Shell snatches golden ticket
THIS fixture provided a final opportunity for riders to qualify for 2018’s Mitsubishi Motors Cup.
Philippa Shell’s rollercoaster season ended on a high when she and her nine-year-old gelding, Royal Gunner, grabbed the top spot in the first of two hard-fought BE90 regional finals.
“We went to Badminton in
the spring, but he wasn’t right and we were eliminated in the showjumping,” explained Philippa, who put Gunner’s lacklustre performance down to a splint. “I’m excited that we’re going to be able to go back and hopefully make amends.”
Philippa took over the ride on Gunner from her mother, Susan, about three years ago.
“Mum found him lazy at home and became quite frustrated, but apart from the blip, he’s been very consistent,” said Philippa.
East Riding-based Lauren Burton made the three-anda-half hour trip to Eden Valley worthwhile when she headed the other regional final with Sue Allerton’s mare D Akieda and came third in a regular BE90 section with her own first-timer, Decanters King George V.
“We rerouted from Skipton, which was cancelled. It was my first time at Eden Valley, but
I’d definitely go again,” said the 22-year-old, who is head girl for yard owner Jean Clemmit.
Lauren teamed up with D Akieda about a year ago.
“She’s a willing mare, who enjoys all three phases,” she said.
Nydia Chandler followed a win at Alnwick Ford with a fourth place here — and a pass to the Mitsubishi Motors Cup — despite having her second daughter, Florence, in May.
“I’m not quite Jonelle Price [who returned to eventing three weeks after giving birth], but it proves that with a good team — my grandparents are fab babysitters — you can have a baby and qualify for Badminton,” she said.