The 2017 Summer Regional Championships came to a close on Monday after three days of exciting competition at The College EC in Keysoe, Bedfordshire (12 – 14 August 2017).
Nathan Aston (23) who works for Michel Assouline in Essex secured his first National Championships appearance in the Childéric Saddles Elementary Silver section 2. Partnered by Caroline Church’s Hawtins Sofia (pictured), an eight-year-old mare by San Amour, he was awarded a super score average of 73.49% from judges Mark Ruddock (C), Linda Whetstone (M) and Wendy Filtness (E).
The runner-up position went to Warwickshire rider Sian Nash with Woodcroft Dream Boy who scored 71.77%. This achievement was all the remarkable as just two-and-a-half months ago, Sian was nursing ‘Del’ back to health following a freak horsewalker accident. Thankfully his injuries proved to be superficial and Sian was soon back on track preparing the talented eight-year-old for Keysoe.
Jess Dunn (27) had an exceptional show winning not one, but two regional titles with Jennifer Whittaker’s LG Alicante Valley, a 12-year-old liver chestnut son of Caricello. The pair’s campaign started on Saturday with victory in the Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges Gold on a score of 70.96% relegating Paul Friday to second and third with Rommano Rafiel and Roman Noir Himself.
After a rest day Sunday, Jess and ‘Chello’ went on to take Monday’s Equine Construction Advanced Medium Gold too, with another great score – this time 70.75%, ahead of Lisa Hopkins with Icon Zander on 68.46%. Jess, who learnt her trade in Germany with Wolfram Wittig, has formed a great relationship with the Dutch-bred gelding since she took the ride in 2016. They competed in the Charles Owen Advanced Medium Gold at the NAF Five Star Winter Championships earlier this year, achieving fourth.
The striking chestnut Welsh Cob gelding, Llanidan Socks (Gwenllan Bossy x Synad Robert Black), won the BackinAction Preliminary piloted by 34-year-old Rebecca Buckland from Farndon in Nottinghamshire. This consistent partnership came third in the KBIS Preliminary Silver at the NAF Five Star Winter Championships in April and they have won every class entered since, at both Prelim and Novice.
Caroline Smith and Penhaligon Rockstein were awarded 68.65% from judges Anita Darken (C), Ann Nicell (M) and Susan Staines (E) to win the TopSpec Medium Silver. Owned by Julie Crickmore, he was bought eight years ago as an unbacked three-year-old from the Penhaligon Stud in Wales. The 11-year-old son of Woodlander Rockstar has been partnered by Caroline throughout his competition career and they’re now enjoying success at Advanced Medium. This will be their National Championship debut.
Congratulations to all competitors and qualified combinations, BD looks forward to welcoming you all to the LeMieux National Championships next month. Thanks go to the team at Keysoe for another highly successful Summer Regional Championship.
Regional Champions
BackinAction Preliminary
Rebecca Buckland with Llanidan Socks, 72.41%
Dodson & Horrell Novice Silver
Joanna Cole with Beethovens Aria, 70.74%
Dodson & Horrell Novice Gold
Emma Woolley with Solomon S, 72.53%
Childéric Saddles Elementary Silver section 1
Rob Barker with Iced Vovo, 69.74%
Childéric Saddles Elementary Silver section 2
Nathan Aston with Hawtins Sofia, 73.49%
Childéric Saddles Elementary Gold
Edward Johnson with Destiny I, 71.35%
TopSpec Medium Silver
Caroline Smith with Penhaligon Rockstein, 68.65%
TopSpec Medium Gold
Amy Schiessl with Knoxx’s Figaro, 71.31%
Equine Construction Advanced Medium Silver
Toby Hewlett with DHI Cidando, 69.82%
Equine Construction Advanced Medium Gold
Jessica Dunn with LG Alicante Valley, 70.75%
Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges Gold
Jessica Dunn with Alicante Valley, 70.96%
Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Gold
Kate Cowell with Sirocco, 71.71%
For full results click here.
Photo credit: Hawtins Stud Facebook.