Finn Valley Riding Club 

Winter SJ Qualifier

 

On Sunday 14th February we held the Area Winter SJ at Topthorn. We had 30 teams entered so it was going to be a busy day! The first class was an 80cm open which was hard fought but won by Lara Malinson and Pocket Rocket from Deben with Lily Hill and Barney coming second.

 

First up for the teams was the Junior Novice. We had seven teams entered and so tough competition.  Run over two rounds after round one we had one team on 4f and two on 8f. So it was down to the second round. Some more clear rounds in the second round meant that the scores were close. Eventual winners were Carleton with 4f and in 2nd place was Beccles and Bungay on 8f.

 

Next was the turn of the senior Novice teams. There were eleven teams in this class again over two rounds.  After round one we had only Finn Valley on a zero score and Deben close behind on 4f. Finn Valley were last to go in the second round and secured the win with three clear rounds. Deben finishing second on just 4f.

 

We then started on the bigger classes with the warm up for the Intermediates over a 90cm track. This class was won by Megan Hammond and Madge’s Lane Drew from Finn Valley with a very fast clear closely followed by Alice Able and Seafield Park Peddlar from Beccles and Bungay.

 

Moving onto the Junior Intermediate teams we have just 5 entered. Beccles and Bungay and Brampton were on form from the start finishing the first round on a zero score. Finn Valley were close behind on just 4f with both their teams. With the addition of the water tray in round two this was going to be a crucial round. Beccles and Bungay remained focused and finished on four clear rounds. Brampton had a couple of poles and finished equal with Finn Valley’s two teams on 8f. Placings were later decided on times in the second round with Brampton picking up 2nd spot.

 

Last up and getting late in the day but still time to fight out the last competition of the Senior Intermediate and a place at the Championships up for grabs. We had six teams entered and both Carleton and new club Brampton finished the first round on a zero score. Finn Valley were close behind on just 1TP and High Fen on 2TP.  Once the fences went up some poles started to fall and the pressure was on the last team Brampton as Carleton had already secured the double clears. With the first rider of Brampton retiring it was down to the last three to jump clear, which they did. So the final result was going to be decided on a jump off. Carleton opted to go fast and rolled a pole finishing on 4f and Brampton went for steady clears only to just tip the last part of the double with their last horse. Very unlucky for Brampton in their first Area 14 event to just miss out but it was an exciting end to a great day of Show jumping. Well done to all the qualifying teams. Thanks to all our helpers which we couldn’t have done without!