Hancock achieves a healthy lead
An Irish 18-year-old takes the top spot by a hefty margin, while the journey from Scotland pays off for one family
IRISH event rider Lucy Hancock and Coppenagh Spring Sparrow were crowned the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) Gold Cup champions. The pair were impressive throughout to enter the reverse-order showjumping phase as last to go with a convincing lead of nearly 16 points over Georgia Darlington and Lisa’s Dream.
This three-stage contest kicks off with a dressage test, followed by a performance section over cross-country-style fences where style marks are earned plus an extra mark for the gallop. Any jumping penalties incurred here or in the final showjumping phase are deducted and the highest final score wins. The last showjump has an optional joker, worth 10 bonus points for clearing it but costing a hefty 20 if it is knocked down.
So good was her lead, though, that Lucy didn’t have to risk jumping the joker en route to heading the 153cm division.
“I really wanted to jump the joker because I thought it looked like fun, but mum told me not to and I didn’t want to get in trouble,” smiled the 18-year-old.
“I’ve evented ‘Schnapps’ in Pony Trials so I was confident he could jump a clear round and there was no point risking the joker. I messed up my line from seven to eight and I thought I might have them down, but he got me out of trouble.
“He was quite excited and loved the final gallop [in the championship] — I think he thought he was jumping again.”
Lucy plans to pass her eightyear-old son of Springfield Shadow to her younger sister Allegra.
“I got Schnapps as a fouryear-old, mainly to bring him on for Allegra when she outgrows her pony,” added Lucy, who was eventing in Kircubbin, Northern Ireland, the previous day.
“I was up at 3.30am yesterday and then on a flight that got me to Burghley at 8pm. I was up again at 6.30am today so I’m quite tired now and looking forward to getting some sleep.”
The top two in each height division came forward for the championship at the end of the day and the 143cm winners, Mollie Harris riding the eight-year-old Stambrook Miss D’Mena, claimed overall reserve.
Mollie rode into the showjumping arena lying second and climbed into the top spot when the leaders, Remy WilsonBarnea on Derrygimbla Atlantic Storm, picked up 20 penalties for kicking out the front rail of the joker, a fence that looked like a bed for class sponsor The White Company, and slipped to fifth.
Katie Wrennall and Carnsdale Casper finished second.
“I really didn’t think I would win, but it feels great,” said Mollie, a North Norfolk branch of the Pony Club member.
This ring is set behind the main arena, where the final stages of the CCI4* competition take place, and there is a big atmosphere to contend with.
“She did get a little tense in her dressage test, which was disappointing as she can go so nicely on the flat. We did the
Pony Club showjumping here
on Thursday, though, so she is getting more experience in a bigger arena,” said Mollie, who also events the 14hh FS Don’t Worry daughter, who is owned by her breeder Sarah Rook.
‘IT’S GREAT TO BEAT THE GIRLS’
THE only boy in a 13-strong field topped the 133cm line up. This was 12-year-old James Houlden (see box), who said, with a smile: “It feels great to beat the girls.”
Two-phase leaders Matilda Lanni and Birkinbrook Arabella rolled a pole to finish second.
“The joker was a big oxer which suited my pony as he has so much scope,” said James. “He saw the jumping start just as he began his dressage today and so was a little tense, but he stayed calm.
“Being able to ride at Burghley is great; I want to be an event rider one day so I’ve taken inspiration from the four-star riders here,” added the Ardvreck school pupil.
Twelve ponies tackled eight obstacles in the lead-rein division, which went the way of seven-yearold James Ward on Kyregate Peter
‘Riding at Burghley is great; I want to be an event rider one day’
JAMES HOULDEN, 12
Pan, led by his mother Kelly.
“I didn’t expect to win, I just wanted to have fun and enjoy myself,” said James, who couldn’t hide his delight after being handed the winner’s sash.
“I don’t know where I’m going to keep it,” he beamed.
The Cheshire-based schoolboy was due to start year three the following week and is aiming for tiny tot classes off the lead-rein on his 17-year-old palomino gelding.
“I honestly thought we might have gone too fast to win,” said Kelly. “Peter Pan has been such a great pony for us; James’ sister Ruby also rides him and he catches the judge’s eye. He’s so sweet and the perfect leadrein pony.”
In the SEIB racehorse to riding horse Horse of the Year Show qualifier, Beware Chalk
Pit (Rebecca Court) triumphed ahead of Royal Rock (Oliver Hood). With the top two already qualified for Birmingham, the tickets went to third-placed Valentine Jack, owned and ridden by Donna Bamonte, and Charlotte Salisbury’s The Lodge Road, fifth. Hannah Horton piloted What Of It into fourth.
“We had a line-up of beautiful horses all beautifully schooled, and that is what we want to see,” said SEIB’s Nicolina Mackenzie.