Pip Taylor took the final Novice Masters title of the 2022 season at Norton Disney (2) in Lincolnshire on Saturday (23 October) with the 15-year-old gelding Urlanmore Friendly.
The pair finished on their dressage mark of 33.1 to take the top spot, ahead of Noah Brook and Julia’s Smart Option in in second (34.2) and Trudy Johnson and Catch Me If You Can (35) in third.
The final Masters competition of the year proved to be quite a thriller, with the result going right down to the wire. Trudy, winner of the Little Downham Novice Master title back in August, had held the lead throughout the dressage and show jumping phases but added just a few cross country time faults on the cross country test, opening the door slightly for those hot on her heels. Pip and and Urlanmore Friendly rose to the challenge, delivering one of just two clears inside the time – the other came from Sara Chittleburgh and Swiss Maid, who finished in fourth.
Our top three at Norton Disney – Pip Taylor, Noah Brook and Trudy Johnson
“I’m still pinching myself! I never would have guessed it,” said Pip of the win. “We loved Norton Disney and it was super to have such great ground at the end of the day, we hadn’t been before and were impressed by the course.
I’ve done the Novice Masters once before and it’s such a well organised event – great prizes and sponsors too! It was great to see that the eventual scores didn’t go on the dressage, makes for a more exciting event and one I can be competitive in!
“Moss has always been an incredible cross country horse and Saturday was no exception. We’ve worked lots on the dressage and show jumping this season with Debbie Edmundson, without whom I wouldn’t be getting these results. Getting the only FOD score was really special to me as we’ve had ups and downs this season in each phase.
“A massive thanks to my parents for all of their help and support as I’m a full-time student and I couldn’t do any of this without them, and I’m so lucky that my Mum, Julia, comes to all of my events with me. I’m just over the moon and looking forward to some team chasing on Moss in a fortnight!”
In addition to the honour of becoming the Norton Disney Novice Master, Pip also received a whole host of wonderful prizes, including a HorseQuest winner’s rug, EHOA sponsored crystal decanter and championship rosette, British Eventing winner’s sash and rosette and prize bundles from both Bates Saddles and HorseQuest.
There was plenty for everyone to take home, with the top placed riders receiving further rosettes and prizes and each competitor that took part being given a stable plaque bearing all sponsors names and a passport cover from HorseQuest.
The top six riders also earned themselves a ticket for the ‘Masters’ Big Prize Draw! The draw will take place now all the Novice and Intermediate Masters legs are complete (more news to follow!), with the overall winner receiving a year’s British Eventing membership for horse and rider, a year’s feed for one horse from Baileys and a £500 voucher from Jump for Joy. A runner up will also receive a £500 Jump for Joy voucher.
Our Top Six at Norton Disney, each receiving a ticket (or two in the case of Noah) are:
- Pip Taylor and Urlanmore Friendly (33.1)
- Noah Brook and Julia’s Smart Option (34.2)
- Trudy Johnson and Catch Me If U Can (35)
- Sara Chittleburgh and Swiss Maid (37.1)
- Noah Brook and Komiek (40.9)
- Teri Rudkin and Direct Emperor (42)
There were also a number of special awards presented by BETTALIFE, where the winner will be sent 1kg of PharmaPRO Total Equine Support:
Best dressage – Trudy Johnson and Catch Me If U Can
Highest climber – Pip Taylor and Urlanmore Friendly
Highest placed veteran – Trudy Johnson and Catch Me If U Can
Combination closest to the optimum time on the cross country – Noah Brook and Julia’s Smart Option
The Masters are supported by the British Eventing partnership with funding from sponsors and partners including Baileys Horse Feeds, Bates Saddles, Bettalife, the EHOAand HorseQuest providing the prize money and prizes for the Novice Masters and Intermediate Masters Series, with further generous support from Jump 4 Joy in respect of the prize draw.
