First Science Supplements Area Festival Champions crowned
The BEDE Events team today hosted the inaugural Science Supplements Area Festival at Firle Place, Sussex, crowning the first ever BE80, BE80 Open, BE100 and BE100 Open Area Champions and welcoming competitors to the new-look Area Qualifier classes.
David Mitson, Group CEO of title sponsors Science Supplements commented; “It has been fantastic to see so many people back out eventing. Firle Place is an amazing venue and we have had so many competitors come and say hello and be so positive about the Area Festivals and our support for grassroots eventing.”
Area Championships
BE80 and BE80 Open Area Championships
Full-time Psychology and Neuroscience student Ella Lucas and her six-year-old black gelding My Good Morning were crowned Allen and Page BE80 Area Festival Champions, completing on their impressive dressage score of 25.3. Allegra Driscoll and Fairy Wand were runners up on a final score of 32.5 and Beth Hobden and Beach Lady followed closely behind on 35.9 for third.
“I am so shocked, this has not sunken in” said Ella, who works two jobs to fund eventing around her university commitments. “I was last to go on the cross country and knew if I went clear I could win, the pressure was incredible. I was apprehensive for the first few fences, but once we were over the ditch, he flew the rest of the course. As I came over the finish line I burst into tears and mum was there sobbing too. What an astonishing day” she added.
Ella who will be sitting her final university exams this evening returns to Firle Place tomorrow to contest the BE90 Open Area Championship on her other horse The Chestnut.
Deborah Burrell and Imperial Tangle took the top spot in the brand new BE80 Open Area Championship supported by Equissage, providing a new competition opportunity for riders competing horses with grading points or otherwise not eligible for other BE Championships.
“I am an older person with five children, and for me personally I am more confident at BE80 having previously competed at BE90. When I heard about these new Area Festivals I was keen to qualify and was delighted to get my double-clear at Chilham Castle. The BE80 courses at Firle today were so well built; challenging, technical and up to height. For an amateur grassroots rider working so hard, waking up at 4am, to be able to stand on a podium was just so special, incredible in fact,” said Deborah.
Lucinda Langhorne and Howard were runners up in the BE80 Open Area Championship on a final score of 34.1 and Nicola James and Tasmanian Pride third on 63.3.
BE100 and BE100 Open Area Championships
Katie Hipkins and Martins Irish Warrior conjured up a stunning performance to take the win in the South East Eventers League BE100 Area Championship on a score of 34.6. ‘George’ as he is affectionately known at home, was previously ridden by Katie’s partner Ollie Martin so the win was especially poignant. “I am thrilled to win at such a local and prestigious event,” said Katie. “George was just so classy today, I have been beaming” she added.
Ruth McLoughlin and Earl of Corrib completed on a score of 38.4 to take second place and Helen Philo and Juno Limit followed closely behind on 38.9 for third.
Justin Clubley and his nine-year-old KWPN gelding Hokus Pokus were victorious in the Autumn Financial BE100 Open Area Championships on a score of 31.0. They finished just ahead of Harriet Ford and Isington Illusion on 31.3 and Laura K Gordon and Carramore Boy on a score of 33.6 for third.
“It was a fair but testing track with a very cleverly designed course that made great use of the land and undulations. The ground was exceptional and there was a fantastic atmosphere throughout the day. The sponsors have done a great job and the event was brilliantly organised – the enhanced prize money was a nice bonus too! My horses have definitely left feeling full of confidence and ready to step up to the next level,” said Justin.
Area Qualifiers
The Science Supplements Area Festivals hosted the new-look Area Qualifiers, replacing Regional Finals. The BE100 Area Qualifiers brought combinations together contesting for their place at the 2022 BE100 National Championships at Badminton Horse Trials.
Holly Allan and Ray of Light W took the win in Section C of the Batcheller Monkhouse sponsored BE100 Area Qualifiers on a score of 29.0 having posted the best dressage score in their section. Millie Rogers and REHY MBF triumphed in Section D on a score of 28.2.
About the Science Supplements Area Festivals
The Science Supplements Area Festivals are a new addition to the 2021 BE Fixtures Calendar and host new-look BE80(T), BE90 and BE100 Area Qualifiers replacing existing Regional Finals, and new Area Championship classes at BE80(T), BE80(T) Open, BE90, BE90 Open, BE100 and BE100 Open providing grassroots riders with an exciting new competition opportunity and goal.
There are four 2021 Area Festival venues:
- Firle Place, Sussex (15-16 May)
- Frickley Park, South Yorkshire (19-20 June)
- Chillington Hall, Staffordshire/Shropshire border (26-27 June)
- Northern/Scottish region Area Festival venue – to be announced soon*
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE AREA FESTIVALS
About Firle Place
The idyllic Firle Estate was used as a primary location in the new film adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved classic Emma which starred Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Nighy, Johnny Flynn and Miranda Hart.
The Firle Estate sits in the heart of the South Downs National Park and is just 60 miles from the centre of London. It incorporates several villages and farms spread over rolling hills, with Firle a thriving rural community set in one of the most picturesque parts of the United Kingdom.
Tomorrow, Sunday 16 May, will see the conclusion of the Science Supplements Area Festivals with the BE90, BE90 Open Area Championships and BE80 and BE90 Area Qualifier classes taking place.