With the qualifying season well underway, the countdown has now begun for the KBIS Four, Five, Six and Seven Year Old Young Horse Championships which return to Osberton International Horse Trials by kind permission of Mr Michael Foljambe (Worksop, 2nd - 5th October). Guy Prest, Managing Director of KBIS British Equestrian commented: “We are very excited for the forthcoming Championships, now just two months away, and from the qualifying events we have attended the standard looks set to be very high once more. “The Young Horse Championships have been consistently growing and with the change in format to a CIC for the seven year olds, a very positive move for this age class, combined with the new show case facility for young horses for sale, I'm sure the bar will be raised once more. “KBIS will be in attendance throughout the event supporting owners and riders and we look forward to welcoming everyone throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday with a drink down by the KBIS pond." Championship information While six- and seven-year-old horses qualify throughout the season as part of regular BE classes, this is not the case for the younger horses. Around 20 events host four-year-old qualifiers at BE90 level, and 21 run BE100 five-year-old qualifiers. These are under way and have been well subscribed. Andrew James and Jazz Concerto won the recent Carlton 5YO qualifier, holding back the challenges of almost 30 other combinations. At Nunney International over 40 horses contested the section, a foot perfect performance from Vendredi Biats giving Kitty King the win. Over in Norfolk, at Great Witchingham, Ros Canter dominated the class with three horses in the top five, Spring Ambition taking the spoils, while Alex Postolowsky denied Andrew James another victory, taking the 4YO section on Hedgeholme Gospel. These amongst numerous quality horses to watch come October's Championships. Osberton is easily the best place to view the finest up and coming event horses, and it is interesting to see how last year's winners have progressed. The 2013 Four Year Old winner, the stallion Sea Admiral, has been quietly campaigned by Sophie Brise. Djakota EB, who claimed the Five Year Old title has been kept rather busier, establishing himself at Novice level with owner Carly Reid, while runner up to Djakota EB, Danturano K, has switched rider from Ruth Edge to Ireland’s Mark Kyle and recorded a 3rd place followed by two wins in his three outings this season. School of 2013 Ceylor LAN, who took the Six Year Old title under Kitty King and went on to finish fourth at the Young Horse World Championships at Le Lion d'Angers a fortnight later, has posted a string of good results this year including three back to back wins and a successful step up to Advanced. Last but by no means least, the 2013 Seven Year Old Champions, Tom How and Belco HRS, have an enviable record: an impressive hat trick of Five, Six and Seven Year Old titles. They have gone on to record top placings this year, winning last time they ran competitively. Other past stars who have gone on to Four Star success include London 2012 contender Borough Pennyz, Bramham winner and 5th at WEG 2010 Redesigned, WEG 2010 Silver Medallist and Rolex Kentucky 4* winner Cool Mountain, and three times Bramham winner and 2013 European Bronze Medallist Chilli Morning. The format of the KBIS Seven Year Old Championship has now changed from a CCI2* (Three Day Event) to a CIC2* in order to remove some of the qualifying pressures that were being placed on young horses. This change will also create a more natural progression for the next step up to the Blenheim 8/9 Year Old Championships, which run at CIC3*. BEDE events, organisers of Osberton International Horse Trials and the KBIS BE Young Horse Championships, pride themselves on their motto: 'Developing Quality, Leading Innovation'. Recent innovations include the launch of a live scoring system for display at events and also on smart phones, tablets and PCs. This year they are introducing a Christmas Market at the Trials, which will run alongside the popular Osberton Real Ale and Cider Festival. With an ever growing range of tradestands and attractions, it is guaranteed to be an action packed, fun weekend.
