British Eventing’s inaugural Regional Championship took place on Saturday 5 August at Port Eliot Horse Trials in Cornwall.
With four qualifiers and the British Eventing (BE)90 regional championship title up for grabs, it was all to play for in the South West region.
A solid double clear saw Lizzie Luxton crowned the 90cm Open Regional Champion aboard her mother Sandy’s 10-year-old gelding Krack On. The pair stayed on their dressage score of 27.6 to finish convincingly in first place by over 7 points.
“It was lovely to win because he’s my mum’s horse and a homebred, so it means a lot to us both,” said Lizzie of the gelding by Wolkenderry out of their mare Amourette V. “I really enjoyed Port Eliot – it was an event that rewarded you if you and your horse were fit. It wasn’t overly tough, but when you take into account the terrain, it was definitely a test. They always do a great job there, and put a lot of effort in.”
‘Bernie’ is out of a mare that Lizzie and Sandy bought from Tamsyn Hutchins, the organiser of Port Eliot.
“He is pretty easy and steady, so a great allrounder, and we like having him about,” said Lizzie. “He’s mum’s hack and I event him. I’d like to have a go at novice with him now.”
Second in the BE90 Regional Championship was Erin Alys Marriott and Hardy Warrior who added just 2.4 cross country time faults to their otherwise double clear to finish on a score of 34.8, while Louise Evripides and Direct Showman added four faults show jumping to their 32.4 dressage for a score of 36.4 which saw them claim third place.
Port Eliot organiser Tamsyn Hutchins said of the event: “It was hard work due to the strong gusty winds in the afternoon, but we held on and I was really proud of the fantastic team who worked so hard to make it such a successful day. The Regional Championships are a great opportunity for people to qualify for prestigious Badminton and Bramham, but also for those who aren’t eligible to have something to aim for.”
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 Championships – Sec E
1, Tamzin Ferguson and Santorini (32.8)
2, Tabitha Stephenson and Tullibards Magical Ocean (40)
3, Charlotte Bellamy and Gorfelyn Peter The Great (51.5)
BE90 RCNQ for Badminton Grassroots Championships– Sec C
1, Florence Legg and Kellough Pride (29.9)
2, Tinks Walker and Mochulla Boy (31.3)
3, Michelle Northmore and Trevanna Larry (33)
BE90 RCNQ for Badminton Grassroots Championships – Sec D
1, Tinks Walker and Lily Potter (32.3)
2, Annabel Mason and Creevagh Charm (33.9)
3, Madeline Reader-Smith and Rocky XI (34.9)
BE100 RCNQ for Badminton Grassroots Championships – Sec J
1, Bella Stevens and Totally Worth It (27.8)
2, Jane Rogers and Corrieview Oscar (28.4)
3, Jane Rogers and Corrieview Merlin Magic (29)
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:
- Blindley Heath, Lingfield, Surrey – 12-13 August
- Hopetoun, West Lothian – 12-13 August
- 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
Image courtesy of ESP Photographic
