Alongside the international competition at Osberton International, riders had the opportunity to showcase their talented young horses in the six- and seven-year-old The Howden Way Young Horse classes.
It was Katie Magee who was crowned the winner of the seven-year-old Young Horse class riding Lady Sharon Parnaby’s Cushlas Indigo. The pair added 5.2 cross-country time penalties to their 29.8 dressage for a total winning score of 35.
“Indy is a really lovely horse,” said Katie of the Imperial Heights gelding. “He’s been very straightforward to produce and we’re especially pleased with how he’s stepped up to intermediate. He’s really nippy and adjustable cross-country, so Osberton suited him perfectly and it’s a great addition to the spring calendar.
“Indy heads to the 2* at Chatsworth and then Belsay, before stepping up to 3* with the hope of looking towards Le Lion.”
Michael Jackson finished second riding his own, Heather Bell and Gwen Meacham’s Girls Gamble, while Tom McEwen landed third with Hilary Kennedy, Alison Mcewen, Jacqui Erskine Crum and Philippa Knight’s Kilcannon Mischief.
Six-year-old class
Max Warburton once again delivered a stellar performance with Harriet Wright’s MBF Up North to secure the win in the six-year-old series, running over Osberton’s new Novice track. The combination is yet to finish outside of the top six as a partnership, and have consistently produced flawless cross-country rounds in what has been a busy Spring season.
Of the win, Max Warburton commented: “He’s a lovely horse and has been so consistent this year already. I’m riding him for Harriet who’s just had a baby girl, so hoping I can keep him a good bit longer before she wants to steal him back!”
Warburton, who this week heads to Badminton to make his CCI5* debut, added: “We only bought him in March and he’s very green, and probably wasn’t quite ready to go but he’s got a great brain and is so talented. He’s a super athletic type and we’re very excited to have him going to Badminton.”
Eliza Bell and her own, Susan Kerfoot, Michael Sandell and Georgina Stoddart’s Stellar Sky were runners up, finishing on a score of 31.3. while Flora Harris and Richard and Cindy Onslow’s Cillbhrid Mable took third om 34.1.
The series, supported by The Howden Way, is an ideal opportunity for riders to expose their up-and-coming eventers to the atmosphere of bigger venues, while competing against other horses of the same age. The classes offer recognition for the highest performing horses in these classes.
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, and the 7-year-old classes running at intermediate level.
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.
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 2024 Young Horse Championships take place at Cornbury House Horse Trials in Oxfordshire between 12-15 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 six-year-olds and a CCI3*-L World Championship for seven-year-olds.
