The UK Riders Challenge National Finals 2009 UK Riders National Finals were held at Arena UK. For more details on the Challenge and how to qualify for 2010, click here

Carol and Robyn from Arena UK and Granville from UK Riders would like to thank all the competitors at the National Finals on 15th August. They would also like to thanks all the stewards writers and many other helpers who made the weekend such a great sucess. We are very grateful to our sponsors TopSpec and Global Herbs for all their help. We look forward to welcoming you back to Arena UK in 2010 for next years National Final. Pictures from the day can be viewed at www.larkinphotography.com. >> For quotes from members who competed at the 2009 Finals - Click Here For full report on the Finals, see below the prizegiving pictures.... Results: Showjumping classes click HERE Dressage classes click HERE
Prizegivings: Senior Intro Champion, Pasake and Lauren Rothwell Junior Intro Champion, Jackson Was with Lindsey Turner Junior Prelim Champion, Foxglen Domino with Mark Davison. This combination also won the Ponton Chasers Rug for the highest % junior rider Senior Prelim Champion, Emma Howell on Velidin. This combination also won the Ponton Chasers Rug for the highest % senior rider with 78.75% Joint Novice Senior Champion, Michelle Bacon on Keokate Joint Novice Senior Champion, Nuez with Michelle Davison
THE TOPSPEC UK RIDERS NATIONAL FINALS 2009 Saturday August 15th 2009, a long awaited date by those members who had succeeded in reaching the National Finals, was a fine sunny summers day with a blustery wind making the temperature perfect for the competitors. Arena UK provided more good news with the stunning facilities that are available. So it is not surprising that there were so many smiling faces throughout the day and many complimentary remarks, typically – In the last 3 weeks I have done Trailblazers, Cricklands and UK Riders. I have to say that I enjoyed UK Riders the most. UK Riders sets out to provide a relaxed and super friendly series and seems to be achieving just that.                                   -------------------------------------- The following report and results is courtesy of Equestrian Life Magazine. A number of showjumping shots are available to view and purchase on line at wwwequestrianlifemagazine.com  Left side click `buy photos`. The Topspec UK Riders National Finals were held for the first time at Arena UK at Allington, Grantham. Also for the first time both the show jumping and dressage were held on the same day, which added to the sense of `buzz` and excitement for the competitors and spectators alike.   The combination of super all-weather arenas, warm and dry weather all made for a busy and exciting day for competitors, friends and family who had travelled, some long distances, from many regions of the country. Classes were underway promptly in the showjumping arena, with a splendid two-phase course laid out to test the horse and rider’s ability and accuracy.  The first class of the day, the Junior Restricted Novice Showjumping was won by Jake Walker on Molly, just one of 4 ponies he brought to the finals from Warwickshire. 2nd place was Sam Leeson on Red who qualified at Arena UK and 3rd place went to Alice Donnelly on Perfect Miss Millie.  This partnership had been working to improve on their 4th position from last year and Millie is, according to Alice, her dream pony In the Senior Restricted Novice, one of the winners from last year was in winning form again.  Sally McNaughton on Joop took first place.  One of Sally’s two horses qualified in Yorkshire at Thornton Lodge.  2nd place went to Rachael Wheeldon from Onley Grounds. There were huge entries in both the Junior and Senior Novice classes.  In the Junior Novice Final, a well-deserved win went to Amy Rider on Jester Bear.  Amy and Jester have been together 4 years now.  Jester loves his mints and always demands a mint straight after his showjumping rounds.  A huge thanks go to ‘Grandma’ who, without her staunch support they would not be able to do nearly as much as they do, including attending the Finals.   2nd place was Abbie Curtis on Top Cat who qualified in Yorkshire at Thornton Lodge and in 3rd place was Luke Bradley on Twin Cherish who travelled from Suffolk, following qualification at Poplar Park. In the Senior Novice Final, Jane Courtney on Sea Brooke Bay from Laughton Manor, Lincs took first place with 2nd place going to Toni Ford on George, from Leeds who qualified at Arena UK.   George was originally a ‘trotter’ and was not allowed to jump because he was used for carriage work but after a day’s hunting it was decided that jumping suited him better.  3rd place was Caroline Clayton-Wright on Summer Song from Rugby The Junior Intermediate Final continued with strong entries.  1st place went to Caragh Richardson on Mr Denver.  Caragh has only had Mr Denver, a Belgian Warmblood for 12 months and they have just started competing together – clearly to good effect! 2nd  was Flying Colours ridden by Tara-Kate Tordoff,  who qualified at High Plains, Yorkshire, 3rd was F Beharrell on Puzzle and in 4th place was Hannah Dury on Romeo.  Hannah and Romeo have been together now just over one year and worked hard to get to the UK Riders Finals.  They also qualified for the Trailblazers Championships. The Senior Intermediate Final produced a first-time win for Eve-Marie Manchon on Ravensdale Charmer.  Eve qualified at Elms Farm, Lincs and herself lives  locally in Nottinghamshire.  Both she and Ravensdale Charmer are back competing after ‘maternity leave’.  Eve has owned Ravensdale Charmer since she was a 3-year-old and broke her in herself.  Despite now being 17-years-old, she loves showjumping, especially with an audience (the horse that is, not Eve!).  In 2nd place was S Faulkner on Hapsburg Othello who qualified at Lazy Acres, from Banbury and 3rd went to Jane Courtney on Sea Brooke Bay with her second rosette of the day The Junior and Senior Open Final produced just 3 winners from both sections.  In the Juniors, Caragh Richardson on Mr Denver, straight from their success in the Junior Intermediate Final, produced another perfect round to take top spot in the Open Final too with 2nd place going to Hannah Dury from Nottinghamshire on Romeo.  Hannah and Romeo produced a very impressive round, just having four faults to take 2nd place. In the Senior Open Final, 1st and only placing went to Hannah Slater on Spring Oats from Leicestershire who qualified at High Cross.  She and Spring Oats were the only double clear from over 14 starters in the Senior section Due to Arena UKs extensive all-weather arenas, three dressage areas were able to run simultaneously.    One of the first classes was the Intro A Juniors.  1st place was Linsey Turner on Jackson Was from Warwickshire with a score of 74.55%.  Linsey and Toddy were 2nd last year in Junior Prelim and are currently competing in British Eventing 90 classes and were a very credible 4th last time out at Aston le Walls.  2nd place was Amy Foster on Rosemount Jack with a score of 70.45%.  Owned by Sam Fogg, Fergus, as he is known at home, jumps BSJA and hunts most of the winter but Amy kindly agreed to compete him at dressage as Sam admits that dressage is not his thing!  3rd was Olivia Punchon on Dancing Spirit who qualified at High Cross in Leicestershire with a score of 68.64%. Intro A Seniors.  1st place went to Lauren Rothwell on Pasaka with a score of 69.13%.  Lauren only started dressage with Pasaka two months ago; they normally do Show jumping, but qualified at Croft in Lancashire after her usual ride was seriously injured.  Seems they might continue with the dressage now!  2nd was Katie Frost on Keeran Choice with a score 68.25%.  Katie and Keeran’s Choice (Dylan) are from Derbyshire and qualified at Eland Lodge.  Katie and Dylan, a registered Connemara, are a new partnership but Dylan excels at Working Hunter and One Day Events.   3rd place was Bethany Abbott 67.39%.  Bethany and Fiddle qualified at Cockshot in Cheshire, riding for owner Mrs J Oakes.  Fiddle is a 17.3hh Trakehner, a true gentleman with a great personality and was Bethany was thrilled to have the opportunity to ride him at the Finals. 4th was Sam Gawn on Harry with 66.09% who qualified at Rugby Riding Club. Prelim 14 Junior was dominated with a straight 1st-2nd by Mark Davidson.  He took 1st on Prince Concord with an impressive score of 79.17% and 2nd on Mrs S Metcalf’s horse Foxglen Domino with 76.72%.  Mark is currently Riding Foxglove Domino as the owner is pregnant.  Clearly a good partnership as they had already qualified to ride at RIHS in July earlier this year and at HOYS in October and the Burghley Event Pony Class in September.  3rd was Linsey Turner on Jackson with another high score of 71.25%.  4th was Sam Walker on Pickle with a score of 70.42% who qualified at Arena UK. In the Prelim 14 Senior, 1st place went to Emma Howell on Velidin with a score of 78.75%.  Emma and Velidin qualified at Laughton Manor in Lincolnshire.  =2nd were Lyn Lawson on Mendel and C Moor riding Ready Steady 71.67%.  Lyn and Mendel qualified at Knapp Farm in Swindon.  Having already won the Bath Riding Club Prelim Championships this has been a tremendous confidence builder for Lyn who confesses to being a nervous rider.  4th place went to Bethany Abbott on Fiddle with a score of 70.55%.  Bethany and Fiddle qualified again at Cockshot Dressage in Cheshire, riding for owner Mrs J Oakes and was their second placing at the Finals.   5th was Jane Courtney and Sea Brooke Bay from Nottinghamshire with a very credible score of 70.42% Novice 36 Junior, 1st was Charlotte Robson on Trixies Harry Dash with a score of 70.77%.  Charlotte and Trixies Harry Dash qualified for the Finals at Thornton Lodge in Easingwold, York.  However the pair enjoy all Pony Club activities and qualified for the Pony Club Nationals in 2008 in dressage, showjumping and one day eventing. 2nd was Mark Davidson on Foxglen Domino with a score of 70%.  Building on his 1st and 2nd placings in the Prelim 14 Juniors, Mark again produced excellent marks on both horses to take 2nd and 3rd place respectively on Prince Concord with a score of 66.15%. 4th was Amy Foster Celtic Gamble with 65.38%.  Novice 36 Senior produced a joint 1st place for Michelle Davison on Nuez with a score of and Michelle Bacon on Keotake with a score of 69.62%.  3rd was Emma Howell on Velidin with a score of 69.23%.  The pair qualified locally at Laughton Manor.  4th went to place went to Julie Fellows on Penboyr Brenin with a score of 69.67%.  Brenin loves jumping and gymkhana games so this was a bit of a change for him. Elementary 50 Junior.  1st place went to Charlotte Robson on Trixies Harry Dash with a score of 65.35%.   2nd place was Heather Cardwell on Lucky Boy with a score of 64.64%.  Heather and Lucky Boy, a Welsh Section D got their qualification at Cockshot in Warrington.  They clearly love their dressage having won the UK Riders Junior Elementary in 2008 and the Aintree Dressage Junior Champion Prelim also in 2008.  In the Elementary 50 Senior, 1st was Kirstie Miller on Waltzing Matilda with a score of 65.71% fresh from their success at Trailblazers, where they came 7th in Elementary Dressage.  2nd was Nicola Ellis on Leon R with a score of 62.50%.  =3rd were Karen Scott on Jon and Sarah Scott on Saddam with a score of 62.14%.   Karen and Jon qualified locally at Laughton Manor and compete for fun.   5th place went to Michelle Davis on Nuez with a score 61.43%.  The Organisers would like to thank their main sponsors, TopSpec for their kind sponsorship of each and every class and to the Arena UK staff, the judges, writers and stewards, the commentators and course builders.  Without all this generous assistance the day would not have been the huge success that it was. Not forgetting the riders many of whom work very hard to reach the National Finals and in these difficult financial times go without other things to compete. We hope very much that competitors, family and friends enjoyed their day and we look forward to welcoming you all back to the National Finals in 2010.