Each rider began the class with high hopes of claiming one of the two qualification spots on offer for the Connolly’s RED MILLS Senior Newcomers Championship Final, which will be held during this October’s Horse of the Year Show.
Following two challenging rounds of showjumping, just seven horses and riders were taken forward to the final jump off and only one combination went on to secure a treble clear.
Anja made the journey from Chelmsford, Essex worthwhile as she rode Spencer Moret’s 7 year-old grey gelding, Fell Capone, to the win. This combination proved their talent for accuracy as they jumped two confident clear rounds to book a place in the jump-off before going on to be the only combination to deliver a treble clear. They stopped the clock in 50.67 seconds.
Scooping up second place was Adam Botham from Radway, Warwickshire riding Jerome Du Luot, an 8 year-old chestnut gelding owned by Michael Lyons. This pair had speed on their side as they crossed the finish line in 49.17 seconds but unfortunately had a pole down early on the course leaving them with four faults.
The riders and horses that finished in third to fifth took home the chance to compete in the Connolly’s RED MILLS Senior Newcomers Masters at the British Showjumping National Championships.
