Team GB's Tina Cook was one of the well-known names at BCA, seen here riding Mexican Law
An Eventful Life filmed all competitors on cross country at
Berkshire College Of Agriculture - order or view videos here
Despite the threat of Storm Miguel in the background, Berkshire College of Agriculture managed to escape relatively unscathed and the ground dried out beautifully as the weekend went on, leaving an excellent surface to run on. The winning horses at this event were overwhelmingly ridden by their owners, with one or two high profile owners in the mix, demonstrating the all-inclusive nature of all of BEDE’s events.
The Novice Section A was won by Khia Cadney-Moon on Dalme D’Or De Blanche (Hugo) and she also took third place in the BE100 Section H with Cooley Exchange, both horses are owned by herself. This was her first visit to BCA and she was particularly impressed with the bold but inviting cross country and perfect ground conditions. Khia has had both her horses from four years old and produced them slowly; it’s clearly working because BCA was only Hugo’s second novice competition!
The Novice Section B was won by Nicola Collins on her own Jumbo’s Rose II and Howard Newitt won the Novice Section C on Grovine Class Act, owned by himself. Howard is a busy guy being an equine vet, FEI vet and part time eventer so was very pleased to get his first win at Novice level with this horse. He said of the event, “I’ve always found horses go well at BCA and I’ve known organiser Stuart Buntine of BEDE since he taught me in pony club which was more years ago than either of us would care to remember!”
The Novice Section D was won by Kristina Cook on her own Mexican Rose and the Open Novice under 18 Section E was won by Daisy Minter and Another Island, owned by Christopher Minter.
Seventeen-year-old Flora Macfarlane won the BE100 Open Under 18 Section F on her own Squire Rebel, known as Rebs at home. This was their second win on the trot, having triumphed in the same class at Pontispool last month. Flora got the ride on Rebs about a year ago after her mum had a lot of fun hunting him over the winter, though a little hesitant about riding a much bigger horse than she was used to, Flora and Rebs are now the best of friends and she says that taking the ride on him was the best decision she ever made.
“What I love most about Rebs is his character. He makes me laugh and puts a smile on my face without fail every time I ride him. He is just a genuine horse with such a personality and is another member of the family. The more we have grown as a partnership, the better we get; we work as a team. It is no longer him guiding and teaching me the ropes of eventing; it is a two way system. Out on the cross country he knows when to listen to me when he needs a bit of help, but equally he knows when to just do it and tell me to hold tight!”
“We did our dressage test in very windy conditions but Rebel felt incredible and performed beautifully to produce a 22.5. He followed this up with a lovely clear show jumping round. By the time we got over to the cross country course I was really feeling the pressure. Rebs quite literally grows in the start box and gets quite strong because he loves it so much so I was worried about making some of the turns with some tricky combinations on course. However, he was such a good boy and flew round inside the time by 10 seconds. The feeling of coming through the finish reduced me to tears knowing we’d done it twice on the trot and Rebs knew it too and was very pleased with himself!”
“I would like to say massive thank you to everyone who is a part of this sport and makes it all happen: my parents and family, friends and trainers; Marie Ryan and Annie Hunter-Blair and Emma Corbett, but especially my mother who dedicates all her time to me and the horses taxiing me around the country and putting up with me at the best and worst of times. At the end of the day, this is FUN and I enjoy every second of this sport, even when it doesn’t go to plan, it is what you learn from it that counts.”
BE100 Section G was won by Holly Woodhead on Joan Marsh’s DHI Houdini, Section H by Alison Burns on her own Professor Sprout, Section M by Katy Jones on her own Step Smartly and Section P by Molly Faulkner on Finesse 372, owned by Amanda Faulkner.
Alana Sparrow won Section N on Angels Spirit owned by Rasshied Din, CEO of Chelwood Equestrian, East Sussex - who Alana works for. Alana manages the 160 acre farm and equestrian centre (about 50 horses).
Angels Spirit, affectionately known as Goose, was the MMCUP 100 winner this year and continued her great form by winning her section at BCA by 7 penalties. Alana says “we've build up a really confident partnership, and after riding lots of young green horses its lovely to get back into 'my slippers' when I'm on her as we are so in sync”. Alana’s other ride, Ardagh Aladdin, known as Robin and also owned by Rasshied Din, produced another wonderful double clear – he’s a six year old and started his eventing career this season. Robin was bought by Rasshied from Brook and Kathy Staples at the end of last year
“We are exceptionally grateful to them as they have done the most amazing job in producing him and giving him the time that he has needed - he has got a very exciting future ahead of him and I can't wait! I am very lucky to be riding these horses, and very grateful to all those around me who make it happen!”
Alana also has a young horse of her own, and is looking to build up a few more rides and a career as an event rider. Alana, Goose and Robin (collectively known as “the birds”!) had a great day at BCA, and will be out and about competing for the rest of the season.
BE100 Section O was won by Harriet Upton on Twinkle, owned by Her Majesty The Queen. Harriet describes him as “a really cool horse who I have produced from a three year old. I've been really careful not to rush him as he was very spooky and sharp as a younger horse and he has also grown a lot. This year he has come into his own. He is such a character cheekiest horse I've ever ridden. I’m aiming him for Osberton 6 Year Old Championship at the end of the season”. Harriet also ran her six year old Beauchamp Pasha HC, who she bought off the racecourse for £600.
Harriet is an advanced rider and has previously ridden for Team GB as a junior. At home she has another horse from the Queen and her advanced horse Kilkenny Lady. In addition to the horses Harriet has also set up “We ARE Athletes”, and is working towards her level 3 qualification in personal training so she can share her experience and knowledge to train riders to be the athletes they should be!
BE90 Section I was won on Coolodge Sox, ridden by Laura Ridout, who works with her parents breaking and producing horses near Moreton-in-Marsh. Laura has owned Sox for 9 years and describes him as “an overgrown naughty pony, but a good one” (watch Laura and Sox's cross country ride here)
Julie Middleton-Reid won Section K on Lady Jessicka, who she has owned for nine years. Julie says “we have recently joined BD to try to improve our dressage and it seems to be paying off as we have managed three sub 30 scores this season. I really enjoy the BCA event. When I took Jessie home for a well-deserved outing to her paddock I had no idea I was in the lead, so it was a lovely surprise when the secretary rang to let me know. Thank you to all who helped make it a great day.”
BE90 Section L was won by 21 year old Ollie Martin on his own MIH Harlequin. Ollie produces horses to event with his mum and dad and says “we work really well together as a team and I do all the competing. MIH Harlequin has a fantastic attitude and being only her second event I am delighted with the win, she was very relaxed all day and took it all in her stride, Harlequin will now go on to a BE100 and then be advertised to be sold as unfortunately we can’t keep them all”.
The feedback from the winners just proves how welcoming and friendly this event was and the effort put into the course was outstanding!
Article by Jess Johnson
We love the piano fence!
