Scope BSJA festival of show jumping

Matthew Sampson produced a typically determined round in Bingley Hall to win the Horse & Hound Foxhunter Masters riding Chianti Classico.

Already qualified for the prestigious championship at Horse of the Year Show, Matthew dared Duncan Inglis’s agile horse all the way to beat Paul Barker and Ivan Dalton riding Amira II and Lucky De Blondel.

“It was a hot jump off, with some good horses to come, so we had to be fast” said Matthew, who is based with Duncan.

With the top three horses already qualified, the four tickets on offer to Birmingham passed down to Baloubet Nice and Easy (John Renwick), Sonora (Stuart Neads), Angel III (Graham Lovegrove) and Anna Edwards (Unique IX).

The first junior title went to European pony team gold medallist James Smith who produced a flying round from Irish Lethal Weapon to win the Equitrader Junior 1.15M members cup championship. “There were plenty of twists and turns, but he tried all the way” said James.

Another Scottish rider headed the Blue Chip Feed Balancer junior masters, Greg Taylor setting a fast pace with Above and Beyond. “This is our first season at this level, so to win was fantastic” said Kenny, 16.

With several top placed ponies qualified for HOYS, the four tickets to Birmingham went to Nolan (Chantelle Golledge), Orchids Kurran (Megan James), Razorlite II (P Allen) and Crooky Blue (Ryan Haynes).

After competing at the Pony Club Championships at Shelford Manor for the Flamstead Branch just a few days before, Herts rider James Clark and his Irish bred Knocknacarry won the George Babes Young Riders B&C championship in great style. “We just had to keep going forward,” said James.

The final Whittaker Coachbuilders senior riders championship was won at the gallop by last drawn Richard Barton riding Insatiable. Defending champion Bina Ford pocketed an extra £50 by clinching the Woodford Best Turned Out award riding second placed Amoray.

www.scopebsjafestival.co.uk

Read Horse & Hound’s full report from Scope in 6 September magazine

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