Returning for a second year the Kent & Masters My Quest National Finals lit up Bury Farm EC last week (27 October). 165 combinations travelled to the Buckinghamshire venue to contest the event which features tests from Introductory to Novice level with two sections for Open riders and Under 18s.
Highest scorer amongst the Under 18 category was Novice title winner Sophie Truswell with Foxcourt Tell Tale. The seven-year-old British bred gelding stormed to 71.67% in a hot class judged by Jo Black, Sara Jane Lanning and Gill Sandom. Eighteen-year-old Sophie, from Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, began riding at the age of four at her local riding school; since then she has gone on to enjoy much success both in and outside of the white boards including being a recipient of the Young Equestrian Leaders Award (YELA) in 2015.
Another young winner at the My Quest finals was 16-year-old Megan Maclean who won the U18 Introductory with her mother Joanna’s Irish mare Wingspan. Riding a supreme test aboard the Pacino sired six-year-old, Megan earned the sole plus 70% score in her 25 strong class. Second place went to Ella Morris (14) with Twiggy T whilst Lisa Smart (11) and Penllyn Mystique took third.
The Prelim spoils went to Anaya Stewart with Rolo III who scored 71.54%. Anaya made the journey from Llaniswen, Cardiff to contest the MyQuest finals; the trip certainly paid off for the Welsh rider who has been competing her dark bay gelding Rolo in Quest competitions since 2015.
In the Open sections experience proved beneficial as the 14-year-old Dutch mare Wendelino MH showed her skills with Rachel Littlewood in the saddle steering the combination to Novice success. The partnership of four years performed a delightful test to impress the judges and earn themselves 70.63%. Alongside their individual campaign at Bury Farm the duo took part in the Kent & Masters Team Quest Championships where they represented team Apple Tarts from Pickering Grange Equestrian. It’s been a great couple of months for Rachel and ‘Lenny’ who have also qualified for the Novice PetPlan Equine Championships next year having placed second in the Field House Area Festival Finals in September.
The Open Prelim was won by Tina Smith (pictured) with Gunstone Maybe on 71.79%. The six-year-old black mare known as ‘May’ was bred by Samantha Fish of Gunstone Hall Equestrian and purchased by Tina three years ago.
Winning the Introductory title was West Midlands rider Abi Pilbrow with her own Mirage II. The pair were the second last combination to trot up the centre line and took the win from long-time leader Charlotte Handley with the 13.2hh Welsh bred Synod Rain Dancer, third place went to Alexandra Clements whilst Natalie Webb and Charlotte Damary-Homan completed the top five.
Congratulations to all competitors who took part in the My Quest finals. Thanks go to super Championship sponsors Kent & Masters as well as the staff, judges, and volunteers at Bury Farm EC for a thrilling day of competition.
Results
Open Introductory A
1st Abi Pilbrow with Mirage II, 71.09%
Open Preliminary 18
1st Tina Smith with Gunstone Maybe, 71.79%
Open Novice 28
1st Rachel Littlewood with Wendelino MH, 70.63%
U18 Introductory A
1st Megan Maclean with Wingspan, 70.22%
U18 Preliminary 18
1st Anaya Stewart with Rolo III, 71.54%
U18 Novice 28
1st Sophie Truswell with Foxcourt Tell Tale, 71.67%
For full results click here
To find out more about how to get involved in My Quest and Team Quest head on over to the Team Quest webpage or the Team Quest Facebook page.