ENDURANCE GB CROWNS 2018 YOUNG RIDER NATIONAL CHAMPION

Posted on Thursday, July 12, 2018 by Sasha Melia

The British Young Rider National Championships took place this past weekend at Kings Forest, Thetford, in some of the toughest conditions seen so far this year.

Endurance GB is extremely proud to announce that the 2018 Young Rider National Champion is Endurance GB Spotlight Scholar, Ella Bunting, who rode Emma Daniel’s Aly’s Estrella de Rock to victory last Saturday. The combination successfully completed the CEIYJ2* 120km ride at King’s Forest (GBR) in what can only be described as extremely challenging conditions. With temperatures well over 30 degrees centigrade, excellent horsemanship and understanding were required by all riders competing across the entire field of classes.

The Young Rider Championships was a closely fought affair throughout the day. Five of the entrants in the CEIYJ2* were eligible to compete for the coveted title. In the initial stages the British contingent was dominated by Charlie Chadwick (GBR) partnered by Aragorn, Charlie’s mother’s 14 year old Arab gelding. Chadwick sat in second place behind the class leader Hamdan Ahmed Mohd Al Marri (UAE) with a comfortable nine minute lead over 3^rd and 4^th placed Bunting and Katie Bedwin (GBR) respectively.

As the day progressed the extreme conditions took their toll with two combinations failing to qualify for their next respective stages. British rider Keighley Pomroy’s ambitions were dashed at Vet Gate Two where her horse Hathek was judged to have an irregular gait. Despite Chadwick’s early success her day was cut short at the fourth Vet Gate, just 16km from the finish, where Aragorn also failed to qualify for the final stage due to an irregular gait. This left the competition wide open between the three remaining British riders. Bunting left on to the final loop with a two minute lead over Bedwin, with Harry Ollis (GBR) riding Kirsty Wiscombe’s homebred bay mare, Yawl Hill Pollyanna, a further nine minutes behind.

Bunting and Bedwin rode the last loop together, as they had done the entire ride leading up to that point, ensuring their horses had company and were well motivated for the final stage. However, it was Ollis who put in the quickest final loop at 15.4kph – he successfully created a four minute lead over his compatriots, crossing the finish line in 2^nd place behind 1^st placed Al Marri (UAE), who had completed the course nearly two hours beforehand. However, Ollis’ joy was short lived as Yawl Hill Pollyanna was judged to be lame at the final vetting. Bunting and Bedwin crossed the finish line together, hand in hand, having tackled the tough course together all day – the perfect display of camaraderie, sportsmanship and support with just one second separating the pair’s final result. Both combinations passed the final vetting and the 2018 National Champion and Reserve Champion were crowned!

Various other classes took place over the weekend at the popular Thetford venue. Nicki Thorne, Chair of Endurance GB, said: “Special thanks to all those involved in ensuring a smooth and successful event despite the extremely testing conditions; the ride organising committee, the volunteers and officials, and of course, ongoing support from HPower Endurance and event sponsor Meydan.”

Amongst many other things participants were treated to, top class veterinary services, unlimited ice and a very tasty barbeque for all in attendance on the Saturday evening.

Great Britain’s Chef de Mission announced for WEG 2018

Posted on Thursday, July 12, 2018 by Sasha Melia

The British Equestrian Federation has today confirmed that British Eventing Chief Executive, David Holmes, will be the Chef de Mission for Great Britain at the upcoming World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina, USA (11-23 September 2018).

With previous experience in this role at a WEG, with the Italian delegation in 2010, David has a wealth of knowledge of the FEI disciplines, and will take-up the role in early September, travelling out just prior to the Opening Ceremony.

Chief Executive of the BEF, Nick Fellows said; “Following the departure of the BEF’s Performance Director earlier this year, we have been looking closely at the interim support required for this year’s championships with our Member Bodies, whilst we formalise the recruitment process for a new Performance Director, and I am delighted to confirm that David has agreed to undertake the Chef de Mission role at these championships. His experience and knowledge will be invaluable in enabling him to fulfil the role for the GB team.”

In taking on the Chef de Mission role, David does so with the full support of the British Eventing Board.

Commenting David said; “I am thrilled to be supporting the British team as Chef de Mission for WEG 2018. The BEF’s World Class Programme have been working hard on the planning for the Games, and I look forward to working closely with the team to ensure we deliver the best environment for the British squads heading out to Tryon.”

Equestrian Team GBR is supported by the UK Sport National Lottery funded World Class Programme; the British teams are very grateful to the support they receive from official partners Dodson and Horrell, Equi-Trek, FALPRO England, Musto, NAF and Point Two.