Hayley Sankey, from Costock, and her horse Canaan Red Shamrock, were on a winning streak at the 2015 SEIB Trailblazers National Championships taking home the Non Traditional Coloured Horse or Pony Championship and clinching the Supreme Ridden Championship title. Hayley said, “I am just thrilled to have done so well. I was totally overwhelmed and cried all the way home. Flynn was brilliant”. Hayley, who works as a riding instructor has owned seven year old Flynn for three years. She attended the Championships last year to help a friend, Hayley said, “I really liked the atmosphere at the Championships and decided to make it my goal to compete there. We made a real weekend of the Championships and came in a convoy of seven horseboxes with other local friends. The whole event was beautifully run and the stables were immaculate. I am definitely going to try and come back again next year”.
Sophie Rogers, 29, from Warrington, Cheshire, took four showing titles at the 2015 SEIB Trailblazers National Championships, including overall reserve Supreme Champion in both the Ridden and In Hand section with her hunter, O'Malley III.
Sophie, who works as a Dosimetry Assistant for a nuclear power company, has attending the championships twice before. “I have been involved in showing for as long as I can remember”, she told us, starting out at local riding clubs. Earlier this year, Sophie was thrilled to have successfully qualified both of her two horses, O'Malley III and Erw-Wastad British Lion, for the 2015 championships.
O’Malley III, the 17 year old gelding, was in a winning streak taking the title of In Hand Hunter, In Hand Veteran and Ridden Veteran Champion this year, and went on to stand Ridden Reserve Supreme.
Louise Harrison (18) from Chappeltown, she won both the Small Breeds Mountain and Moorland Championship and the Small Breeds Mountain and Moorland Working Hunter Championship.
Louise won both titles riding the lovely dun welsh pony, Milford Fair Jasmine, known as Jazz, who she has had on loan from the Milford Stud in Ripon since April last year. “I was thrilled to have qualified for two classes at the Trailblazers Championships and to be champion in both was just fantastic. Jazz was previously a broodmare and she is the first pony I have broken in myself. This was her first stay away show and she was really good”, said Louise, who is studying Nail and Beauty Therapy at Barnsley College. This was Louise’s first visit to the Trailblazers Championships and she is very keen to try and qualify again next year. “Sadly I won’t be able to try and qualify again with Jazz as she returns to the stud at the end of this year”, she said.
Joanna Martin, from Rempstone, took the champion title 2015 Trailblazers Traditional Coloured Champion title with her 5 year old gelding Tuxedo. Jo has always wanted to show and bought Tuxedo 3 years ago with the intention of showing him, “He was a scruffy little thing when I first saw him but I had to have him, I knew he’d turn out well”, This was Joanna’s first year at Trailblazers Championships and she was excited to have qualified, “This is our first proper year doing ridden classes and Tux has been great,” said Joanna. Joanna’s highlight of the weekend was getting the champion title, “It was amazing, I could have cried, I was so proud of him.” After their great success, Joanna hopes to qualify Tuxedo again for the 2016 championships, “It was a really good show. I can’t wait to come back next year. I hope to bring some of my others too. Fingers crossed we qualify!”
Brooke Pickering, 9, who attends the Scargill Primary School in West Hallam, has become the 2015 Working Hunter Pony Champion and the First Ridden Champion with her mother Claire Pickering’s pony, Byley Cracker Jack, who also took the Supreme Working Hunter Championship. Claire has owned Byley Cracker Jack for just three months. She said, “Brooke was just over the moon, she hadn’t even dreamt she would win one Championship, let alone two. Jack was brilliant. Trailblazers has been an amazing stepping stone for them this year and all being well we plan to move up to Royal International and Horse of the Year Show qualifiers next season”.
Sarah Booth (29) from Brinsworth rode to victory on Purple Prince (Cal). The pair took the Show Hunter Over 148cm and Open Ridden Showing Championship titles. Sarah and Cal competed in the Trailblazers Championships last year and were determined to come back to regain their title. “We missed most of the qualifiers due to me having a foot operation”, explained Sarah, “but we did the first and second rounds in one day!”
Lauren Moss, 20, from Irlam, took the Trailblazers Ridden Sport Horse champion title with her 6 year old, Samsons Ard Court. Lauren has had the grey gelding, who is known as Sam at home, since last April and this was their first time at the Trailblazers Championships. “We only started competing this year”, said Lauren, a student at Salford University. “We accidently qualified for Trailblazers at Osbaldeston Equestrian Centre and didn’t know what it was at first. But now I’ve been, I highly recommend it to everyone!”
Lauren went with a group of friends who were also competing, “It was a really good experience and we had a great weekend. It was like a holiday as we were camping and staying in the wagon”, said Sarah, “Winning was the highlight, it was brilliant and so well organised. I will definitely try and qualify again next year and do the dressage or combined training.”
Susie Chappelhow, from Penrith, won the 2015 Large Breed Mountain & Mooreland Championship riding Sophie Beaumont’s 10 year old gelding, Glenmore of Roisbheinn. Sophie bought Glenmore of Roisbheinn, or Grommitt as he is known as at home, 18 months ago and Susie began riding him in March this year when Sophie became unwell. Susie’s ultimate goal is to get Grommitt to Olympia, however, their goal was put on hold as Susie is expecting her first child. “Suzie was due to give birth on the 13th August but wanted to carry on riding. She did incredibly well to ride at the championships”, said Sophie. Susie had to have a jacket specially made and was extremely thankful to Alexander James the tailors for making her unique show jacket. It was the first time they have ever been asked to make a jacket to fit a baby bump. Sophie and Sue hope to qualify Grommitt for the 2016 Championships.
Cody Douglas, from Langho, Blackburn, rode his mother Liane Douglas’ pony, Spirit, to victory in the Trailblazers Lead Rein Championship. This was the first time six year old Cody has been to such a prestigious show and the Douglas family were delighted with the win. Liane said, “This is the fourth time that Spirit has won the lead rein Championship at Trailblazers. Cody’s sister, seven year old Brooke, has ridden him on the other occasions. Spirit was originally a rescue pony from the Only Foals and Horses Sanctuary in Oswaldtwistle. He and Cody also took the runner up spot in the veterans Championship at Trailblazers this year”.
Cody’s sister, Brooke took the runner up spot in the First Ridden Championship at Trailblazers with her pony, Moortown Pedlar. Brooke and Cody both attend the St Leonards primary School in Langho.
Di Machin from Scunthorp took the Trailblazers Thoroughbred Champion title with her 14 year old mare, Cadbury’s Bream, or Coco as she is known as at home. Di has had the ex-racehorse for seven years, “She is a beautiful horse but it took us a while to bond”, she said. This was the pairs fifth time at the Trailblazers Championships, “It’s a very well organised show, and I always encourage people to go”, said Di, “We make a holiday of it and go down on the Friday. My husband cooks a curry and we catch up with all the friends we’ve made over the last few years. It’s become a bit of a tradition.”
Di heard about Trailblazers through friends and after doing a bit more research she decided it would be her and Coco’s goal. She said, “This was Coco’s last year as we are going to breed from her next year. Winning was a great way to end it.” Di still plans to attend the Championships next year just as a spectator to see all of her friends, “When the foal is ready, Trailblazers will be our aim. My husband will show her in-hand and then I will ride her when I can. We might even have a go at dressage”
Images Copyright Real Time Imaging
Hayley Sankey, from Costock, and her horse Canaan Red Shamrock, were on a winning streak at the 2015 SEIB Trailblazers National Championships taking home the Non Traditional Coloured Horse or Pony Championship and clinching the Supreme Ridden Championship title. Hayley said, “I am just thrilled to have done so well. I was totally overwhelmed and cried all the way home. Flynn was brilliant”. Hayley, who works as a riding instructor has owned seven year old Flynn for three years. She attended the Championships last year to help a friend, Hayley said, “I really liked the atmosphere at the Championships and decided to make it my goal to compete there. We made a real weekend of the Championships and came in a convoy of seven horseboxes with other local friends. The whole event was beautifully run and the stables were immaculate. I am definitely going to try and come back again next year”.
Brooke Pickering, 9, who attends the Scargill Primary School in West Hallam, has become the 2015 Working Hunter Pony Champion and the First Ridden Champion with her mother Claire Pickering’s pony, Byley Cracker Jack, who also took the Supreme Working Hunter Championship. Claire has owned Byley Cracker Jack for just three months. She said, “Brooke was just over the moon, she hadn’t even dreamt she would win one Championship, let alone two. Jack was brilliant. Trailblazers has been an amazing stepping stone for them this year and all being well we plan to move up to Royal International and Horse of the Year Show qualifiers next season”. 
