Baloo franks his form
3-6 August
THIS annual show was already a must on many riders’ calendars, but this year a masterplan came to fruition. As well as “normal” classes, the Light family added Derbys, plus special competitions aiming to put the fun back into a sport that can occasionally take itself too seriously. They succeeded on every level. The well-known names still arrived, but the next tier down and amateurs also turned up in great numbers.
Every class was hard-won, none more so than the South of England ladies’ and gentlemen’s championships. Chris Franks produced one of those “blink and you’ll miss it” rounds to retain his gentlemen’s title on the flying chestnut Continue Baloo-Bay, while the ladies’ honours went to Nicola Wilson with Naomi 55.
Continue Baloo-Bay has been with Chris since his discovery days and there is nothing he likes better than a gallop.
“Most of the time I can’t hold him, so we have to go fast,” said Chris. “He has such a good technique and is so careful that I can trust him to run and jump.”
The eight-year-old will now have a fairly quiet time until Hickstead in September.
“He was sixth in the International Arena at last year’s show and we’ve qualified for the same final again, so I can’t wait,” added Chris.
Nicola Wilson’s immaculate jump-off on the “small but mighty” Naomi 55 sealed the ladies’ championship.
“She’s been on such good form this season, although I think this may be ‘unlucky’ win number 13,” said Nicola. “She loves her job and when you get one like that it makes things an awful lot easier.”
Long lands major haul
LEESA LONG rarely leaves her local venue without a hatful of victories and she took home the coveted winners’ rug after heading a hard-fought veteran riders’ championship on Matt Pike’s Chavon.
There was a huge amount of interest in this class, which was run in memory of the late Russell Pearson, the former sponsor and a great supporter here. Russell came close to winning his own championship last season, but was pipped by Emma Hinkley, who stepped in to sponsor this year’s edition.
Before the class, Leesa wasn’t overly happy to be considered a veteran, although she did have a “senior moment” after walking the course when she tried to get on another rider’s horse! Her competitive instinct then took over and she galloped to victory on the Dutch-bred nine-year-old mare whom she is riding until she is sold.
Ben Parnaby won’t have to worry about buying show rugs for a while, as he won his fourth in the space of a fortnight after taking the South of England young riders’ title on Captain Junior. The local rider and his Irish-bred 12-year-old produced a brilliant winning round here.
Ben, 22, combines showjumping with working for the family ground contractors’ business. He bought Captain Junior from Emma Hinkley three years ago.
“He’s so good to me. Even if I miss, he’ll still jump,” Ben said fondly.
A fast and furious Manhattan 85cm championship jump-off resulted in victory for Brightonbased Nicola Lloyd and her striking Zaragoza IV, a horse she bought last September, while Jackie Menzies could not stop smiling after winning the JB Arenas 1.10m amateur final riding CMS Royale.
Jackie has watched husband Bruce take many important titles in the past, so it was fitting that she at last had her own moment in the spotlight. She got the eight-year-old mare 18 months ago and they have a great partnership up to Foxhunter level.
“This is the best win yet,” Jackie said. “I usually get
Pyecombe Championships, West Sussex
Bruce’s cast-offs to ride, so it’s lovely to have a good horse of my own.”
Yazmin Pinchen and Con Chilli took Friday’s 1.40m open and Chloe Breen outrode everyone — including her husband Shane — to win on Wednesday with Zidane VIII.
The other big-money classes belonged to Max Routledge and Carus Royale. They sped round to win on Thursday and were back two days later to head a 25-horse jump-off for the closing grand prix.
“He had a day in the field yesterday and he felt awesome today,” said Max. “This horse is so much fun to ride. He’s really careful and he always gives 200%.”
Pearson’s up for challenge
THE showjumpers proved quickest in the eventers’ challenge, for which Keith Bristow’s track contained a multitude of options. Tony Pearson wasn’t bothered by his early draw on Arash, who galloped round, tail whirling like a helicopter’s rotor, to jump the only clear.
But there was a sad postscript for the winners as Arash broke his leg in the field a couple of days later and had to be put to sleep (see news p5).
The jumpers may have whipped the eventers on this occasion, but a great time was had by all, not least because sponsor Russell Stevenson provided mementoes for all the competitors in the class.
“We have really enjoyed ourselves. I can see myself coming showjumping more often,” event rider Francis Whittington said.
Young rider Charlene Bastone’s first ever attempt at a Derby resulted in a win in the 1.20m version on her six-yearold Fyberlinus H. Charlene got this son of Zirocco Blue as a two-year-old and has produced him herself.
“He’s so brave,” she said. “He’s my pet horse, my best boy and my absolute favourite. He lives in our garden at home.”
Alice Dunsdon headed Wednesday’s 1.10m Derby, a class sponsored by her family. Her winning ride, Cool Dude II, is a home-bred 10-year-old who evented at intermediate level before being off the road for a year through injury.
“I’ve loved the classes here and I wish there were more of them. We’ve donated the prize money back to the show, so we’re hoping they’ll hold another Derby in September,” she said. H&H