Showjumping made a very welcome return to the hallowed turf of Hickstead last week (2-6 September) for the Science Supplements All England Jumping Championships and we enjoyed seeing some of the country’s top talent in action once again.
But some of our favourite classes of the year take place down on the showground’s River Lawn where the sport’s future champions, all aged 10 and under, tackle the coloured fences in the Total Waste Management mini challenge.
Many of the surnames will be familiar — Breen, Williams, Pinchen and Whitaker — and the next generation always impress on some of the cutest ponies, from the Thelwell-esque to mini Frankels.
The weekend’s winners included Nero and Gracie Dwyer in the 60cm, Rose and Amy Baker in the 30cm, Shannon and Olivia Newington over the 20cm cross-poles, with Mya Clarke claiming victory on Alice In Wonderland in the lead-rein jumping, and they all earned a treasured Hickstead rosette to start their collection. Congratulations all, and here are just some of our favourite moments, captured by Spidge Event Photography.
1. Just quacking around: Ollie Breen, son of Trevor and Caroline Breen and younger brother to Mia, who was also in action over the bigger fences in the mini challenge, makes a big impression at his first show.
Olly Breen Mini challenge
(Image credit: Spidge Photography)
2. Annabel Widdowson and her own pint-sized version of the family’s famous Big Star clear the obstacles in fine style.
Annabel Widdowson
(Image credit: SUSE MARTIN TURNER)
3. Maisie Simmons is ready for action — and we absolutely love her heart-shaped buttons, very smart indeed!
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(Image credit: SUSE MARTIN TURNER)
4. Mum Yazmin Pinchen had a busy few days competing in the International Arena, but a young and very dapper Harry Pinchen-McCulloch also took his turn in the spotlight in the mini challenge.
Harry Pinchen-McCulloch Mini challenge
(Image credit: Spidge Photography)
Don’t miss the full report from the Science Supplements All England Jumping Championships at Hickstead in this week’s issue of Horse & Hound (out Thursday 10 September).
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Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.
