Eventers headed to Hartpury College this weekend for the finals of the Baileys Horse Feeds Jumping and Style (JAS) series (22 Febuary).
BE90 final
In the BE90 section, defending champion Heidi Coy from Melton Mowbray won the title for the second year running, this time riding Riversdale Magic Heart.
“Last year’s vouchers went a long way to paying for most of my training with Ian Woodhead and Caroline Moore, so it’s great to have won more this year,” said Heidi, who has also qualified for this year’sMitsubishi Motors BE90 Grassroots Championships at Badminton for the first time.
Heidi finished on her style mark of 10, three penalties below Eve Hobbs riding Fivale Indian Art. Jane Bettles and Gold Rush were third.
Novice final
Last year’s BE100 winners Kylie Roddy and Guzzi also achieved a back-to-back win, stepping up a level to take the title in this year’s Novice class.
Kylie and Phoebe Locke both finished on 12 points. However, as Kylie achieved a better style score, she was announced the winner, which put Phoebe and Tullibards X Factor in second place.
Heidi Coy came third partnering Forrests Foxy Lady, with a final score of 16.
“I really like using the JAS series as it sharpens me up for cross-country before the season,” said Kylie. “The format is such good prep for rider and horse, as it is tighter and sharper than a pure show jumping course. Ideally Guzzi will be aimed at Le Lion d’Angers Seven Year Old Championships this year – but one step at a time for now.”
BE100 final
British Young Rider squad member Sophie Beaty won the BE100 on Woodend Scooter, a horse she had only ridden twice. She finished two points ahead of the field, scoring maximum marks for use of rider aids.
“He belongs to one of our liveries, and I am standing in while they are on holiday,” said Sophie who was recently selected for the World Class Development programme. “He’s a very genuine and keen little horse who is being aimed by his owner at the Open Novice U18 Regional Finals at Weston Park.”
Eve Hobbs and Fivale Indian Art were second, while Alana Collett and Interstat took third place.
Open Novice final
Sophie almost did the double, coming second in the Open Novice. Nici Wilson kept her off the top spot, adding one time penalty to her style score of 11 to win the class.
Nici was riding Naomi 55, who she described as a “bit crazy”.
“She only came in from her winter break in January,” Nici said. “She’s really careful so she’s good at this kind of thing, and I might aim her at Hickstead’s Speed Derby in the summer. JAS offers good prize-money, and if you aren’t on a training scheme, £500 towards training is very useful.”
The top three all finished on the same style score, with Sophie’s ride Stanley adding four jumping and one time penalty to come second. Heidi was in the ribbons once again, with anotherthird place with Forrests Foxy Lady.
Kenneth Clawson trophy
Heidi also took home the final award of the day. The Kenneth Clawson Memorial goes to the rider who has shown a marked improvement throughout the qualifiers and championships.
“We felt that Heidi was so deserving of the Memorial Trophy because she has shown consistency and professionalism beyond her young years throughout the series,” said Paul Davies, of the JAS organising team.
“She has been a great supporter of JAS and it has been great seeing her make such a successful transition from ponies to horses this year. She got her just rewards today, winning the JAS BE90 section.”