More than 700 competitors descended on Bishop Burton College for its biannual horse trials this weekend.

 

The College has recently been approved as an Olympic Training Base for equestrian teams visiting the UK for the 2012 Olympics and the College’s state-of-the-art indoor arena is due to open later this summer.

 

While experienced eventers such as Brook Staples and Caroline Powell made an appearance, it was the younger riders who enjoyed most success.

 

Winner of the Eric Bradley Construction Open Intermediate Section was Craig Anderson on Alnwick.

 

He took the rosette riding Timmy Tiptoes II with a score of 43.4. He has benefited from a good season so far with wins at Floors Castle and Central Scotland, and thoroughly enjoyed his run at Bishop Burton.

 

He said: “I’ve had a very good season so far and found the course here really enjoyable. Everything’s gone really well and I’m delighted with the win.”

 

Craig was also awarded the Eric Bradley Construction Ltd Cup as the highest scoring Intermediate rider at the event.

 

Nerissa Brady of Buxton took the Eric Bradley Construction Ltd Intermediate Section E riding 18.0h gelding Fox Lane Pepper. The pair romped home with a score of 52.4.

 

Despite having a quiet season so far this year, the pair have also taken a third-place rosette at Lincolnshire.

 

Nerissa found the course quite challenging. “The cross country course was quite twisty, but it was very good,” she said. “We haven’t had much rain so the ground was a little bit hard, but it didn’t bother him and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.”

 

A number of other young riders also enjoyed success at the trials. Sian Kirwin (14) of New Waltham in North East Lincolnshire took first place in Intro Section K on The Belton Boy with a penalty of 30.0. She also took a first in the Intro section at Richmond on the 10^th of May.

 

This is her first affiliated season.

 

She said: “The course is really nice. I thought it might be a bit hard as there hasn’t been much rain, but we found the going very good. The College is very smart and we’ll definitely come back. This is my first season and we’ve really started it on a high.”

 

Sixteen-year-old Lauren Bentley of Harrogate took the first-place rosette in Intro Section I riding gelding Tarragon, who’s also 16. She won the section with a score of 26.3.

 

She also praised the cross country course and vowed to visit the College again to repeat her success.

 

Winner of the Bailey’s Horse Feeds Intro Regional Final was Ian Robert Bennett of Ranskill in Nottinghamshire, with a score of 24.7 on Little Horse.

 

Equine unit director Kim Knightley is charged with running the events along with a team of 120 staff and students who make sure the whole operation runs smoothly.

 

She said: “The trials have taken on a slightly different appearance and feel this year – particularly after the Olympic decision. Ongoing course improvements and the developments that are happening on campus also mean we have been able to utilise areas that were previously unavailable.

 

“The brand new Beverley Yard was used for stabling and we relocated the dressage arenas which seemed to agree with the competitors and it’s great to see so many young riders do well.

 

“Fence improvements have also meant entrants have benefited from a refreshed course, which went down well, and of course, everyone has been asking about the new arena.

 

“The next trials take place on the 18^th and 19^th of October and the new arena will be open for business, plus the course will have a brand new water complex which will give competitors something to think about.”

 

If you would like to find out more about the October trials or the new arena please contact the College’s equestrian centre on 01964 553087.

 

 

Eric Bradley Construction Ltd Intermediate section E: Nerissa Brady on Fox Lane Pepper; Eric Bradley Construction Ltd Open Intermediate Section D: Craig Anderson on Timmy Tiptoes II.

 

Houlton & Sons Ltd Novice Section F: Carrie Byrom on Barley Mill; Humberside Blocks Novice Section G: Andrew Downes on Two Mills Regent;

 

Pre-Novice Section A: Emma Chipchase on Michael Finnigan; Pre-Novice B: Sandra Auffarth on L’Amie; Dodson & Horrell Pre-Novice Section C: Julie Lawson on Tullibards Romeo; Pre-Novice N: Lucy Bullas on Master Jack III; David Turner & Co Open Pre-Novice Section O: Charlotte Whittle on Who’s Class.

 

Intro Section H: Katie Watson on Gibside Lord Percy; Intro I: Lauren Bentley on Tarragon; Intro J: Katy Hurst on Bridmore Buzz; Intro K: Sian Kirwin on The Belton Boy; Intro Section L: Victoria Whiteley on Harvey Nix III;

 

Bailey’s Horse Feeds Intro Regional Final Section M: Ian Robert Bennett on Little Horse

 

 

 

Media enquiries: Please contact Rachel Briggs in the Bishop Burton College press office on 01964 553030 / 07725 423112 or email press.office@bishopburton.ac.uk

 
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