Spring was in the air at the recent three day British Showjumping advanced progressive show at The Cabin Equestrian Centre, Inverurie.
Jumping to double victory in the Horse and Hound Foxhunter was self-employed teaching and riding services owner Sarah Gibb.
She notched up her first of three class wins on the opening of the three-day contest within the Newcomers class on her grey mare Chellijana Z.
Known at home as Frosty, the nippy mare showed off her legendary speed to take the class.
Sarah then returned to the arena to top the following class the Foxhunter on the 10-year-old “very tricky” gelding Wot Not.
“He has a lot of energy and loves his job, but, he can be like a bucking bronco at times,” explained Sarah.
Wot Not latterly repeated this class win on the closing day of the show.
Meanwhile, the same classes on the Saturday of the show were dominated by Ellon-based Harriet Ross on her eight-year-old mare BF Adelaide, aka Lola, sired by Euro Commerce Berlin.
“She had a break over Christmas because I had my dissertation to do,” said Harriet.
“But she has come back fresh and ready to rock!
“We went to SNEC a couple of weeks ago and she was on top form she is just on a roll at the moment. I also got a new bit for Christmas which has helped a lot,” she added.
“She jumped so good on Saturday at The Cabin but she was fast asleep Sunday morning so I decided she could stay at home in Sunday for a duvet day and is only took my other horse. She just puts everything into her jumping and try’s her hardest every single time. She wants to win just as much as I do.”
No stranger to the spotlight with top showjumper Mark Maher as her father was Deeside-based 17-year-old Jodie Maher on four-year-old Editor, which led Sunday’s Discovery entry.
The gelding, which was bought from Sandra Low Mitchell, in September last year, has had a break over winter to mature and has come back stronger in himself.
“This was his first show back since November and he felt great. I’m hoping we’ll be jumping Newcomers classes soon,” commented Jodie.
Leading Friday’s 95cm open was Echt based British Eventing accredited trainer Sue Hendry on the coloured gelding Tomahawk.
The partnership also added another string to their bow with a second in the hotly contested Discovery.
“Tom has been jumping BS since September last year and has been in the money every outing,” said Sue.
“He was originally my former driving pony and we were long listed for the world championship team at one point.
“He then evented very successfully featuring in two of the top 100 lists in the UK of Foundation points gained and qualified for the Grass Roots Championship at Badminton. He’s a talented wee chap and loves to jump.”
Results
Friday.
80cm unaff: 1 Clover Royale, Amanda Peterson; 2 Gracie, Claire Morrison; 3 Charlie, Mel Raffan. British novice: 1 Devils Darnay, Kimberley Soutar; 2 Ettorio L, Freya Cluness; 3 Budsier, Aileen Field. Discovery: 1 Waldomar Fortuna, Laura Smith; 2 Tomahawk, Sue Hendry; 3 Balinteskin Felice, Emma Murray. 95cm open: 1 Tomahawk, Sue Hendry; 2 Born Free, Iona Cameron; 3 Suzie Q, Kirsty Richardson. Newcomers/1m10 open: 1 Chellijana Z, Sarah Gibb; 2 Ultimo Ashbank, Sarah Gibb; 3 Harlequin Clover, Kirsty Richardson. Foxhunter/1m20 open: 1 Wot Not, Sarah Gibb; 2 Celebrity Bee, Freya Cluness.
Saturday.
80cm unaff: 1 Clover Royale, Amanda Peterson; 2 Pallas Fields, Dionne Ritchie; 3 Sundance, Amy Bell. British novice: 1 irish Mist IV, Jessica Diack; 2 Naoreegee two To Go, Anna McFadyen; 3 Ballyrussell PA, Katie Moore. Discovery: 1 Manhattan Skyline II, Sophie Bultitude; 2 Condor III, Kimberley McCombie; 3 Apache Flash, Fiona Quennell. 1m05 open: 1 Persian Coin, Harriet Baird; 2 Harry Hedgehog, Aileen Ferrari; 3 Could Be Lucky, Lesley Campbell. Newcomers/1m10 open: 1 BF Adelaide, Harriet Ross; 2 Pereusa, Lesley Ross; 3 Willow IX, Brian Fitzpatrick. Foxhunter/1m20: 1 BF Adelaide, Harriet Ross; 2 Harlequin Cliver, Kirsty Richardson; 3 Pariss III, Fraser McDonald. 1m25 open: 1 Cameron Poe, Aimee Bell.
Sunday.
80cm unaff: 1 Onyx Diamond, Mel Raffan; 2 Miss Luciana, Catherine Hollingdale; 3 Pippin, Freya Hartley. British novice: 1 Balou Rhapsody, Kim Tedcastle; 2 Editor, Jodie Maher; 3 Eireannach Burehail, Hannah Lumsden. Discovery: 1 Editor, Jodie Maher; 2 Ballinteskin Felice, Emma Murray; 3 La Saphir, Amy Clark. 1m05 open: 1 Paris III, Fraser McDonald; 2 Casper Z, Harriet Ross; 3 Destiny VIII, Jodie Maher. Newcomers/1m10: 1 Skye IV, Jules Colburn; 2 Chellijana Z, Sarah Gibb; 3 Casper Z, Harriet Ross. Foxhunter/1m20 open: 1 Wot Not, Sarah Gibb; 2 Paris III, Fraser McDonald; 3 Pereusa, Lesley Ross.