As just three qualification places were on offer for the Speedi-Beet HOYS Grade C Championship Final at Horse of the Year Show, all of the competitors were keen to take on the challenges of Andrew Palmer’s course. The first round whittled down the competitor numbers until just thirteen talented combinations remained to compete against the clock in the final jump off.
Robert Bevis from Wrexham, Clwyd pulled out all the stops to produce a winning round on board Newton Tigra, a 9 year-old dark bay mare owned by Steven Davenport. This partnership took on the newly shortened course with a turn of speed, taking a fast and accurate line they jumped straight into first place in a time of 41.20 seconds.
With a strong challenge, Kathryn Ellison from Beaminster, Dorset scooped up second place riding Jabeena Maslin’s 9 year-old bay mare, Cherokee Bay. This pair posted a double clear in fine style to cross the finish line in 41.81 seconds.
Third place went to Joseph Fernyhough from Stonehouse, Gloucestershire as he rode to a consistent double clear on board Calcourt Quicktime, a 7 year-old brown gelding owned by Rowland Fernyhough. This combination stopped the clock in 42.93 seconds.