Next Generation of Talent on Display at The Pony Club Novice Championships
Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre, Cheshire, played host to the thirteenth Pony Club Novice Championships, generously supported by NFU Mutual during the weekend The Pony Club Novice Championships of August 24-25th.
The Novice Championships are the starting point for the future competitive talent in The Pony Club, and hold the finals at Novice level for Pony Club Eventing, Show Jumping and Dressage. The two day event, run by the Cheshire Hunt North Branch of The Pony Club, welcomes Members in both teams and as individuals, aged between 10 and 18.
The weather was kind over the weekend with just a spot of rain, but enough sun to ensure spirits were certainly not dampened, for competitors in numbers of 750 upwards from across the UK.
In Arena 1, Anna Kelly on Annagh Storm competing for North Down finished in 20th position, Hollie Smith on Gucci Rush, competing for Iveagh finished in 21st position
Arena 2 saw Clare Bankhead and Sasha finishing in 7th place for North Down, while Bonnie Smith and Peggy Sue competing for Iveagh finished in 37th position for Iveagh.
Arena 3 and Holly Boal on Classiebawn Jack’s Lad for North Down finish in 23rd position, while Herbie Purce and Tully Tiger for Iveagh completed in 29th place.
Arena 4 Christine McVeigh and Harcourt Pebbles for North Down finished in 18th position, with Charlotte Eakin and Midnight Dancer finished in 24th for Iveagh.
Arena 5 Emma Lapin and Rafa finished in 9th place
Individual eventing in Arena 6, Charlotte De Montmorency on Rupert the Bear for North Down finished in 23rd position, with Caitie Slater and Colour Code Chinook for Iveagh completed in 21st place.
Overall teams, North Down finished in 17th place, while Iveagh finished in 34th.
The Wilton Hunt Branch winning the Team Eventing, the Duke of Buccleuch Branch made their long trip worthwhile by taking the top slot in the Team Show Jumping and it was the Staff College and Sandhurst Branch’s day in the team Dressage.
“The 2013 Pony Club NFU Mutual Novice Championships were the most wonderful demonstration of Pony Club novice competition at its best!” comments Joan Deakin, District Commissioner for the Cheshire Hunt North Branch. “From the outset, NFU Mutual has remained a loyal sponsor to the event, encouraging and supporting its growth, helping it to become the successful weekend of grassroots sport that it now is”.
