Sunday 9th August 2020
Our 2020 show jumping season finally got underway on Sunday 9th August with a record amount of pre-entries. It was lovely to see regular faces again, as well as new ones coming to compete with us for the first time.
With all our Covid-19 measures in place it was great to finally welcome our show jumping competitors back to Speedgate. Restrictions to all events at present means that we can have no spectators on to the showground, but everyone was just pleased to be able to get out to compete again. The sun was once again shining for us, so it was a perfect day for our riders to have some fun and enjoy the competition.
Each class is now drawn order, and all our competitors are allocated a time to come forward and jump their rounds. The first class of the day was the starter class, and with 13 combinations coming forward, it was a great way to start the days competition.
The first double clear of the class was produced by Caroline Snow and her lovely mare, Amber. Their steady jump off round was enough for them to gain fourth place. Towards the middle of the class was the turn of Tristan Mante and his very smart pony, Peppermint. This combination was a very determined duo, and they certainly did not hang about in the jump off, gaining a very fast time and eventually becoming our first winners of the day.
Starter Class
1st Tristan Mante and Peppermint
2nd Millie Newton-Hearn and Molly
3rd Ruby Sumner and Silverado
4th Caroline Snow and Amber
5th Claire Lyne and Silverspring Louis
6th Raya King and Smurf
The Novice class followed on, and again had very good entries. Ruby Sumner and her horse Silverado were the first to go in the class, and they produced a very good double clear that would eventually give them third place. With more double clears being produced, it soon became the turn of Gaby Howard and her ride, Rufus Buttons. This combination was not going to leave any room for anyone to catch them, and after completing a double clear almost five seconds faster than the current leader, they became our second winners of the day.
Novice Class
1st Gaby Howard and Rufus Buttons
2nd Kiziah Gallon and Little Dream
3rd Millie Newton-Hearn and Molly
4th Kiyah Buist and Kinsky Lucky Lass
5th Ruby Sumner and Silverado
6th Jessica Smith and Kahlua Lady
With the fences going up in height, we had a few more riders join us for the afternoon classes. We started the proceedings with the Intermediate class, and it was Tabitha Howell and her ride Kilncopse Drummer who got the class underway. This combination produced their second double clear of the day, but sadly just not getting into the placings. With more double clears adding to the list and times getting faster, it was all going to be down to speed and accuracy. Anna Rider was already in the lead with her first ride of the day, Nye Beauty. Her second ride in this class was Midnight Minuet and this pair were last to go in the class. With another super double clear and beating her previous time by just under two seconds, Anna took both the first and second placings in the class.
Intermediate Class
1st Anna Rider and Midnight Minuet
2nd Anna Rider and Nye Beauty
3rd Amy Ball and Freebee Oakley
4th Kenzy Fairman and My Destiny Pride
5th Louise Tullett and Poetry in Motion
6th Lisa Swinden and Daddys Newtown Boy
Our fifth class of the day was the Small Open and again, this class was very well subscribed. The first to go was our previous winner Anna Rider with Midnight Minuet. Once again, this duo did not hang around and executed a very fast double clear. Paige Jones and her very smart Casino Royale were the next combination into the ring. This combination also produced a lovely double clear, but with the rest of the class to go, there was going to be some waiting. The final double clear of the class was produced by Abi Haime and the lovely Cool Echo. But no combination was going to get close to Anna and Midnight Minuet, who were over eight seconds faster than second place.
Small Open
1st Anna Rider and Midnight Minuet
2nd Paige Jones and Casino Royale
3rd Sophie Wilson and Betsy
4th Abi Haime and Cool Echo
5th Emilia Gardner and Dylan D
6th Hayley Whisker and Ryehill Crystal
The last class of the day was the Open. With only one combination reaching the jump off and producing the only double clear, our final winner of the day was Madeleine Kaasch and Prevelly Future.
Open Class
1st Madeleine Kasch and Prevelly Future
Congratulations once again to all our deserving winners of the day. Thank you to everyone that came and adhered to the new way of competing. We are very grateful for your support and patience. We look forward to hopefully seeing you all again soon. Our next unaffiliated show jumping show is being held on Sunday 6th September. All entries can be made online via Horse Monkey. Please enter early to avoid disappointment.