Double Victories All-round At Bishop Burton’s October Horse Trials

It was a weekend of doubles at this year’s Bishop Burton 2 Horse Trials as seasoned pro Ben Hobday and eventing newcomer Noah Brook took home double victories.

Hobday, who has recently returned to eventing following a period out of the circuit, stole the show with a bold and committed cross country performance on Shadow Man II. The duo, marked their sixth victory of the season by delivering a foot-perfect cross country run around the college’s challenging 80-hectare parkland terrain.

The rider, who also competed at the May Horse Trials at Bishop Burton, stomped to victory in two separate classes, riding Aberllanerch High Tide in the BE100 sponsored by CAD Associates Ltd. and Shadow Man II in the Open Novice section.

“This weekend has been a great experience and I’m really happy with our results,” said Ben. “Shadow Man II never fails to disappoint me and Aberllanerch High Tide has really improved since the start of the season. I’m looking forward to 2017 – we’ve already started preparing for it so we’re looking to give other riders a run for their money!”

This year’s stand out performance however, came from 20-year-old Noah Brook – a relative newcomer to the British Eventing circuit.

Noah, who hails from Retford, delivered a near faultless dressage test with his horse Gabanna HFD, putting him in an enviable position on the leader board early on in Section K (BE100). With a clear showjumping round and a perfectly timed cross country run, the duo finished a staggering seven points clear of the second placed combination, Lois Teal and Z7 Catastrophe.

The surprise of the day however, came with his second ride, Carlensky. Having never ridden competitively together, the duo delivered a seasoned performance to take home their second top spot of the competition; their first as a new pairing.

I had a great event,” said Noah. “I’m thrilled with the success of Gabanna HFD as he has now done four events and won them all.”

“Carlensky is a horse I have only ever ridden once cross country schooling and schooled once at home before I met her on the day at the event. Sam Jimmison her part owner has successfully show jumped her and done a couple of events. She’s a seriously talented mare and I loved riding her. I can’t wait to do it again.

He added; “The course at Bishop Burton was a great test for both horses who step up to novice next time out. It had plenty of combinations to think about and a few difficult lines. I thought it was a very well designed course and I enjoyed riding it thoroughly – although I felt the pressure as soon as I entered the start box!”

More than 350 riders competed at this year’s Horse Trials making it one of the largest eventing competitions in the north of England. This year’s event marked the 44th year that British Eventing has held Horse Trials at the College. As one of the last events of the eventing calendar, the weather did not disappoint, with the sun shining down for much of the weekend’s competition.

Bishop Burton’s course-designer Joe Weller had made a few changes to the three tracks, including adding some fences from his own course at Norton Disney and some from the Lincolnshire Horse Trials, which is now organised by Bishop Burton’s sister college, Riseholme College.

“We’re very pleased to have such wonderful surroundings at Bishop Burton. Joe has done a marvellous job in designing a course that plays to the strengths of our parkland. All three courses are challenging in their own right, but we hope our competitors have enjoyed tackling them,” said Kim Knightley, Equine Director at Bishop Burton.

WINNERS

Section A – BE90 sponsored by Bishop Burton College
Mark Poskitt and Millroad Musician (30.0)
Oliver Townend and Magic River (32.4)
Sophie Shepherdson and Park Pippin (32.9)

Section B – BE100 sponsored by Coopers Marquees Ltd.
Sarah Wright and Actor (30.5)
Megan Smart and Cassius Dio (33.0)
Freya Kendrew and Romeo III (34.8)

Section C – BE100 sponsored by CAD Associates Ltd.
Ben Hobday and Aberllanerch High Tide (30.8)
Sasha J Munro Seear and Veledin (31.8)
Jessica McKie and Crumplinpark Genie (35.4)

Section D – Novice sponsored by Bishop Burton College
Jack Leese and Cashman B (27.4)
James Sommerville and Shadow Soldier (31.3)
Oliver Townend and Menlo Park (32.0)

Section E – Novice sponsored by Coopers Marquees Ltd.
Jessica Watts and Sportsfield Adventure (28.5)
Oliver Townend and Attractive Proposition (36.4)
Phil Brown and Harry Robinson (39.8)

Section F – Open Novice sponsored by EY Events.
Ben Hobday and Shadow Man II (24.0)
Emily Grace and Direct Region (31.3)
Sue M Chadwick and Penhill Promising Vision (32.3)

Section G – BE90 sponsored by Caffeine Rush
Lloyd Newton and Pillow Talk III (31.3)
Arthur Marshall and Grange Kobanna (32.0)
Kate Knight and Young King (42.4)

Section H – BE90 sponsored by Bishop Burton College
Hariette Howard and Doctor of Diplomacy (24.5)
Karen Clark and Highfield Nighthawk (29.5)
Kathryn Harrison and Holling Blue Diamond (29.8)

Section I – BE90 sponsored by Coopers Marquees Ltd.
Jake Fowles and Bathleyhills Justified (24.0)
Lucy Hellewell and Chest of Gold II (24.8)
Mark Cavell and Lord Stones (26.3)

Section J – BE90 sponsored by CAD Associates Ltd.
Colin Rae and Livella Z (31.0)
Nicola Hughes and Rathmores Little Artist (31.3)
Kimberley Emsley and Riverhead Outlaw (31.3)

Section K – BE100 sponsored by Bishop Burton College
Noah Brook and Gabanna H F D (25.0)
Lois Teal and Z7 Catastrophe (32.8)
Lauren Milner and Hot Whisky (33.3)

Section L – BE100 sponsored by Coopers Marquees Ltd.
Noah Brook and Carlensky (25.8)
Daniel Megson and Cheeki Chilli Charli (26.3)
Fiona Lundy and C Why (29.3)

Section M – BE100 Open sponsored by EY Events
Sophie Trotter and Montenagro II (25.9)
Neve Clark and Bold Impulse (33.5)
Emma Richardson and Cookie Rich (40.6)