Ellen Whitaker gained a memorable championship double on day five of the Easibed Scope/BSJA Festival at Stafford County showground. A member of the recent bronze medal team who secured Britain’s place at the next Olympics, Ellen clinched both the Milton five-year-old and National Under 21 titles.
Second placed Anne Bedford almost set an unbeatable standard with Lillibet in the Milton five-year-old championship, but last-drawn Ellen reduced the leading time by 1sec riding Bilton Ward Developments German-bred mare Holly 112. “By the third round, the track was pretty strong, but she’s a very consistent mare” said Ellen.
Also gaining championship wins in the age classes were Daniel Moseley riding Fiona Down’s National six-year-old victor, the Dutch-bred Utopia Red, and Billy Twomey riding his own Belgian warmblood stallion Je T’Aime Flamenco, who claimed the National Mattie Brown seven-year-old title.
Ellen Whitaker produced another economical round to claim her second victory of the evening in the National Under 21 championship. Using their late draw to best advantage in the 12-strong jump off, Ellen and Cortaflex Kanselier overhauled the leaders Tim Page (Quentin Tarrantino) and Nicole Pavitt (Maestro De Rend Peine) with a daring turn inside to the water tray. “He was spot on everywhere,” said Ellen.
Small ponies had their moments of glory in the opening Smith of Whiteinch National Championships. Jessica Mendoza and Spencer Roe producing heart stopping rounds to become 128cm and 138cm champions riding Get Ready Freddie and Creative Dancer II.
Also claiming brilliant wins in Bingley Hall were Rebecca Walker riding Mysteron, who headed the National 1.15m championship, and Ken Ashe who clinched the Equissage National Discovery championship riding Urlanmore Cavalier.
www.scopebsjafestival.co.uk
Read Horse & Hound’s full report from Scope in 6 September magazine
