Shane BREEN during the Invitational Knockout International Competition Class 37, during Bolesworth CSI **** held in the grounds of Bolesworth Castle near Chester in Cheshire in UK on 18 th June 2016
Riders competing at British Showjumping’s inaugural Spring Championship Show at Addington Manor (14-16 April) will now have the chance to qualify for the winter finals during classes held on the first two days of the show.
“Disappointingly low” entries have lead to a relaxation of the qualifying process of the inaugural winter finals with direct qualifiers being added to the schedule and riders being allowed to compete two horses in most of the finals.
Tim Price, proprietor of Addington Manor, explains: “As everyone will be aware, we stepped in to host the championships following a short notice cancellation of the London Spring International Horse Show at the ExCel Arena.
“We always knew that it would be a tough show to pull together at very short notice, but we felt that it was the right thing to do for British Showjumping and their members. This is still a decision we strongly stand by and are strongly committed to.
“However, with entries being disappointingly low, we feel there is no option but to open up the qualifiers and allow competitors to compete up to two horses in the majority of the finals. This will ensure the championships go ahead, and also create a championship environment for riders to compete in.”
Iain Graham, Chief Executive for British Showjumping, added: “We understand that this may be a disappointment for those that have already qualified, but we trust that they will see that the changes are necessary if the finals are to go ahead.
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“Addington Manor has been extremely proactive in delivering what we believe will be an superb championship show to build on and we look forward to the winter finals and the spring championships becoming an established event in the competition calendar going forward.
“By opening up the qualifiers it will enable more members to qualify for the final at the show, in addition to via the leagues, which will ensure fairness across all levels.
“We sincerely hope that all eligible members support Addington’s commitment to the championships and the tremendous work they have done to get it to this point.”
In addition to the qualifiers and finals, the show will also include supplementary open warm-up classes across all levels of competition.
The winter finals had been left without a venue when Excel pulled the plug on the London Spring International Horse Show. Addington Manor stepped in less than a week later to ensure that the event would take place.
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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.
