On Sunday 10th April the Beccles & Bungay Riding Club Junior Show Jumping team competed in the British Riding Clubs KBIS Novice Winter Show Jumping Championship at the College Equestrian Centre in Keysoe, Bedfordshire having qualified earlier in February at the Area Qualifiers held at Topthorn EC.
The team was made up of Elle Mitchell (India Moonslate), Charlie Fairchild (Charlie), Shannon Harrison (Florries Angel) and Thom Grayston (Denser) who had been a last minute replacement for the team at the qualifier.
Twenty four teams took part in the Championship which turned into a nail biting competition. After the first round the Beccles & Bungay team were clear. They needed to finish the second round with no more than four faults to be in with a chance. After the first three riders had gone the team score stood at eight faults so they needed the final rider, Shannon Harrison to have a clear round as it was the best three rounds that counted. Florries Angel, Shannon’s horse had found the atmosphere all a bit overwhelming in the first round but despite the pressure they found their form and simply flew the second round finishing clear.
This meant a jump off against Atherstone and District RC.
Beccles and Bungay team finished on a score of five, from one fence down and one time penalty. This meant Atherstones last rider needed a clear round for them to take victory. But they were unable to secure this and their team finished on a score of eight.
Team manager Helen Regan said ‘It was a fantastic weekend and a well-deserved win by the team who have all worked hard to achieve this’. Team trainer Zoe Rafferty said ‘It was a real team effort. The tracks were challenging but they took on everything we had discussed on the course walks. They were brilliant. I am really proud of them’.
Thom Grayston, a newcomer to our teams, was very impressive being one of the very few competitors to achieve a double clear and then went clear in the jump off as well.
This is the second year in a row that the Beccles & Bungay RC Junior team has won the Winter Novice Show Jumping Championship.
Our winning team. From left to right Shannon Harrison (Florries Angel), Charlie Fairchild (Charlie), Thom Grayston (Denser) & Ellie Mitchell (India Moonslate)
Well done to everyone concerned, from parents, friends and family who travelled to support the teams. To Helen Regan, team manager and Zoe Rafferty, team trainer, for giving up so much of their time to encourage and support the team and not least to the team members and their horses for coming home with such a fantastic result.
We are very proud of you all.
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