A bumper crowd and sunshine greeted riders in the international classes, kindly sponsored by Hopkins Estates and Kingsland Land and Property Agents, at Nunney Horse Trials, where 19-year-old Jasmine Underwood won the CCI-S3* riding her own Indian Girl G. Organisers at the popular event had worked hard over the course of the competition, moving fences onto better ground after a deluge of heavy rain on Friday and Saturday, and harrowing the show jumping arena to provide the best possible going.
Bridget Parker, who heads up the team at Nunney, said: “We haven’t seen rain like it before at Nunney. It was so wet, but the ground held up really well and we had a contingency plan to move portable fences. In the end, everything ran remarkably smoothly and it was another super competition, with lots of great riding on show, and some younger riders taking the top honours in our international classes.”
At just 19 years old, Jasmine, from Worcestershire, was one of the youngest riders in her class, but she oozes class and ability. Her super dressage score of 33.6 and a clear show jumping round put them in a strong position going into the cross-country. With the time tight, Jasmine knew she had to kick on, and she added just 4.4 time penalties to her score to finish on 38. She said: “I had to go from the beginning because no one was getting the time, but I knew all my lines and she’s great across country. She always looks for the flags and holds her line.”
The combination has built up an incredible partnership, winning team gold at the Junior Europeans in 2022 and silver in 2023. The aim this year is the Young Rider Europeans in Poland, and if that plan doesn’t come off, they’ll step up to advanced and 4*. “It’s been a brilliant weekend as we brought three horses and they all jumped double clear. I can’t believe it,” said Jasmine, who works for her dad Nigel, owner of Jump 4 Joy, a leading showjumping manufacturer based in Worcestershire. Jasmine only started riding when she was 12 years old, but her huge talent is standing her in good stead, and she hopes to continue riding on the biggest stage.
After scoring a solid dressage test which earned them a score of 28.3, Anna Johannson and the seven-year-old Moriarty were foot-perfect in the showjumping and cross-country to stay at the head of the leaderboard and win the CCI-S2*. It was the first international class for Devon-based Moriarty and Anna, who trains with Carl Hester and Mandy Frost, with the gelding proving scopey and adjustable across country to finish within the time. “He wouldn’t be the fastest in a straight line as he’s only got little legs and is 16.1hh at a push, but he’s so adjustable you can just keep him going at every fence,” said Anna, who spent last season building his confidence over the solid obstacles. “It’s only been his last couple of outings that I’ve been able to put the pedal down a bit,” she said, adding, “Last year we were in the BE100 here and he darted out at the second fence, so we had to circle. He was brilliant today. I knew I had to go for the time if I wanted to be competitive, and he was brilliant.”
The success was all the more special for Anna, who rode Moriarty’s dam, Moonlight, and who dedicated the win to her father Chris, a renowned West Country vet and Anna’s number one supporter. “It was the best Father’s Day present. I really wanted to do well for Dad today, and we managed it. It’s been fantastic!” she said.
Oscar Fitzgerald was victorious in the CCI-SJ2* riding the 15-year-old gelding Penhill Touch of Class, posting a double clear to finish on the dressage score of 30.6. Oscar, whose dad is former top jump jockey turned racing pundit Mick, also headed the ONu18 class riding Super Cillious.
The event was held at Southfield House, Whatley, by kind permission of Mrs Angela Yeoman.
For full results, click here
Release supplied by event.
