2015 Trailblazers Working Hunter Report

Brooke Pickering, from West Hallam, Derbyshire, took the 2015 Trailblazers Supreme Working Hunter Championship, having stood top as both Working Hunter Pony champion and First Ridden Champion.


Nine year old Brooke rode her mother Claire Pickering’s pony, Byley Cracker Jack to victory in both Championships and went on to take the Supreme title against all the Working Hunter Champions across the sections.  Claire has owned Byley Cracker Jack, known as 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 and take the Supreme.  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”.

Alexie Patel, 35, from Mawdesley, and her gelding, Harlequin Cavalier, won the Working Hunter 148cm and over Sapphire Championship and was Reserve Supreme Working Hunter. Showing is very much a part-time career for Harlequin Cavalier who is known as Harvey at home.  He spends much of his time hunting as a master’s horse with the Holkham Harriers, ridden by Martin.  Alexie, who works as an Equine Sports Massage Therapist throughout the county, said, “I am really delighted with how the Trailblazers Championship went.  Harvey fractured his pelvis last year and so has had a lot of time off.  He has been back in work since Christmas and we have been taking things quite slowly with him.  He will start hunting again when the season begins”.
Liz Kelly-Hunter, who works for the Scottish Environmental Agency, has become the 2015 Working Hunter Diamond Champion riding her own 10 year old gelding, Shannondale Saor (Alfie). This was their second year at the championships, however, this year Liz broke down in the horse box 6 miles from the show ground, “It was awful, but I called the stable manager at the championships and she was brilliant. She sent a horsebox from the show ground to come and collect Alfie”, explained Liz. Luckily, her insurance company, SEIB Insurance Brokers, were on hand and swiftly arranged to recover the vehicle, “It was quite traumatic for us, and for Alfie, but he behaved so well”, said Liz. Despite a rough start to the weekend, Liz rode to victory “It was just amazing, I was so shocked. I never anticipated that we’d win”, she said. “Alfie can get quite excited in prize givings and when they called out his name he let out a squeal,” laughed Liz, who hopes to qualify for the 2016 championships, “It was the moment of our summer, the absolute pinnacle”.

Fiona Cattell, from Bradmore, rode to victory on Linsey and Tara Redfern’s 16 year old gelding, Cae, to become the 2015 Working Hunter Cob Champion. Fiona, who is an HR professional, took on the ride in May 2014 after her horse of 22 years passed away last February. Fiona, Linsey and Tara all attended the championships, with three horses between them to compete, “We were quite busy, I’d never done anything like it before so it was a great experience”, said Fiona.  Fiona fought of stiff competition from other riders in the class to take the top spot, “I burst in to tears. I never dreamt we’d do anything like this, not in my wildest dreams”, she said, “It’s such an achievement for us both.” After her success at the championships this year, Fiona hopes to qualify again for next year, “The show is so well organised, relaxed and welcoming. With the flags and the music, plus the friendly atmosphere, it is a great introduction to large shows”, she said. Fiona hopes to qualify in the Working Hunter class and Combined Training.


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