Bicton hosted one of two Regional Championships running this weekend, which saw riders aiming for the Bramham grassroots championship, while riders with Badminton grassroot championships in their sights contested the BE90 RCNQ and BE100 RCNQ.
Susan Bill’s double clear saw her claim the BE80 RCNQ. She said: “I was thrilled today to get the win. She is a super consistent mare. It’s always a treat to compete at Bicton as it feels like an occasion show jumping in the main arena. What was really influential and enjoyable I think, was it was a long cross-country course of 6:40 minutes – with several big climbs. She enjoyed it but had definitely worked hard! It was fantastic how efficient the Bicton team were with results and prize giving – it makes such a difference when you have a long journey. The icing on the cake was the amazing generosity of the sponsors – beautiful sashes and rosettes, it was amazing.”
The BE90 RCNQ was split into two sections. Susanna Morris and Breeogue Breeze were victorious in section E, finishing on their dressage score of 28. Susanna commented: “It was completely unexpected – Breeze managed to pull a front shoe off in the stable on Friday night, so we were just pleased to even be trotting down the centre line! Having moved to Dorset in December, this was the only qualifier I was going to be able to get to, so was hoping it would go ok. He has been so consistent this year (1st Kingston Maurward, 2nd at Tweseldown) so I was just praying that I wouldn’t make a stupid mistake and let him down. With me being 60 next year I have only got limited time!”
Suzanne Ross and Findatie Bracken’s double clear earned them section D with a score of 29.5 She said: “After competing at our first Badminton Grassroots in May this year, I was desperate to qualify again to relive the experience, so it was fantastic to finish at the top of the leaderboard at Bicton. Bracken is my horse of a life time, she absolutely loves competing and she is so consistent – she was foot perfect this weekend so I was delighted that she got the result she deserved! I am so thankful to my fabulous trainer (& sister) Colina Pickles, who goes above and beyond to ensure we are prepped for these important competitions. I think Bicton was a brilliant choice for a regional championships venue. The organisers made such an effort to make the event feel like a prestigious competition with atmospheric (super flat) dressage arenas, a technical showjumping track, a proper galloping cross-country course, some amazing sponsors, brilliant prizes and a podium – it really did tick all the boxes for us grassroots competitors.”
In the BE100 RCNQ ranks, Bella Stevens and Totally Worth It landed section J with a score of 30.5, while Jenny Daniels and Firecracker Orbit scored 31 for a win in section K.
Bella said of her win: “It was an amazing day, and I’m thrilled with our win in the RCNQ BE100. Competing at Bicton is always special, and to win here while qualifying for Badminton Grassroots is an achievement we will never forget. Tommy, my horse [Totally Worth It], was fantastic and really performed in every phase. It all came together perfectly, and that feeling of everything clicking is just incredible and so rewarding. A big thank you to Colne Saddlery for their support this season and to my wonderful coaches, Ella Hitchman, Lucy Jackson, and Caron Roberts, for their guidance. I’m also incredibly grateful to my parents for their unwavering support. A special thank you to Andrew Fell and Helen West for running yet another fantastic event at Bicton. But the biggest thank you goes to Tommy, for giving his all today and making this win happen.”
Jenny commented: “This was our first British Eventing win, so it is very special to me! It was a complete shock when we finished the cross-country to find out we had won. We have been spending a lot of time training and progressing our partnership, and today I feel it all came together. I can’t thank all the people who have helped me get here enough, none of this would be possible without them!”
Congratulations to all our winners and riders at Bicton.
RESULTS
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 pick up their qualifying tickets for Bramham BE80 championships and the BE90 and BE100 Badminton championships…
BE80 RCNQ for Bramham Grassroots – section L
1, Susan Bill and Unnamed (28)
2, Philippa Skelton and Brian Boru III (29.8)
3, Millie Bloomfield and Longslade Grenadier (30)
BE90 RCNQ for Badminton Grassroots – section D
1, Suzanne Ross and Findatie Bracken (29.5)
2, Veronica Owings and Annaghmore Lad (29.8
3, April Joynson and Crosskeys Boy (29.8)
BE90 RCNQ for Badminton Grassroots – section E
1, Susanna Morris and Breeogue Breeze (28)
2, Harvey Crocker and Burley Mystic (28.3)
3, Jessica Thomas and Quality Step On (30.3
BE100 RCNQ for Badminton Grassroots – section J
1, Bella Stevens and Totally Worth It (30.5)
2, Lydia Stuart and Saunderscourt Furistos (31.8)
3, Nicola Horsley-Gubbins and Rathnagrew Grey Tex (33.8)
BE100 RCNQ for Badminton Grassroots – section K
1, Jenny Daniels and Firecracker Orbit (31)
2, Bizzy Loffet and No More Crossroads (32.1)
3, Annie Berry and Swanview Delta Dawn (32.2)
Up and coming 2024 Regional Championships dates are as follows:
- Blindley Heath (2) – 10-11 August
- Frickley Park – 16-18 August
- Chillington Hall – 14-15 September
- Little Downham, Cambridgeshire – 5 – 6 October
To find out more, visit https://www.britisheventing.com/compete/championships/regional-champs
Images courtesy of ESP-Photographic
