Stars shine at BSPS Summer

Sion St Daniel reigns supreme as the cream of the crop gather for the BSPS Summer Championships

Sion St Daniel, the seven-year-old 143cm Classic, All-British, open and supreme SHP champion was called forward by Arthur Illsley from 13 individual champions to occupy the top spot at this year’s BSPS Summer Championship show.

“The winner was a pony with quality and substance, who went beautifully,” said Arthur Illsley. “If he were reduced or enlarged to any height he would still be correct. That is the hallmark of a really good animal.”

Reserve went to show pony champion Rowanoaks Sorcerer, who also took the Packard Bell Supreme. This was a remarkable achievement as the 10-year-old was gelded only last autumn, and this was his second show under saddle.

Samantha Manning and Fair Julian, won the all-British 133cm SHP final, the champion of champions 133cm SHP title and the section title. In the Packard Bell Challenge, Fiona Aston and her WHP champion, Beau Baron, jumped the only clear to win. Izzy Dixon and Cefn Charmer headed the Packard Bell Mini Championship and Izzy’s brother, Scott and Stockham Stonechat headed his Underwood Desert Orchid WHP section.

Scottish-based producer Kris McCall, took the Packard Bell SHP section with Chinook Rocket Man, and the John Peel Blue Riband final with Double Dutch. The Blue Riband Mini Championship, went to the previous night’s champion of champions mini show pony, Meadowlands Best Man.

The Desert Orchid competition featuring John Hall’s courses were testing and there were few clears. Lily Gredley and Boycott Tonic were called to take the supreme award and brother Tim took the reserve Desert Orchid Intermediate award on Pebbly Tuff Stuff.

In the “One Man” Working Hunter qualifiers, there were only six clears in total, but all agreed the fences were a fair test and a pleasure to jump. Caroline Thornton took the title and a HOYS ticket with her heavyweight, Isaac, ahead of the lightweight winner, Louise Bell’s Out Of Sight.

Thomas Janion and Peeping Tom claimed the all-British intermediate, open and supreme WHP titles. The five-year-old novice champion Shining Light was called forward to take reserve supreme WHP. Amy Underwood collected the Ronnie Marmont Supreme Intermediate award with Guy Fawkes.

Lucinda Finlay and 14-year-old Colbeach Martina won the Legend Blue Riband Championship with Colne Heiress taking the mini supreme. Julie Cook took the young SHP title with the four-year-old, Duntarvie Catcher, and Stambrook Pivotal was novice SHP champion and reserve supreme.

Sarah Shirley was reunited with the lovely dun, Deaconwood Gold Print, to win the part-bred Arab title. The newly-introduced associate classes, for riders over 21, proved populalar with the overall title going to Sally Hobbs and Dickie Boggledyke.

Nuthurst Whodunnit, took the supreme SP/SHP title having earlier won the open show pony championship. Glenallan Harmony, and Amy Samantha Andrews won the Pretty Polly SHP division and Charlie Letham, won the WHP supreme champion of champions title with Mytilene. Amy James claimed the rider of the year award with her six-year-old WHP Abberley Anqelique.

Click here to read full results.

For full report see Horse & Hound issue dated 13 Sepember or click here to subscribe online at a reduced rate.