18/10/2026
Late night report from Area 4 Winter Show Jumping Qualifier at Bishop Burton this weekend… a weekend (as always) with a bit of everything… we know what horses are like!! We started with the Mixed 60 yesterday… unfortunately, the first timers jumping for the club Sienna Whitaker- Turner and Deb Lau both parted company with their steeds at Fence 9… not the result either wanted but they will both be back out next weekend in the rosettes I’m sure, we then had Vicky Oldroyd and Fia Beetlestone who both had a fence down in the 60 so no placings. Next up, Senior 70 with Vicky and Dave again who picked up a bit too much racehorse speed and sadly rolled a few poles, Rebecca Johnson and Willow had an unlucky pole, Jaye McNicholas and Kalganov, another ex racer had an unfortunate pole with Rachel Turner riding Add Venture for a lovely clear. The team finished 5th. It wasn’t our day for Senior 80 Team, Rachel Turner rode another fabulous clear round, Ellie Deaville’s mare had an uncharacteristic stop which resulted in a few time penalties, Jaye and Kalganov rolled a couple of poles and Clair Hinchliffe on her youngster Robyn had a great educational round for two poles so no placings. Liesl Lodge also rode individually in the Senior 80 but had sat nav issues!!
Sunday saw the turn of (mostly) juniors… the Junior 70 team consisted of Fia Beetlestone on her youngster Toby who had 2 poles, Sienna Mansaf on Joey who had an unfortunate pole, new member Poppy Gartside had a stop which resulted in a few time penalties, and Bea Hosker rode a lovely round for one pole down. This meant the team weren’t placed but all girls did brilliantly. Chloe Hallas also rode Patch in the 70 as an individual… it’s fair to say Chloe battles with her nerves and was simply fantastic… we knew she had it in her… even when Patch had a cheeky run out at the penultimate fence, she rode like a pro and represented and finished without a pole down!! Well done Chloe. We then moved to the Junior 80 Team, Bea Hosker rode a fabulous clear (for a few time penalties, but we’ll take that as Luigi can be like a racing car, so seeing such a controlled round was wonderful!!), Poppy Gartside made sure it was second time lucky for her and Jack and rode a fabulous clear, Abigail Wellings rode a lovely round on Patch for an unfortunate pole, as did Sienna Mansaf on Joey… which meant the girls finished on 8 faults and took the win!! Could not be more proud of the girls… what a team for the future… considering juniors are up to age 18, these girls are aged 10-13 so what a result against older ones!!!!
The Mixed 90 team (three of which completed their rounds Saturday)… Ellie Deaville and Tixy rode a lovely round for one down, as did Clair Hinchliffe on her older horse Blue. Liesl redeemed herself in the 90 and jumped a quick clear… and then Sunday, Lydia Wimpenny on her new horse Dolly rode a lovely clear to complete the team… meaning the team finished on 4 faults and took the WIN and Liesl won individually. Well done ladies. Charlie Wells was an individual in the 90 on the young Cooper and rode a lovely clear, just not quite quick enough to be in the rosettes. Lastly, in the Mixed 100, we had Eliza Holroyd on Fonzie who rode a lovely controlled round for one unfortunate pole to finish 4th and Charlie went again in the 100 on Cooper who took the WIN with the only Clear in the class.
What a weekend, so much to like, as always, lots of homework for everyone, whether it’s for the next competition, the winter training or looking ahead to the Championships at Arena UK next April… the team camaraderie is wonderful to watch, especially watching friendships grow with the Juniors… thanks to everyone for entering, supporting our riders and to Area 4 and volunteers for putting the competition on.
Well done everyone. 💜🐴💛🏆
