Connemaras come to the fore with a host of wins across the classes, and a championship regular continues to dominate
RIDING CLUB
BRC NAF FIVE STAR COMBINED CHAMPIONSHIPS 20–21 May
Edited by Martha Terry martha.terry@futurenet.com
@marthaowenorterry
British Riding Clubs (BRC) NAF Five Star Combined Championships, Aston-le-Walls, Northants
PRACTICE made perfect for Maria Ayiotis and Silver Gal when they won the senior challenge 80 – the largest class at the BRC NAF Five Star Combined Championships, boasting a total of more than 80 competitors.
“She’s a double-clear machine but we’re often guilty of going too fast so we have been practising our pace around a field at home,” said Maria, who stopped the clock just two seconds away from the optimum time.
Maria, a BHS coach and Fawkham RC member, has been riding the 18-year-old Connemara for 13 years.
“I bought her from a riding school when she was five and we’ve been together ever since,” she said. “She’s a ball of energy who loves jumping and wants to win.”
Another Connemara in the money was nine-year-old Keredern Hazy Match Fionn, who triumphed in the junior challenge 90 under Orla McDonnell. The Wey Valley RC duo finished just over two seconds away from the optimum time at their first BRC Championships.
“He’s a superstar and I don’t want to grow out of him,” said the 14-year-old, who lives near Farnham.
“The course was tricky but he’s careful so the technicality of the showjumping suited him, although I didn’t think he would be fast enough.”
Solihull RC occupied top spot in the team event for the second straight year. Sophie Maundrell and the 19-yearold Connemara Mary Jane Of Pickets Pride, Daisy-Mae Baker with the 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse Lady Isobel, Megan Baker and Clohamon Grey, a 14-year-old Connemara, and Luella Hunt aboard the sevenyear-old Connemara Whitehills Silver Willow made up the team, which posted a winning margin of 13 penalties.
First place in the challenge 100 went to High Wycombe RC’s Harriet Coupland and Cillbhrid Mermaid who were the only pair to complete the competition on a score of zero. The pair are no strangers to success at BRC events having won the individual 100 showjumping title at the Intermediate Winter Championships just a few months earlier.
“I’m speechless; she’s really stepped it up this year and I’m so proud of her,” said Harriet of the 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse/warmblood mare whom Harriet has produced from a four-year-old.
Worcester RC recorded a resounding victory in the team event. Impressive performances from Lucy
