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British Riding Clubs NAF Five Star National Championships 2018

Posted on Thursday, September 6, 2018 by Sasha Melia

The BRC NAF Five Star National Championships 2018, took place at the Lincolnshire Showground, on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 September.

 

Over the weekend the showground played host to two full days of exciting equestrian competition, kindly sponsored once again by NAF. We had around 1,600 competitors, both seniors and juniors with over 630 on-site stables. 15 Dressage and Riding Test arenas had classes ranging from Walk/Trot to Advanced Medium dressage, Prelim and Novice Riding Tests, plus Pairs and Teams of Four Dressage. Seven skilfully designed Show Jumping and Style Jumping arenas, had courses ranging from 70cm to 110cm. All culminating in yet another incredibly successful weekend of competition from British Riding Clubs, bathed in glorious sunshine all weekend, with many thrilled winners representing clubs across the UK.

 

“The NAF Five Star British Riding Club Championships at Lincoln just gets better every year and 2018 certainly did not disappoint with two days of outstanding competition. The riders, horses, team managers, support teams, wonderful volunteers and all those working at the Championships made it magical and are truly inspirational.

 

The most beautiful weather added to an event full of team spirit! We thoroughly enjoyed meeting each and every Riding Club member new and old, hearing about their horses and their successes with NAF products. We very much look forward to seeing you all for another fun filled NAF Five Star British Riding Club National Championships in 2019.” Eloise Chugg-Martin, NAF Brand Manager.

 

Area 5 had an extremely successful Championships with notable wins in the Open 110 team Show Jumping, which went to Solihull RC and the overall individual champion was Lauren Shelley riding Falconlake Mercedes from Crown RC, who has had an incredibly successful year of competition. The Senior Style Jumping was won by a team from Rugby RC. Michele Carman, Rugby RC member sums up what it means to compete at a BRC Championship.

 

“Rugby Riding Club ended the summer season on a similar high to our fantastic start at our camp in April. There has never been a better time to embody the riding club ethos – yes we ‘Rode Together’ – all ages and stages, we ‘Trained Together’ – with great coaches and team spirit, we ‘Competed Together’ – at all area qualifiers and most of the championships. And boy did we have ‘Fun Together!’

 

We have had an amazing year for such a small club with only about 12 competitive riders, with everyone having a go at everything!

 

Winning ribbons and salvers and even the elusive much sort after NAF rugs in dressage, horse trials, show jumping and style jumping, with the Dressage to Music Champs still to come! The Lincoln weekend was the icing on the cake for the riders and supporters with wonderful weather and amazing organisation – we can’t wait for next year.”

 

Atherstone RC juniors were also in the ribbons on a number of occasions with a win in the junior Riding Test Championship, finishing on a team score of 10.

 

Emma Hopkins, Atherstone & District RC Riding Test team manager said “It’s a lovely event, which is well organised and everyone is friendly and helpful. The rugs and sashes make the riders feel special and are a really nice touch. We love coming here.”

 

Junior rider Maisie Arnold from Bath RC in Area 9, was absolutely thrilled with her stunning, expressive, 7 year old, piebald mare Libertina Two Tone, who won both the junior Elementary and individual junior Dressage Championships, with +70% dressage scores.

 

Laura Scawthon riding Lisdoogan Cruise from Tickhill RC in Area 16, who was in the third placed junior Style Jumping team, had a very emotional day, she qualified on her horse Drifter but Drifter died from a twisted gut on 21 August so had to ride Lisdoogan Cruise an 11year old grey mare.

 

“It’s been an emotional day for us. To win this has made what was a horrible day into a good day, and this will also be my her last junior competition.”

 

Over 250 fabulous volunteers assisted us all weekend, working in a wide range of key roles, from pole picking and arena stewarding to tack checking and dressage writing. Our scorers calculated that over the two days they added up a total of 892 dressage and riding test score sheets, which needed checking twice to ensure their accuracy. We receive so many wonderful comments about our volunteers, they were always organised and helpful with smiling faces, a true credit to the organisation.

 

The British Horse Society (BHS) shared their exciting new initiative to coaches and centres at this year’s BRC National Championships. The Challenge Awards are aimed at recreational riders and offer 26 different awards at varying levels (bronze, silver and gold), they cover all aspects of horse care and riding.

 

Full results and pictures can be found on the BRC website and facebook pages.

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