SHOWJUMPING
HIGHLIGHTS 20–26 May
The Cheshire Horse Show, Tabley Park
IT was a show to remember for the Edwards brothers, who won each of the three classes they contested between them – with Will claiming his first area trial victory, while Carmen secured a one-two in the British Horse Feeds Speedi-Beet HOYS grade C qualifier.
While just 11 came forward for the area trial, it wasn’t an easy win for Will and the 14-year-old mare, Candies B. Although the pair were one of just three combinations to jump clear round Nigel Hibbert and Susan Barratt’s firstround track, all are esteemed partnerships against the clock. Candies B, who is known to thrive in a grass ring, was joined in the jump-off by the prolifically successful Paul Barker and Green Grass, as well as Will’s brother Carmen with his 2022
Bolesworth CSI2* grand prix victor, Happy Valerie (Val). “Paul jumped first and found it was quite testing ground – it had rained a lot but the course-builders did build appropriately,” Will said. “I did one inside turn where he went round and one less stride to the double and managed to nip in front. If it was drier, it might have been a bit faster, but people rode to the conditions.” Candies B comes from Will’s grandfather’s breeding lines and had an embryo taken from her this year. She will be aimed for her favourite venue, Hickstead, where Will hopes she might get a wild card for the five-star again.
A HAPPY COMEBACK
THE area trial was also a welcome return to 1.50m competition for Carmen’s mare Val, co-owned with Maddie and Ian Kellett, who jumped clear just 0.53sec behind Will for third.
“I think the last time those two mares competed against each other was at the Cock o’the North when we were third and fourth,” said Carmen, who was taking it slightly easy with the 12-year-old, who won a big tour CSI2* class at Peelbergen last September, but then had a break after picking up a slight injury.
Carmen added that durin
