With forty-nine contenders each hoping to claim one of the two direct qualifying tickets on offer for the Equitop Myoplast Senior Foxhunter Championship Final at Horse of the Year Show in October, the production of a treble clear was very much at the forefront of every competitor’s mind. After two nail biting rounds just nine combinations were left to contest the jump off and all eyes were on the clock to decide the winner.
Matthew Sampson from Sheffield, South Yorkshire rose to the challenge as he rode Rachael Evison’s 8 year-old grey mare, Ebolensky into first place with a speedy treble clear. From an early draw this partnership set the bar high as they cruised round the shortened course in a time of 42.26 seconds.
Producing the final treble clear of the class to secure second place was James Smith from Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland riding Charles McKerlie’s 8 year-old grey gelding, Just Max. This pair crossed the finish line in 46.63 seconds.
With the top two taking the direct qualifying tickets for the Equitop Myoplast Senior Foxhunter Championship Final, the combinations in third to fifth took home the chance to compete at the British Showjumping National Championships.
