An Eventful Life filmed all competitors on cross country at
Kelsall Hill International (1) Horse Trials 2023 - order or view videos here
Tom Woodward took the headline CCI-S 3* class at Kelsall Hill International with the Cheshire horse trials providing a much-needed boost to morale as the weather has played havoc with the start of the season.
Riding for the "Team Joey" syndicate of Wendy and Jenny Spiller, Tom's clean sheet from his 27.6 penalty dressage score aboard Jaeger Master meant his competitors were left under the table.
“Joey is starting to develop an impressive CV at only nine years' old, having won the CCI-S 2* at Nunney last year and finishing second in the CCI-S Y3* last autumn” says Tom
Tom is also getting recognition for his consistency as a rider. Having been based with Padraig McCarthy and Lucy Wiegersma, Tom set up his own base in Hartpury, Gloucestershire in 2021, winning the Nunney CCI-S Y3* that year with Low Moor Lucky, and this Kelsall Hill victory is his fourth international win; not bad for a 21-year-old.
"I feel very fortunate to already have some wonderful owners, sponsors and some lovely horses to produce and compete in the early stages of my career."
Now in his final year of Young Riders, he has the European Championships in his sights but says "I also feel Joey could be aimed at Blenheim 8/9 year old class and in the meantime he's heading to Bicton for the CCI-L 3*. We'll look to step him up to Advanced and 4* towards the end of the year but the main priority is Joey's well-being and happiness."
With show jumping having been this impressive Royaldik-sired gelding's weak link, Tom explains, "We figured out he show jumps better in a double flap saddle rather than a monoflap and I now jump him in a rubber snaffle."
"I'm very fortunate so have some amazing trainers in Sarah Verney and Carole Broad - I see them both as mentors as well as coaches and have a great relationship with them both and I also can't thank Joey's owners enough for their patience and understanding with this phase to allow me to keep training Joey little by little which has given me the time to learn how he likes to be ridden and to improve his weaknesses."
A thinking rider, Tom says, "Kelsall Hill was also my first event on Shanonndale Varsity and that gave me a great feel of the course and where I could make up time. Although they are quite different horses it allowed me to think about how I wanted to ride Joey
For example, at the corner combination coming back towards the second water, I felt Joey being more experienced and having a big open stride would make the combination on four strides and four strides which he did so I was able to keep moving to the first element more than I had on my first ride, who went on five strides
I knew I was in the lead going into cross country, so I wanted to make sure I didn't waste any time unnecessarily around the course."
Finn Healy had finished on his dressage score, giving Tom only 0.7 penalties in hand.
"Finn is one my best mates, so it was great to finish on a podium together and obviously I was very happy to have pipped him to victory this time around!" says Tom
Finn was still delighted with his second placing aboard Amy Hawley's Treamble - a nice follow up after this new partnership won the CIC-S 3* at Thoresby Park.
"She performed brilliantly in all three phases and I'm over the moon with her - and to finish just behind one of my best friends!"
Nicknamed 'Amble', the mare has a contrastingly big stride and Finn says, "That helped as the course rewarded forward and bold riding!"
The pair are next aiming for the Bicton U21 CCI-L3* at the end of May and Finn, who was part of Team GB at the European Championships last year says, "I would love to get back on the British team but we're taking it one step at a time and I'm very excited for what the future holds for us."
Finn Healy and Treamble, winners at Thoresby Park International
Ruby Thompson wins the CCI2*-S
The CCI-S 2* went to Ruby Thompson riding Smilla IV who, at just 16 has nine more years in the junior and young rider squads, but has her sights firmly set on making an equestrian career.
"I'm not bothered about my GCSEs", says Ruby, explaining, "As soon as my exams are over, I'm going to work as an apprentice on the family farm in Yorkshire and try and build my own business, training and competing for owners."
That said, she's not done too badly on the family horses and says, "I'm hoping to aim Smilla IV for Chatsworth and Belsay at 2* level before stepping up to Intermediate but in the meantime I've got my Welsh Cob and my sister's Welsh Cob at the Badminton Grassroots Championships next week."
The 'Good Luck Charm' is in the form of Ruby's 18 month-old niece, Peggy, who even had a sit on Smilla IV as they took the International winner back to the lorry park at Kelsall Hill.
Ruby says, "I'm sure it won't be long till she's out eventing her Welsh pony!"
However, the family does have something of a clash at Badminton and it's nothing to do with the Coronation.
Mum, Sarah, explains, "Ruby's sister, Poppy, is getting married on the Saturday of Badminton after the venue was double-booked and she was given that date."
But so eventing mad, the family are going to make it work - rushing back to Yorkshire to dress the marquee on the Friday night, and have plans to return to Badminton immediately after the wedding celebrations in order not to miss the cross-country action.
Sarah says, "I'm not panicking - yet!"
Kristina Hall-Jackson does the double in Advanced Intermediate
Dominating the star-studded AI section was Kristina Hall-Jackson who rode CMS Google into the lead with just 2.4 cross-country time penalties and picked up the runner-up spot with the aptly named Hawk Eye who was just 0.1 penalty adrift thanks to a faultless cross-country round.
Kristina says, "Pippa Funnell and I walked back from the show jumping and laughed as although we are both slow riders at one-day-events as we tend to save the horses for the long-format three-day-events, we both ended up getting close to the time."
Having completed Burghley last year, CMS Google is entered for Badminton and Kristina says, "You just want to wrap them in bubble-wrap for the final run so the plan wasn't to run her fast but the more I precious I was, the less smooth our round was going to be and, I ended up having a really lovely ride as the hills helped me bring our balance together."
Taking the handbrake off Hawk Eye was more of a considered decision than just going with her feel, as Kristina explains, "His owner, Helen Scott and I decided it was time to test the brakes as he's a really big horse and a galloping machine and you wouldn't want him to take control but he was so polite I had a lovely ride and I really feel he's also a five-star horse in the making."
A protegee of the Wesko Foundation, Kristina is mentored by Pippa Funnell and it was Pippa who suggested Hawk Eye fall into Kristina's calm and capable hands after his previous rider, Nicola Wilson, suffered her horrific injuries last year.
Kristina says, "It was really nice that they thought of me and Pippa's just the most amazing sportsperson and really helped my confidence - I had training with her earlier in the week and I'm sure that led to Hawk Eye's first sub 30 dressage score."
"Pippa is such an empathetic trainer and just telling me I have natural feel and to ride what I feel was a major complement and am sure - along with her attention to detail - that really helped me unlock better scores."
With Pippa being a childhood idol of Kristina's, Kristina admits, "I'd joke with my friends that we share the same birthdays and then at Kelsall Hill, we parked up from each other and she's so good at boosting morale - or giving a kick up the backside if needed - that we really bounce off each other."
It added to the atmosphere of the event that is a rider and owner's favourite.
Kristina says, "I know some might complain about the distances you have to walk between phases but the owners loved sitting at the tables, having a drink, and watching", adding, "The show jumping arena on a surface adds to the International feel and the way the course ran this year really helped set up the horses in a good rhythm straight away and the use of the hilly terrain was fantastic, adding technicality to the courses."
The two Open Intermediate sections were headed up by Bill Levett who completed his campaign on Sligo Candy Cane on a sweet 20.0 penalty score, while in the U21 section, Ibble Watson scored a one-two with Heathcliff III taking the top spoils ahead of Ibble's reining National U21 Champion, Aristoteles SZ.
Daughter of the legendary Erica Watson, Ibble says, "I'm just coming back from a broken collarbone so I want to thank the Smith-Maxwell family for helping me and taking care of me while I was broken and also the Coney family for helping me get back on a horse quicker through their cryotherapy at Honington Grange."
As for the event, she says, "I'd never actually been to Kelsall Hill before but it was a great event with a great atmosphere and a very educational track, it had a bit of everything in it."
Sean Henderson has a Jolly Jumper win
Andrew Heffernan took one of the two Intermediate sections with Sean Henderson and the wonderfully named, Jolly Jumper P taking the second.
Sean says, "I had seen him at events and always thought him a cool horse and one I'd like in my 'team', but I only picked up the ride last summer as his owner, Laura Landale, was struggling with time between University and horses."
After progressing him up to Intermediate and completing Osberton CCI-L2*, Jolly Jumper was given a holiday but Sean admits, "He definitely needed some fine turning but he came out this year at Lincoln with a much improved dressage score."
Although planning a quiet run at Kelsall due to his section being cancelled at Thoresby Park, a 28.2 penalty dressage score and clear show jumping put the pair in second, less than a penalty behind Harry Meade.
Sean says, "He ended up winning by seven penalties and justifies what a talent he is!"
Having recently been accepted on to the HorseScotland Performance Programme Sean, who is based 30 minutes from Glasgow says, "I'm hoping that will aid the training of myself - and the horses!"
In the Open Novice, Josh Haynes stormed to victory with Stornoway IV thanks to finishing closer to the optimum time than Ben Way at MSH Bonanza who finished on the same score of 29.8penalties.
Josh says, "I have ridden Stornoway IV (Harry) since he was a five-year-old as he came to us because he had got into some bad habits and been tricky for his previous owner."
"He is extremely sensitive and can be a bit of a worrier but he's the most kind and gentle horse I know and has become like an old friend - he even does all three phases in a plastic happy mouth snaffle", explains Josh.
Having had a 'rusty' start to the season - the pair picked up 20 penalites at Cirencester Park (1), Josh says, "I couldn't believe how good the ground was considering so many other events were cancelled before and even after Kelsall Hill and I thought the course really suited Harry so we can build from this run and kick on!"
Josh's other rides also fared well, Quick Quack dabbling into ninth behind Stornoway IV, Voights Anky Panky picking up a fourth in Intermediate Section C and Royale Hero finished in 12th in Novice Section J with Josh admitting, "He did a good test -if you were wearing earmuffs - but then he produced a super double clear giving a great feel for his first run of the season."
Another with four rides over the weekend, Ben Way was unlucky not to win one with MSH Bonanza finishing on the same score as Josh's Stornoway IV. However, he took a third and 20th in the CCI-S 2* and a 6th in the CCI-L 3*.
Ben says, "Three of my four were having their first runs of the season due to earlier events being cancelled and I was conscious that then had not had any prep runs but our fitness work at home must have done the job as they all finished well."
An Equestrian Property specialist, Ben is ably supported by his wife Sarah.
Ben says, "Working and eventing keeps me busy - especially with two young children but Sarah is now competing less and rides quite a lot of mine at home."
"Having someone of Sarah's calibre to ride my horses is great and she and my Mun my life and we're really lucky to have our team at home headed up by Charlotte Bonfield as fitting everything in is all about the team behind you."
As for Kelsall, Ben says, "I thought that it was an exceptionally good event. The Dressage and SJ arenas for the international classes where hugely impressive and great for exposing younger horses to arenas with lots if atmosphere and things to look at. I thought the XC course was also brilliant with great ground and a layout and design which allowed you bowl on and jump out of a good rhythm."
Ben Way, eventing rider, equestrian property specialist and Radio Badminton commentator
Oliver Townend and Hialisca de Takam headed up Novice section I wile Max Warberton hung on to his dressage lead in Novice section J, with Michael Jackson his nearest rival in second and third.
BE100 & BE90 Sections
The BE100 Open section went to Brook Howells and her 17-year-old Templebrook Boy.
Brook recalls, "I was looking for a young Irish gelding and unusually his Horse & Hound advert had his show name on which quite literally 'had my name on it'!"
Then just four years old, the Connemara x ISH has been with Brook for 13 years and she says, "He lives life with the enthusiasm of a little puppy - he's always willing and full of energy."
In their career they've competed at the BE100 Badminton Grassroots Championships and last year finished 9th in a Novice section at Chatsworth International Horse Trials.
Nowadays Brook admits, "Every run is a bonus, but we are entered for a Novice at Chatsworth again and last year I qualified for a Novice Masters Championship so I'm aiming for that at Catton, and then Somerford Park CCI-S 2*".
They'll need it to be third time lucky there as although Brook's friend, Nicki Waddup (nee Toomer) rode Templebrook Boy in the CIC-S 2* while Brook was pregnant, on Brook's attempts the first was rained off and the second saw her unseated at the third show jump!
Brook admits, "I've had great help from Richard Long as a regular trainer and really helps me to work through a complicated confidence issue that follows and accident 20years ago and will probably always be part of my riding."
A regular competitor at Kelsall, Brook says, "I really liked the new layout and use of the undulations even if that meant it wasn't always obvious where I was going because I couldn't see the next fence over the hill."
The spread-out distance from show jumping to cross-country meant Brook's parents took advantage of watching more show jumping rather than take a buggy taxi to the cross-country and that distance also meant Brook wasn't then tempted to visit the tradestands at the end of the day which may have been safer on her wallet to spoil her supporters but what the event sought after.
Brook says, "I'm studying for a Masters Degree in Human Factors at Loughborough University alongside working as an Improvement Advisor to the NHS and being a mum to an eight year-old daughter and five year-old son so I'm forever grateful to my husband Al and to my Mum and Dad."
Sophie Brooks, Camilla Hardie and Kylie Roddy each took a BE100 section title.
Camilla says, "I have had Kellythorpes Adonis G since he was three so we have done everything together and this was our last - and first - prep run before heading out to the Badminton Grassroots 100 where we finished 13th last year."
Benefitting from their long partnership and show jumping all winter to win in what Camilla described as 'hot company', Camilla says, "The ground was fabulous which is important to me as 'Bailey' is barefoot and the cross-country is also a relatively long course which was a great way to check on our fitness."
Of the two BE 90 sections, one fell to Florence Griffiths and the other, BE90 Section P went to Joanne Morland who at 61 has years of experience in eventing.
"I've seen lots of changes in the sport since I began in 1989", says Joanne, who competed in the Badminton Grassroots Championships and at Blair Castle three-day-event last year.
She continues to surprise herself and Kelsall Hill was no exception.
She says, "I had a 10 for my final centre line on Kilcandra JT which was a first for me and am absolutely made up with his win."
Semi-retired in Liverpool taking care of her horses and two Labradors, amateur rider Joanne is also aware of the rollercoaster ride eventing brings with two dressage errors on her second ride, Wil Celtic Ivory Tower who nonetheless picked up a sixth rosette.
Joanne says, "I temporarily forgot the end of the test so I did an extra canter circle until the judge beeped me but really I'm so grateful to my trainers - Helen Shone, Lindsay Middleton and Susie Gibson - to my partner Ken, and to eventing - it is the best sport in the world!"
Article by Anna Bruce
