BE crowns grassroots champions

British Eventing added two new names to the 2006 British Eventing Championship Role of Honour at the debut Quatro Grassroots Eventing Festival in Northamptonshire last weekend. Local rider Sophia Icke, 18 took the Quatro Pre-novice Championship and Elaine Norris, from Essex, claimed the Baileys Horse Feeds British Intro Championship.

The Quatro Grassroots Festival is a new feature in the British Eventing calendar, providing a focus for less experienced riders, or those with a career or commitments outside equestrianism. A total of 11,000 intro and 23,000 pre novice starters competed in the series but after a tough qualification procedure and regional finals, only 100 riders made it through to this weekend’s final.

Intro champion Elaine Norris and her horse Topstar R achieved six top 10 placings this season – their first together. “I have a superstar horse who means everything to me – he’s certainly one in a million” said Elaine. The pair won £1500 worth of prizes, including free food for a year for Topstar R.

Sophia Icke was thrilled to win the Quatro Pre Novice Championships in her debut eventing season. “I’m just shell-shocked!” she said afterwards. “I never dreamt I could win the Championship!” Sophia found her horse 17-year-old Killimor Gannon through an advert in Horse & Hound. Sponsors Quatro presented her £2000 worth of vouchers, £300 training and a saddle for Killimor Gannon. The pair will now turn their attentions to the Pony Club Championships at Sansaw next week where they will be representing the Grafton Pony Club.

“We’re delighted with the way the weekend went,” said BE’s Marketing and Sponsorship Manager Kirsty Grant. “Every competitor went away with a memento of the occasion and all who completed received a rosette.”

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