Two youth riders made their mark at Kelsall Hill International, landing top ten placings in the 3* and 2* classes which also acted as observation trials for youth selectors.
Holly Clarke was the highest-placed Young Rider finishing in fourth place in the 3* riding her mother Alex Clarke’s 10-year-old British gelding Nico. The pair added just a few time penalties cross-country and show jumping to their 30.2 dressage to finish with a score of 31.4.
Holly commented: “I have been riding Nico for four years now, we started at BE90 together and now we are working towards the Young Rider 3* L at Bicton. He is a talented little horse who tries his heart out and loves his job. I was really pleased with how easily Nico jumped out of his rhythm and stride over the sizeable fences across country. Our next run is at Osberton in the 3* S, followed by Bicton. I look forward to the rest of season with him.”
2* success
Holly Law was the highest-placed Junior when finishing seventh in the 2* riding her 14-year-old home-bred gelding Wishing Time, owned by Rachel White and Philippa Herbert. The pair finished on their dressage score of 31.7 after two clear rounds.
“It went really well,” commented Holly. “He was really good in the dressage and did a lovely test. He’s got flashy front legs but sometimes his hind engagement isn’t as good, but we’ve been working on our medium trot and making sure his hindlegs keep up with his front legs and it went really well in the test. He was clear in both jumping phases. In the show jumping he can get a bit quick, so I’ve been working on keep him round and over his back, and he jumped really well, even when he got a bit quick through the double. He’s always brilliant cross-country. I’d love to get on the Junior European team with him this year.”
British Eventing Youth Performance Coach Christie Wright said: “The juniors and young riders produced some stunning dressage tests at Kelsall Hill, to be lying at the top of the leader board in the 2* & 3* sections. With some impressive show jumping in the main arena and some super cross-country riding round the flowing undulating tracks, there were many good placings in both sections.”
For further information on British Eventing Youth Eventing, please visit: https://www.britisheventing.com/compete/youth-eventing
