Fern Pickford had the distinction of claiming the first championship of the Easibed BSJA/Scope Festival, and her winning effort with Romany Jane in the Netley Hall Equestrian Holidays pony discovery championship was spectacular.
Drawn first in the 11-strong jump off, Jane never took a pull from start to finish, and Ann Gasgoine’s 11-year-old black mare was a mere blurr in the Bingley Hall Arena.
“This is the first time we’ve tried her against the clock, and she really motored. That was extra special,” said the Lincolnshire rider, whose main ambition of the week was merely to qualify to jump in the indoor arena.
Another all out effort clinched victory for Mark Thompson in the KBIS Insurance national British novice championship. Riding Topflight True Carlo II, Mark was the only one to find the inside route to fence three, and True Carlo pulled off an amazing spin back inside the island.
Owner Christine Spanner normally competes the five-year-old gelding herself, but when she injured her back earlier in the season, Mark took the ride and qualified him at Market Bosworth, and he was given the championship ride.
With four Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) tickets on offer in the Tri-Zone newcomer masters championship, competition was keen and the 14-strong jump off for the top places provided a fitting climax to the evening.
Producing a stunning round to win the class from mid draw was Mathew Sampson riding Graham Tame’s V Anubertha 59. Strong riding by Mathew got the pair home 2secs ahead.
Taking the remaining tickets to Birmingham were next placed Jackson Reed-Stephenson (Jahil), Keith Shore (Voyager III), and Corinne Collins (William Wallace).
Scope championship class results
Netley Hall Equestrian Holidays pony Discovery. 1, Romany Jane (F Pickard); 2, Tim’s Tinkerbelle (R Parker); 3, Atlantic Hill (H Sellar).
KBIS Insurance National senior British novice. 1, Topflight True Carlo II (M Thompson); 2, Furst Love II (I Wynne); 3, Another Dancer (C Humpage).
Tri-Zone newcomer masters. 1, V Anubertha 59 (M Sampson); 2, Jahil (J Reed-Stephenson); 3, Voyager III (K Shore).
Don’t miss H&H’s full report from Scope, on sale 10 September
