One of British Eventing’s young members and bright stars in the sport, Iona Sclater, has died in a riding accident at home on Sunday 11 August.
Long-listed for the 2017 and 2019 European Championships for Ponies, 15 year old Iona was an exceptionally talented and dedicated young event rider. In just five seasons competing with British Eventing, Iona amassed 33 top ten results and represented the Eastern region four times at the Under 18 Regional Team Championships (2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019).
Iona’s impressive results this season to secure her a place on the Pony European Championships long-list, include taking second place in the Pony Trial at Weston Park (1) and fourth in the Pony Trial at Lincolnshire Horse Trials in April, both on her pony Foxtown Cufflynx. Most recently Iona won the BE100u18 at Stratford Hills this June on Foxtown Cufflynx, and also claimed the win in the BE100 at Aston Le Walls (2) in May riding Machno Excalibur, along with the Open Novice Under 18 at Burnham Market International (1) in April with Janet Willis’ Watermill Rocks.
It has been a difficult week in the sport with 32-year-old Jennifer (Jeffie) Chapin also suffering a fatal accident whilst competing at the Green Mountain Horse Association’s Festival of Eventing in the USA. Our thoughts are with the family, friends and connections of Iona and Jennifer
