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!
Bev Gibson and Havanna E.L.S : “She got me back into eventing”
Bev Gibson has owned 11-year-old mare Dutch Warmblood mare Havanna for three years and began eventing again in 2021 after an eight-year break. She is over the moon to have qualified for the NAF Five Star BE80 Championships at Bramham.
“Havanna is an ex-showjumper so she hadn’t evented or done any dressage before I got her,” said Bev. “It took a little while to school her up for the dressage, but she is the most amazing showjumper, and jumping her has given my confidence back enough to want to have a go at eventing again.”
The pair took up eventing in 2021 and qualified for the championships last year. “I’m a hobby rider and stable her at my boss’s farm where I work. His wife Zoe Rymer is a professional event rider and trains me. She has encouraged me to take up eventing again, and I’m so glad that I have.
“I’m looking forward to going to Bramham and having fun whatever happens on the day. I came 18th in the qualifier and I didn’t expect to qualify at all, so it was a lovely surprise to realise we had made the list. I’m 56 this year and will probably be one of the oldest riders in the competition, but I hope it gives plenty of other mature riders the boost they need to follow their dreams.”
More information about the Championship and how to qualify for next year can be found here – https://www.britisheventing.com/compete/championships/be80-championship
