2015 SEIB Trailblazers Championships - Show Jumping Report

The second weekend had mixed weather for competitors with heavy showers and sunshine doing little to dampen the spirit of those competing.

JUNIORS

The 2015 Junior 65cm Showjumping Championship title for riders 12 years and under, went to Casey Bell (11), from Romford, and her own 14 year old pony, Meadow Brook Wizard, or Wellington as he known as at home. Casey took over the ride on Wellington when her sister, Megan grew out of him. “She’s only been riding him about five months so I told Casey to just enjoy it and do your best, just getting there was an achievement”, said Lisa, Casey’s mum, “The whole event was great, and everyone was so friendly.”

The success in the show jumping continued when Alice Turner (10), from Ipswich, become the 2015 Junior 65cm Show Jumping Champion with her 20 year old pony, Jack. Alice fought off stiff competition from other riders in her class to take the top spot, “It was really good, Jack is such a good horse, I’m so glad we have him”, said Alice. Gale, Alice’s mum, was equally as proud, “Jack was brilliant at the championships, and he didn’t bat an eyelid.”


Lila Bremner (11), from Hannington rode to victory on her own 9 year old gelding, Uncle Patsy, taking the 2015 Junior 75cm show jumping and 85cm show jumping Championship titles. Uncle Patsy jumped five rounds in total over the weekend and didn’t knock a pole down in any of them, “I was so proud of him, he jumped his heart out”, said Lila.

Cleo Loizzo (12), from Loughborough, has become the 2015 Junior 95cm Showjumping Champion.  Cleo, who is a student at Our Lady's Convent School, bought Pippin a year ago to do pony club activities as she is an active member of the Quorn Hunt Pony club. Cleo has ridden all her life and attended the Trailblazers championship in 2013 competing in the 65cm and 75cm show jumping classes. This year her aim was to compete in the 95cm class, and Cloe was thrilled when she qualified at local equestrian centre Vale View.  Cleo fought of stiff competition from other rider in her class for the top spot, “We weren’t really expecting it as Pippin isn’t the fasted pony”, explained Charlie, Cleo’s mum, “Others were a lot faster but had a pole down but Pippin is careful and consistent.” The family thoroughly enjoyed the championship and Charlie added, “We enjoy the competitive side of it and the show is brilliant. The arenas are good and you normally only get things like the music and flags at affiliated events”.  Cleo hopes to qualify for the 95cm and 105cm classes in 2016.

The 2015 Junior 105cm Show Jumping Championship went to Georgie Marriott (13), from Market Rasen, riding Murthwaite Blue Boy.  Georgie, who is a student at De Aston School, has only had Murthwaite Blue Boy, known as Smokey, for seven months and bought him to compete in show jumping.  Georgie was excited to be attending the Championships for the first time and made the three hour trip to Stoneleigh with her mother and brother. Georgie and her family enjoyed watching the “Master Class in the Park” on Friday evening with top international show jumper, Geoff Billington.  “It was really good and gave us some exercises to do at home.  We thoroughly enjoyed the weekend but highlight was winning.  It was really nice, the course was good with lots of scary jumps but Smokey went really well. It was raining when I was riding and my reins were slipping but he just flew over the jumps”, said Georgie, “I was really excited, I’ve always wanted to do a lap of honour. Smokey got a bit excited and did a few bucks”

SENIORS

Sally McNaughton, from Driffield, took the Senior 65cm Showjumping Champion title with her 10 year old gelding, Gunner. Sally’s mum helps her with Gunner when Sally is busy working, she attended the Championships to watch her daughter ride. “It was great to have mum there and for her to see us win”, said Sally, who has already qualified for the second round qualifiers for 2016 Trailblazers Championships.

Kirsty Faulkner, from Great Dunmow, took the Senior 75cm Showjumping Championship title with 9 year old gelding Jammy Dodger 2 (Fudge). Kirsty said “In the three years that we have attended trailblazers we have got first reserve champion two years running and then this year we came home the happiest we could ever be with a champion title.” Even though it was raining, Kirsty did not let it damped her winning spirit, “It couldn't have been a brighter day for us, I was cheered on by friends and family. It still hasn't quite sunk in, my horse is a champion!”

Stephanie Marshall (24), from Barnsley, and her 20 year old gelding, Sandford Chiam took the Senior 85cm Showjumping Champion title. Stephanie, who is a dog groomer, fought off stiff competition from other riders in her class to take the champion title, “I was chuffed to bits to win. We had a brilliant weekend at the Championships.  I love the venue, the arenas and the atmosphere, its great fun”, said Stephanie who hopes to attend the 2016 Championships if it doesn’t clash with her brother’s wedding.

Jessica Buxton (19), from Kirk Langley, Derby, won the 2015 Senior 110cm Showjumping Championship.  Jessica, who is a Fine Arts student at Derby University, rode to victory on her 8 year old gelding, Sunni, “He has always had a talent for show jumping”, she said. The pair compete regularly at local shows but the Trailblazers Championship offered them an opportunity to do something different, “Sunni isn’t very experienced”, said Jessica, “Riding at the championships was great to show him different fences and arenas.” Jessica also took her second horse, Lola, who contested the 95cm and 105cm show jumping class, but unfortunately was not placed. She plans on bring them both back next year.

Nicky Rippon, from Scarisbrick, Lancashire, has become the 2015 Seniors on Ponies 65cm Showjumping Champion, riding Cefn Coed Teran, or Taz as he is known as at home.  Taz has been a part of the Rippon family for 12 years and was originally bought for Nicky’s daughters to ride. “When they grew out of him he was sold, but I told the new owners that when their daughter grew out of him, I would like him back”, explained Nicky, “He was supposed to come here to retire but he’s just doing so well.”

Nicky was encouraged to have a go at Trailblazers by her daughter as they have both competed at the Championships before. “We qualified at Osbaldeston Equestrian Centre, it’s a good opportunity to compete over the winter”, said Nicky.
Nicky enjoyed the “Masterclass in the Park” with Geoff Billington.   “It was very good. He spoke about rhythm and bounce which was useful for my jumping. His horses were beautifully well schooled. Taz is a bit past changing his ways, but he’s a star!” Nicky was thrilled to win her class, “Winning was the highlight and doing the lap of honour to the music, Taz gets quite excited”, said Nicky, who hoped to qualify for the 2016 championships, “We’ll definitely give it a go!”

Grace Johnson (18), from Brigg, took the 2015 Seniors on Ponies 75cm Show jumping Championship riding Royston, who she has owned for three years.  He and Grace compete in show jumping and hunter trials. Grace said, “We came to the Trailblazers Championships last year and were placed 3rd, 4th and 5th.  I enjoyed the competition and the atmosphere so much that we were determined to come back this year.  I am thrilled that we won.  Hopefully we will come back again next year.  Trailblazers is one of the very few shows to offer classes for seniors riding ponies”.  Grace has just finished A levels and is about to start a course in Mental Health Nursing at Lincoln University.

Jenny Pratt (29), from Mountsorrel, has become the 2015 Seniors on Ponies 95cm Show jumping Champion riding her own 27 year old mare, Cherry. Jenny has owned Cherry for 15 years, “We tried to retire her but she was just too naughty so we decided to bring her back in to work”. This was their first year at the Trailblazers Championships, “The whole family came to watch, we’ve had Cherry for so long she is part of the family”, said Jenny, “The championships has really peaked my interest in competing again so I think we’ll keep on giving it ago.”












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