The British Riding Clubs/Animalife National Horse Trials Championships proved a huge success, as riders from a wide range of ages and levels competed at Swalcliffe Park Equestrian centre in Oxfordshire (5-7 August).
The competition, which is run over three days, saw more than 500 riders experience a full event format. Competitors could take part in either the HT 80 one-day event, HT 90 two-day event, HT 100 or HT 100+ three-day event.
Nine-year-old Ruby Thompson from North Ryedale RC in North Yorkshire was crowned the individual Junior Champion in the HT 80 class with her pony Castee Quailer Tottie.
In contrast, Johnny Hustler and his mount Ich Heisse Peanut, had a combined age of 76 years. The pair helped secure victory for their Carleton RC team in what was to be the rider’s final BRC Championship.
“I could not have dreamt of this day, something truly memorable for us both to go out on such a high,” said Johnny.
Along with Petronella Jameson from the Worshipful Company of Saddlers and Sue Davis from Animalife, Horse and Country TV’s Managing Director, Richard Burdett was on hand to help present the Under 18 riders with their prizes.
Title sponsors Animalife were again delighted to be involved. “There is always a true sense of team spirit at these Championships reinforcing our own Team Animalife approach to working with grassroots riders,” said Managing Director, Ross Riley.