic coming third. Partnerships came from all over the country to take part in this important trial for the GB Squad for the Junior European Eventing Championships (riders aged 18 years and under riding horses) which will take place at Hartpury in Gloucestershire at the end of July. Durham based Olivia Grahame was 8th on A Tale of Two Shivers, owned by Sara Burdess.
Adam Morgan Masters the Intermediates
Adam Morgan took the honours in the new BE national class – the Intermediate Masters Series – riding his own ManFriday, finishing on a score of 32.1. Isabel White was second on Quite Something with Sophie Barlow third on Rock N Roll de Buissy. Scotland’s Douglas Crawford came 4th on Shadow Lad while local rider, Jack Mantel, based in Belsay, took fourth and fifth with Jack Thomas Watson’s Jack Daniels and Ivanhoe.
Jack Mantel also scooped second (on Rock N Roll Star co-owned by Belsay Organiser Laura de Wesselow) and fourth (on Aughmore Conclover Jade) in Intermediate Section D, sponsored by Lycetts Insurance Brokers, long time supporters of Belsay International. The winner was Hazel Towers on Cherie V Overis Z.
French International Rider, Victor Burtin, currently based in the UK with Oliver Townend, took the top spot in Open Intermediate Section F, sponsored by Bellway Homes. Second was Michael Broadley on Azerley Donald and third, Scotland’s Louisa Milne Home on Carrow Iroko, with Belsay rider Xanthe de Wesselow fourth on her mother Laura’s Wil she Ever.
Northerners Top the Novice Sections
Clear Show Jumping Rounds were difficult to come by in the Novice Sections on Saturday but 15 year old Durham based Ruby Thompson did well to win the Ryecroft Glenton sponsored Novice Section N, on Smilla IV. Northumberland’s Emily Orpwood was second on Ballingowan Flash with Yorkshire’s Katie Magee third on Agadir Gano. Local Kirkley based rider Francesca Richardson was fourth with CSF Rocky. Novice Section O, sponsored by Galbraith, was won by Yorkshire’s Lucy Sugden on Zorro B. Cheshire’s Ellie Healy was second on Balladeer Just for Kicks and Issy Saxby also from Yorkshire was third on Omard Hawaii Five O.
Scotland’s Stephanie Oakden took the honours in the Intermediate Novice Section M, sponsored by The Apartment Group, riding Cooley Amigo. Second was Lillie Barnett on Welham Mile High and third was Annie Broad on Enrosewood Show Girl.
Grass Roots Classes – BE100 and BE90
Local riders also dominated the BE100 and BE90 Sections. BE100 Section G, sponsored by Brewin Dolphin was won by Kerry Dicken riding Bullfinch but Emma Hobday was 2nd on Montpelier Scais and Lucy Walby from Capheaton was 5th on KIRR Royal Hof Ter Zeedycke and Belsay’s Xanthe de Wesselow on Wexfo Flying Angel 6th.
As well as lifting the title in the NIS Construction BE90 Section Q on Upper Limit, Yorkshire’s Sara Bowe won JR Holland sponsored BE100 Section H on Captain Morgan G Z, Felton based Sebastian Roldan Olivera was 4th on Rehy Volunteer and Emma Hobday was 5th on Jubilated Zelma. Emma also won BE100 Section K, sponsored by Eco Voltz Electric Bikes with Jay Rider McKay’s Geneva Van de Vallei.
Boys came to the fore in the BE90 Section T, sponsored by North Acomb Farm Shop with local Riders Stephen Rankin, Sebastian Roldan Olivera and Mark Jackson taking the top three spots; while owner riders headed BE90 Sections R and S, Claire Norton and Emily Lawson taking the wins there.
The Youth classes BE100 under 18 and BE90 under 18 were closely fought. Isobel McTaggart took the win in BE100 open u18 Section I sponsored by Queen Margaret’s School while Zurie Dempster came first in the Saracens Sponsored BE100 open u18 section J. Novice Winner Ruby Thompson also triumphed in the BE90 under 18 Section P riding Penstrumbly Calon Lan.
Inter-Hunt Relay
The Tynedale Hunt won the Inter Hunt Relay with their fabulous team of Craig Steel (Quad bike Rider from Kirkwhelpington), Charles Carr from Acomb village, Abbie Foster from Wall and Anna Cowperthwaite from Belsay. The Percy Hunt was second and North Tyne were third. The other hunts competing were Braes of Derwent, Morpeth A and Morpeth B, the Haydon, Dumfriesshire and Stewartry and the Vale of Lune,
