JumpCross competitiors enjoy a successful final event as the new sport continues to grow and develop
The Tallyho Breeches team of Mark Kyle and Tanya Liddle crowned their position at the top of the new sport of JumpCross, which staged its final fixture of the year at Grange Farm EC, Peterborough.
In the top group, they took the first two places – netting £800 in prize-money – ahead of Julia Crowson and Jo Musto.
“Joker” fences were a new and popular addition this time. Sited just before the finish, directly in front of the main viewing point, a big parallel and imposing vertical each offered the chance to deduct 40 penalties, but conversely, 40 were added for each if knocked down.
This generated a buzz which had, until then, been lacking and it is a concept organiser Robin Dunlop is keen to retain in his bid to promote the appeal of the sport to commercial sponsors and spectators.
On the whole,show jumpers came off better, as the event horses tended to be a little more careless. The revamped course tested every aspect of accuracy at all levels, and although a new causeway across the lake, requiring a jump into the water, caused very little trouble, a small ditch caused numerous stops.
Group two was headed by event riders Julia Crowson and Nicole Mills, who held off Mark and Tanya’s Horsewear team. Brigit Ensten (Astra Daisy) and Hettie Stearn (Claydons Colour Code) were close up in third position.
Junior teams were another new feature and one on which Robin Dunlop hopes to build. Here, the winners were Nicola Souter (Kirtling Dubonnet) and Coco Chambers (Rosie).
At entry level, group three went to Leicestershire riders Fiona Davidson, riding her intermediate eventer Retreats Total Recall, and Henry Dove with Ivesley Oscar, another who events at intermediate level. This was the pair’s first attempt at the sport.
For full report see 27 September issue of Horse & Hound magazine, or click here to subscribe.
