BELLS, tinsel, smiling Father Christmases and one angelic angel got the special Christmas showjumping – an additional day to the regular monthly sessions – off to a really jolly start on Thursday at GGH Equitation Centre.
The winner was Eleanor Robinson on Roo, who even had bells sewn into her pony’s mane!
The Judge Janet McGowan and her writer Jodie Andrews had an entertaining morning with two classes not usually seen at GGH. In the Gangnam Style, Power and Speed class they jumped six fences then, after a one-minute rest, went straight on to a timed jump off course. This was followed by a ‘pick your own line’ class, with the higher jumps gaining the most points. Danni Callin on Heathcliff won it with a massive total in a very flowing round. Abbi Turner-Drewry on her lovely young pony came second, having won the Style and Power Class.
The younger riders rode some very competitive rounds with close times dividing them, but no competitor won more than one class except Connie McKee who won both Tadpole classes on her pony, Daffodil, and Karie Bridson on Midnight Mystery, her new pony.
The next of the regular monthly series is on Sunday, January 6 sponsored as usual by Mylchreests and Malcolm Jones Ltd
Results, Santa’s Elf Stakes - Tadpoles A 1, Connie McKee (Daffodil); 2, Maisie Megson (Roo). Tadpoles B 1, Connie McKee (Daffodil); 2, Sophie Hawley (Dee); 3, Eleanor Robinson (Roo). Christmas Cracker Stakes 1, Abby Jackson (Calypso); 2, Zelda Newey (Irish Mist); 3, Daisy Loader (Tyler). Rudolph’s Rampage 1, Jessica Loader (Oaklands Mystery); 2, Immy Millward (Allanagh Eriska); 3, Abby Jackson (Calpso). Xmas Tree Stakes 1, Karie Bridson (Midnight Mystery); 2, Jessica Loader (Oaklands Mystery); 3, Abbi Turner-Drewry (Aclare Cracker). Gangnam Style, Power and Speed 1, Abbi Turner-Drewry (Aclare Cracker); 2, Danni Callin (Heathcliff); 3, Karie Bridson (Midnight Mystery). Santa’s Dash 1, Danni Callin (Heathcliff); 2, Abbi Turner-Drewry (Aclare Cracker). Top of the Christmas Tree 1, Karie Bridson (Midnight Mystery); 2, Danni Callin (Heathcliff).