Brian does it in f ine style
A tricky joker fence catches out several combinations as the victorious 153cm duo come to the fore to take the coveted Gold Cup crown
British Show Pony Society (BSPS) The White Company Gold Cup final and SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse (R2R) qualifier, Burghley Horse Trials, Lincs
THE final round of the day — and only clear within the time in her class — allowed event rider Lucy Robinson, 19, to end her Gold
Cup campaign on a high. She and Samantha Heap’s scopey Townranney Brian not only won their 153cm section in fine style, but then claimed the overall title.
This year’s competition drew the cream of the current crop and course-builder Lisa Kelly set them a testing track. As part of the innovative format, the concluding showjumping phase, conducted in reverse order of merit, features a substantial joker fence — worth 10 bonus points if cleared but risks 20 penalties if lowered.
Once again, this proved not only influential in the higher sections, but popular with a large crowd of enthusiastic spectators.
The pressure was firmly on Lucy as she set out with just 0.8 penalties in-hand. The 153cm class had proved the most problematical, and indeed the penultimate pair to jump, Susie Eddis and Cashel Bay JJ, had crashed out of contention with a stop and fall at the combination. This meant that Lucy did not have to attempt the joker fence, provided she was quick enough and all the other obstacles remained intact.
Despite the added distraction of a low-flying display by two Spitfires, the Irish-bred grey never faltered, producing an immaculate round to win by 2.8 penalties.
In the championship, the pair again pulled out all the stops to pip the 153cm runnersup, Georgina Horsley-Gubbins and Ella’s Melody. Both ponies’ performances prompted championship judge Paul Cook to comment: “They went beautifully in a rhythm and nicely on the bridle in all paces. They are both athletic and free-moving, and performed exactly as you would expect from a sports pony.”
Brian, now nine, came from Ireland as a novice via Jo MarshSmith and has been with the Heap family for four years, originally partnered by Arabella Heap. With Lucy on board, he was second individually in the inter-team competition at the recent BSPS summer championships, where he also won the Gold Cup qualifier.
“It was a great course today,” said Derbyshire-based Lucy, who has appeared here with Brian twice before and was champion in 2014 with Glengoole Boy.
“It was very testing and took a lot of riding — it wasn’t just one
fence that caught everyone out,” she added. “It was tempting to go for the joker as I love the tension, but I decided to stay safe.
“I love Burghley — it’s one of my favourite events and I hope one day to compete in the 4* here.”
CLEARING THE JOKER
HAVING lowered an early pole, clearing the joker paid off for Georgina and Ella’s Melody (Barney), another pair making a final appearance here. They moved up to second after adding just two time faults to their score to date.
“I’m currently working in London so I haven’t ridden much in the last two months, and not at all for the last week,” explained Georgina, 20. “We really only came along to have a bit of fun, but he felt amazing — my sister Henrietta has been great keeping him fit for me. I knew he had the scope to jump the joker, and I was always going to attempt it.”
A special journey from Dublin paid off for another flying grey when Allegra Hancock’s ride, Corries Jack In A Box, headed a competitive 133cm class for the second year running, having scored last year with Allegra’s older sister, Lucy.
Two clear rounds plus a successful attempt at the joker moved Allegra, 12, and her enthusiastic eight-year-old up from 13th place after dressage.
This is another on-form pair, having won the prestigious Tom Robinson performance championship — the Irish equivalent to the Gold
Cup — at Dublin this year, and the restricted worker final at the BSPS championships.
“We brought the cup over with us to return it, but didn’t dream we would be taking it back again,” said Allegra’s mother, Jane.
Burghley debutantes Madeline Plumb, 16, and Allandy Gold Spark, reigning BSPS Desert Orchid class winners, headed the 143cm division, rising from 11th after dressage by virtue of two polished clears and a successful joker attempt.
“We only found out about this competition in June and qualified for it last week at the BSPS championships,” said Madeline’s mother, Amanda, who has the 15-year-old skewbald on lease from Georgia Aungier.