Bill, Lauren and Ginny will now join leading British and foreign eventers at the British Open Show Jumping Championships at Birmingham’s NEC (3rd – 6th April) after securing their place at the Addington Equestrian Centre qualifier on Friday 15th February.
The evening began with a fascinating insight into eventing by Pippa Funnell MBE before the exciting competition got underway. Over 40 eventers tackled the tricky course of fences comprising show jumps and cross country fences.
This fantastic evening had the crowd on the edge of their seats, cheering and poised in anticipation as riders took on the challenge. Fences were knocked down, fences were refused, and one confused rider laughed and scratched his head as he puzzled over which was his next jump! It was certainly a night to remember at Addington!
An exciting final round by the 2006 British Open Indoor Cross Country Champion, Mark Kyle riding Drunken Disorderly, was quick but not quite fast enough to beat Bill, Lauren and Ginny. All three riders will now join leading eventers in the Final on Friday 4th April and will be looking to take part in the new Power and Speed competition during Saturday’s Daytime performance (5th April) at the British Open Show Jumping Championships.
The Indoor Cross Country Final at the British Open Show Jumping Championships will be a competition not to miss. For Friday’s Championship, Britain’s top equestrian course designer, Bob Ellis, and Eventing guru Mike Tucker will create the course of approximately 18 show jumps/ cross country fences – some of which will be jumped in both directions. The show jumps will be set at near maximum height allowed in eventing and will form the first phase of the course. The riders will be against the clock requiring them to ride with skill, speed and courage. Two seconds will be added for every show jump knocked down meaning any fences down will require the riders to up their pace over the cross country fences.
On Saturday, something a little different will be on offer. A Power and Speed Indoor Cross Country competition will pair top show jumpers and eventers to work together against the clock to complete the fastest clear over cross country fences and show jumps. In teams of two, the eventers and show jumpers will tackle a series of jumps in their designated section of the course. The event is tipped to be a crowd favourite as each team battles for the title in this unique class.
The unique British Open Indoor Cross Country competition event was launched to great acclaim at the 2006 British Open Show Jumping Championships and has continued each year to give visitors the only opportunity in the UK to witness top-level indoor cross country alongside world-class show jumping and thrilling equestrian entertainment.