BSJA Area 36 Juniors and Young Riders

Although the junior membership is falling and becoming increasingly more difficult to keep junior classes at the local shows, the junior and young rider members that we do have in the area are doing extremely well.

Moorsele Nations Cup

In scorching hot conditions Carian arrived in Moorsele, Belgium on Friday 9th May ready for the trot-up and measuring that afternoon - all went well and preparations were made for the first class on Saturday.

Saturday saw a speed class for the 148 Pony class where 'Cappa' lowered one fence.  Day two saw the Grand Prix where the course was set asking many questions and resulting in no clears in the first round out of 66 starters.  Carian and 'Cappa' were one of ten who had 4 faults in the first round going on to a jump off, they were the fastest 4 faults in the first round, unfortunately 'Cappa; decided to buck on a tight line to the second fence in the jump off putting them totally off line to the fence and even though 'Cappa' cleared the fence Carian's leg took the wing with them !!

Their performance over the first two days was however enough to get on the team for day 3. Ten countries were competing over a track of 13 fences - Carian and 'Cappa' had a fence down in the first round when a tricky distance of a long five or a waiting six became a five and a half stride !!! With 4 faults brought through from the first round, and Jessie Drae having one of the four sets of planks around the course in the second round it was left to Carian and George Whitaker to both do clear rounds leaving Emma Stoker not needing to jump her final round.

European Trials

The first of the European Trials was held at the Wales & West Showground.  Carian went with two horses and two ponies competing in both 'Big Tour' and 'Small Tour' under 18's and the warm up classes for the ponies and 'Cappa' in the trials. Carian competed 'Quidam' in the big tour under 18's trials and although some may say had a disappointing show with him having had 4 fences on day one and similar faults on the last days Grand Prix, we were very pleased on the Nations Cup style event on day 2 they were one of 14 clears in the first round and having two fences in the second round - he is by no means the easiest of rides but a fantastic path finder.

Her new horse 'Larino' having only had him 10 days before the show it was felt that the big tour classes was a bit soon leaving them to get to know each other in the small tour.  Larino didn't touch a pole all weekend and having been placed on both days finished the weekend on a 3rd place in the Grand Prix on the last day.

Homeflight, having just come back to jumping after a months rest competed in the trails warm up classes where she gained  a second place on day 2.

Cappa having warmed up on day one with an 8th in the warm up class, had a pole down in the Trial on day one.  Day two saw him take a 3rd in the speed class with a double clear. Day three, Grand Prix day, where the fences go up a bit more, saw Carian and 'Cappa' through the first round on clear, one of a hand full of ponies, with a fantastic last draw they went in with Pippa Allen having set a blistering round in the lead.  Having gone round clear they pipped Pippa to the post with 0.12 seconds to the gain and won the first European Trial Grand Prix of the year.

Blue Chip Championships

Meg Norris competed at the Blue Chip Winter Championships with three ponies and finished 14th in the Sapphire Championship with her youngster Miss Print. Mini Marianne jumped well in the Sparkle JA with a couple of mistakes (Still having some disagreements about who is in charge!) and had an unlucky 4 faults in the speed class. Miss Dunwoody jumped very well and had two placings in the JC Speed classes, this pony is with Meg until she is sold, if anyone is interested in this very genuine pony please contact either Jane 01239 851713 or Gina 01545 590586.

Pony of the Year Show

Five members from the area took part at this years Pony of the Year Show. Carian Scudamore, Bethan & Rhiana Evans, Gwenllian & Ceinwen Lewis. All five jumped well and gained a lot of experience. Carian with Home Flight came 3rd in the Talent Spotters and 4th in the 148 Grand Prix with Cappagh Supreme. Ceinwen with Sligo Lucky had 3 equal 1st and received loads of gifts in the 11 & under class. Well Done all of you!

Le Touquet

Well Done to Amber Bundock and Carian Scudamore in Le Touquet, in the Big tour under 18s Amber finished 6th and 13th with Beauty van het Geinsteinde and in the Small tour under 18s she finished 13th and 15th with Awesome spark.

Carian and Cappagh Supreme had a good show with a second on the opening day in the Pony big tour with a double clear and being chosen for the British team A. The second day the British team A won Gold and the British team B won Bronze. Day three saw the Grand Prix where Carian and 'Cappa' gained a second overall, once again with a double clear. Carian jumped Quidam in the Big tour under 18s. This was very much a learning class to discover what the pair were capable of, they improved as the week went on and were very pleased with their overal performance.

Ceri Evans, 16, has fantastic start to her racing career! She has won both of the ladies races at her first two point to points on her own mare that she trains herself, with the help of her mum! Good luck for the rest of the season!

Emily Graepel and Lemon Popsicle where selected for the Mini Major relay at Olympia , they were paired with Mark Armstrong on his very good speed horse, Rex. They were drawn last to go and all looked good, that was until Marks horse decided to turn in the air a little too soon and took the wing with him! He then had the next fence down as well, although Emily put in a fantastic effort with Lemon taking all the short turns and going hell for leather they where only able to work their way back up to 6 th place, they would have been 2nd without the two down, but that's show jumping for you! She still managed to get Lemons Bum in the Olympia write up in Horse and Hound (sporting a Welsh Dragon!)

Carian Scudamore has also had a great winter season so far, as well as giving a courageous performance on Steve Wanstall's World Cup horse, Quidam at the Hartpury Pre Olympia Show, finishing 6th in the Puissance, clearing the 1.92 wall, she was also selected to compete at Olympia in the 148cm class. She has also qualified for the Royal Show on her 148cm Cappa Supreme. She has also qualified Home Flight for POYS and qualified for the Scope Members Cup at the qualifier held at the March Moor Farm Show.

Ceinwen Lewis won the Hand under 11 grand prix winning a new Pessoa saddle on Sligo lucky.

Meg Norris has qualified Mini Marianne for Blue Chip Sparkle JC/JA handicap and she also qualified for the Scope Members Cup at the qualifier held at the March Moor Farm Show. She has also qualified Miss Print for the Sapphire and Corel Championships at Blue Chip.

Lizzy Moore also qualified Clarenville for the Scope Members Cup at the qualifier held at the March Moor Farm Show.

As a Young Rider, Heledd Thomas has qualified for the Blue Chip B&C Championships, she also won leading rider at the Rodbaston Show in Febuary. Heledd has qualified under 23, for the British Open, well done Heledd!

If we have missed anyone else who has achieved something noteworthy, please email us and let us know, we would be delighted to recieve more news and photographs!