Following their 2* success at Bicton International in May, Phoebe Locke and Renkum Jitterbug continued their run of good form to land The Howden-Way 7-year-old title at Upton House.
The pair added just 2.4 cross country time penalties to their 32.5 dressage to finish on a total score of 34.9. Phoebe has owned the gelding by Baloubet Junior Z since a five-year-old and recently enjoyed fourth in their first 3* at Avenches.
“He has surpassed all expectations,” said Phoebe. “He jumps for fun and has improved no end this season, really maturing. It was my first visit to Upton House and I thought it was a great venue with great courses, so I will definitely go back.”
Phoebe hopes to aim Jitterbug at the World Championships for 7-year-olds.
“I think the 7-year-old classes are a great way to showcase a young horses’ talent and also have the same age horses competing on a level playing field,” she added.
Second was Matthew Hecking and Starman III who earned a 28.9 dressage, had four faults show jumping and added 4 cross country time penalties to finish on 36.9.
Third was Izzy Taylor and Bayaanaat who scored 28.4 in the dressage, and added eight faults show jumping and 1.2 time across country to finish on 37.6.
The Young Horse leagues are a great way to expose promising event horses to bigger atmospheres, while benchmarking them against others of the same age, while offering recognition for the highest performing horses in these classes.
Supported by The Howden Way, the top three in each class receive an additional £250, £150, £100 respectively on top of the prize money already generated and awarded by the prize money calculator.
The Young Horse classes take place throughout the spring and summer in some of BE’s most stunning venues, with the 6-year-old classes running at novice level, while the 7-year-old classes is run at intermediate level.
For dates of the young horse classes this year, please click here
Alongside these classes, the performance of young horses competing with British Eventing is acknowledged within The Howden Way Young Horse Leagues which can be found here. There are four leagues which cover the ages of 5 years, 6 years, 7 years and then the ages of 8 & 9 combined. The leagues display the average of a horse’s three best finishing scores via a Power Based Average score which highlights the ability to repeatedly finish on a low score.
The 2023 Young Horse Championships take place at Cornbury House Horse Trials in Oxfordshire between 7-10 September. The classes will also benefit those aiming their young horses at the FEI World Breeding Championships at Le Lion d’Angers, which hosts a CCI2*-L World Championship for 6-year-olds and a CCI3*-L World Championship for 7-year-olds.
Image courtesy of Matt Nuttall Photography
