To celebrate the opening of entries for the NAF Five Star BE80 Championships at Bramham International Horse Trials, we’ve caught up with three intrepid qualified riders to find out what they are most looking forward to at this year’s event.
If you have qualified for this year’s Championship, taking place on 6-8 June, don’t miss your chance to join the fun – entries are now open!
Lydia Taylor and Faliduff Magic: “We didn’t think he’d aspire to much”
Law student Lydia Taylor thought her chances of qualifying for the NAF Five Star BE80 Championships at Bramham were over when her own horses suffered injuries, but then her sister’s Connemara pony Faliduff Magic aka Scott stepped in to help fulfil her ambition.
“We bought him from Ireland when he was 10 in 2016 for my younger sister,” explained Lydia. “He was meant to be 13hh but was more like 14.1hh when he arrived, and he was so naughty that every time we took him out competing, he’d drop a shoulder and have her straight off. We didn’t think he’d aspire to much because of how naughty he was.
“I had a couple of horses of my own who I evented but one had an injury and while he was recovering, I decided to have ago at eventing Scott and he took to it like a duck to water. He was amazing and has gone from strength to strength.”
Lydia explained how Scott struggled with the dressage, but after lots of hard work, the pair are now enjoying good results.
“This time last year, I heard about the Bramham BE80 Championships, and because he is very comfortable at that level, I thought I’d aim him for that instead of Badminton. We went to Firle and got his qualification, so we’re all really excited to be going. We never thought he’d be able to do it but he’s definitely found his thing.
“I’ve never been to a championship before, so I’m really excited especially as it’s running alongside the four-star. We’re hoping to stay for the whole weekend and are really excited for the atmosphere. I want to be competitive so I’m putting a lot of effort in to my dressage training which has always been his weakest phase.”
More information about the Championship and how to qualify for next year can be found here – https://www.britisheventing.com/compete/championships/be80-championship
