Summer Regional Championships: Mount Ballan Manor

The concluding Summer Regional Championship of the year took place just across the Severn Bridge at Mount Ballan Manor in Monmouthshire (16-17 August 2022). There was fierce competition for the last available tickets to next month’s LeMieux National Championships at Somerford Park, resulting in strong performances across the levels.

Lucy Bridgwater, wife of racehorse trainer David Bridgwater, won the BETTALIFE Novice Silver class with a super 72.22% on her own Monaco II (Moses x Fidermark) - pictured above. Lucy was delighted with the six-year-old piebald gelding, “He went beautifully - he was on my aids and a pleasure to ride. I’m especially proud of our 8.5 for the final halt,” she enthused.

Bought as a three-year-old, Lucy has produced Westphalian gelding Monaco II herself and describes him as her best friend, “As soon as he hears my door open, he calls to me from the yard.”

Lucy trains with Sonnar Murray-Brown and credits working with the racehorses for helping with her fitness “I’ve learnt so much from him (Sonnar), he is just so talented. I must be so infuriating to teach when he is so good!” she smiled. “I ride out six racehorses a day and one dressage horse - it certainly helps me keep a strong core!”

The Centre Line Preliminary Silver class was won by Lynden Barrow with her seven-year-old skewbald mare Fleur C (Finest x Samaii) - pictured above - with a score of 69.77%. Lynden told us, “I am over the moon with her, she is a lovely mare - so sweet. This is only her second competitive year, and she goes into the ring, switches on and really performs. I was much more nervous than she was!

“My nephew rides her in Quest, and she really looks after him and turns in a good test for him,” continued Lynden. “She has been on Corrina Jenkinson’s yard since she came over from Germany as a yearling. I showed her in hand for Corrina then decided to buy her. I work in a secondary school science department and Mount Ballan was the only Regional I could get to, so I was delighted to win and get a place at the Nationals.”

The highest score of the show came courtesy of Alice Peternell and the AES approved stallion Vespasiano (pictured above), winners of The Centre Line Preliminary Gold regional title. Vespasiano, a five-year-old son of Vitalis, and out of a Fürstenball mare, showed his potential with a performance full of quality to earn 77.64%.

“He is owned by Kate Pfistermuller, who I’ve been teaching for a while,” commented Alice. “We went and picked him before Christmas, and he only started competing at the end of May/beginning of June, so he’s green – but lovely.

“He’s a stallion with a lovely temperament,” she continued. “And I’m thrilled with how he coped with his first stayaway show. He came from Holland through Daniella van Tuijl, who we’ve known for a long time. When we went to view him, I loved everything about him. He’s beautiful to look at, his temperament is straightforward, he’s got three good paces, and he gives a good feel. Both myself and Kate knew he was the one.”

Sonnar Murray-Brown with Michelle Wilson’s young mare Stolen Secret impressed to win the Equitop Elementary Gold. The six-year-old daughter of London 2012 team gold medal-winning stallion, Uthopia, was beautifully presented by Sonnar to win on 73.13%. “Secret winning her regionals this week. Such a professional all the time at six years old,” said Sonnar on social media.

The biggest-scoring combination at the FEI levels was Katie Bailey and Hillgrounds Wolkenhall (Wolkenderry x Sandreo) - pictured above. Harry, as the British-bred gelding is known at home, was piloted by Katie to win the Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Gold on a super score of 74.26%. The top three was completed by Jane Morris with Quinet du Buisson (70.05%) and Elizabeth Allen with Heraldik (69.26%).

Thanks go to the team at Mount Ballan Manor, the National Championship class sponsors and all involved with the Regional Championships. Congratulations to all qualified combinations and to everyone who took part.

Results – top three
The Centre Line Preliminary Silver
1. Lynden Barrow and Fleur C, 69.77%
2. Diane Dickson and DST Bulgari, 69.14%
3. Carol Williams and Bonmahon Annie, 67.70%

The Centre Line Preliminary Gold
1. Alice Peternell and Vespasiano, 77.64%
2. Sarah Wilkinson and Nicolaas B, 76.84%
3. Sara Squires and Van Kaunitz, 74.37%

BETTALIFE Novice Silver
1. Lucy Bridgwater and Monaco II, 72.22%
2. Mathew Procter and AB Milton-D, 71.91%
3. Alicia Roberts and Godin Linda, 71.17%

BETTALIFE Novice Gold
1. Jessica Davies and Kadanz II, 74.81%
2. Christian Lovell and Total Impact II, 74.14%
3. Rob Barker and San Francisco WD, 72.59%

Equitop Elementary Silver
1. Alicia Roberts and Godin Linda, 70.00%
2. Tamsin Hembrough and Sancerre, 69.74%
3. Ceri Shephard and Delta Dawn HFD, 67.76%

Equitop Elementary Gold
1. Sonnar Murray-Brown and Stolen Secret, 73.13%
2. Bryony Goodwin and Sparkle II, 71.93%
3. Maria Griffin and Satin II, 70.63%

TopSpec Medium Silver
1. Brendan Tegg and Foxcourt Solar Eclipse, 70.59%
2. Georgie Nicholls and Briarwood Notorious, 69.59%
3. Leonie Brown and Wishaw Lord Nelson, 69.28%

TopSpec Medium Gold
1. Gijs van Vooren and Hawtins Fiorano, 73.78%
2. Brendan Tegg and Haybrook Welita, 70.00%
3. Serena Pincus and Sheepcote Floyd, 69.68%

Andrews Bowen Advanced Medium Silver
1. Sara Squires and Laetitius C, 68.46%
2. Jessica Davies and Sparkling Moet, 68.33%
3. Emily Dove and Jaguar DHI, 67.11%

Andrews Bowen Advanced Medium Gold
1. Martha Jobling-Purser and Ivan Carlos, 70.96%
2. Davy Harvey and Diamond Blue, 70.83%
3. Jezz Palmer and Tiny Dancer, 70.18%

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges Silver
1. Jessica McConkey and Wilson Stensvang, 70.10%
2. Anna Brown and Bocelli V, 69.07%
3. Jacob Denham and Woodcroft Don Diego, 66.91%

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges Gold
1. Calum Whitworth and Damaris S, 72.50%
2. Daniel Bremner and Frederico, 71.08%
3. Alexander Harrison and MSJ Top Secret, 70.44%

Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Silver
1. Jacob Denham and Woodcroft Don Diego, 66.86%
2. Anna Brown and Bocelli V, 65.98%
3. Helen Askey and Boston HS, 63.24%

Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Gold
1. Katie Bailey and Hillgrounds Wolkenhall, 74.26%
2. Jane Morris and Quinet du Buisson Z, 70.05%
3. Elizabeth Allen and Heraldik, 69.26%

FULL RESULTS

Photo © Kevin Sparrow