Young riders from across the country descended on Cricklands recently (8 – 10 April) for the Junior Winter League Finals (show jumping); each competitor took part in two heats, scoring points for a place, up to tenth, or a clear round. Points in the deciding heat held greater value.

Two of the juniors were invincible, each winning both of their heats; the first of these was Harry Foulds Brant from Bredhurst in Kent who rode Shakira to a maximum score of 255 for a Gold Medal in the 2’3” Pony Open. Mirroring Harry’s success was Cleo Loizzo (Thurcaston, Leicestershire) who took the Gold Medal and title of 3’3” Pony/Horse Open on board Pippin. Cleo also took third place in this final with Banner Girl.

Daisy Smith from Billingshurst, West Sussex, saw off the competition in the 12 and Under 2’6” Pony Final. Riding My Little Gem, Daisy was first in the opening heat and second in the decider for a score of 240, some 85 points clear of the field.

Buster, ridden by Fiona Hardman from Pickering, North Yorkshire, finished second in the first heat of the 2’3” Pony Final before clinching the title by winning the decider to finish on 245 points (65 points clear).

Millie Guy (Newent, Gloucestershire) had a 45 point margin in the 2’6” Pony Final when gaining a first and second place respectively in the heats on board It’s Chico Time.

Other finals produced some very close finishes; in the 2’6” Pony Open Leah Hayden from near Christchurch in Hampshire, scraped home by just five points when riding Knavesash Florin to victory in the 2’6” Pony Open having accumulated a total of 195 points with fourth and third places. Another rider to win with a five point margin was Rachel Vicary (Crediton, Devon) in the 3’0” Pony/Horse Open after Spirits Way finished third and first.

Ten point margins were enjoyed by Sophie Preston (Charlwood, Surrey) in the 2’9” Horse Open on Donavaragh Lilly, scoring 190 points after taking sixth and second places, and Keira Shafiq (Nuneaton, Leicestershire) who took the 11 and Under 2’3” Pony Final riding Runaway Bay for a sixth place and a win.

Three riders gained their titles and Gold Medals with 25 point margins; they were Lydia Massey from Clehonger, Herefordshire, who rode Flyte of Fancy to victory in the 10 and Under 2’0” Pony Final having taken two second places, Jody Salton (Easingwood, York) on board Murphy’s Law who claimed the 2’6” Horse Final with a fourth place and a win and Ellese Ankers (Hawkchurch, Axminster). Ellese took the 2’9” Pony Open on Jessica Rabbit after a second place in the opener and a fifth place in the decider

Full results can be found on www.cricklands.com