Science Supplements BE90 and BE90 Open Area Festival Champions crowned
Sunday 16 May saw the culmination of the first ever Science Supplements Area Festival at Firle Place, Sussex, with the crowning of the BE90 and BE90 Open Area Champions, and the hosting of the new-look BE80 and BE90 Area Qualifiers
BE90 AND BE90 OPEN AREA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Elizabeth Evans and her eleven-year-old bay mare Diamond Rhapsody took the top spot in the Science Supplements BE90 Open Championship, completing on their impressive dressage score of 27.5. Gillian Mason and Trinity O Really finished just 0.1 penalties behind for second and Laura Hanson and Bonnie Release The Stars in third on 28.3.
Elizabeth, a Cancer Research Scientist commented; “I am so happy, I was overjoyed to have qualified and came to Firle with no expectations. I grew up locally so to compete on home turf is so special - the setting is beautiful; the courses were stunning, and the cross country was a real challenge leaving you with a real sense of achievement.”
Eighteen-year-old Chloe Dunn and her ten-year-old dun Towerhill Shamie were unbeatable in the Eco Voltz BE90 Area Championship after posting the best dressage score of the day in their class. The duo triumphed on a final score on 26.9, with Jessica Richardson and Phoenella in second place on 27.9 and Connie Dale and Killoughey Shutterfly in third on 31.3.
“I am absolutely over the moon!” said Chloe. “Coming to Firle more than made up for the disappointment of not being able to go to Badminton; the venue was amazing with both the show jumping and cross country technical and up to height with great views in front of the house” she added. “Shamie felt great in the dressage and jumped his socks off in the show jumping which is not our strongest phase. He then flew around the cross country giving me such a great ride”.
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.”
SCIENCE SUPPLEMENTS BE80 AREA QUALIFIERS
The Science Supplements Area Festivals hosted the new-look Area Qualifiers, replacing Regional Finals. The BE80 Area Qualifiers brought together combinations contesting for a place at the 2021 BE80 National Championships being held at Cholmondeley Castle.
Caroline Davies and Happy H took the win in Section O on a final three-phase score of 31.8. Their double-clear inside the time proved to be influential with cross country time playing an important part in the final results. Tabitha Stephenson and Tullibards Magical Ocean completed on 33.8 for second and Thomas Gower and Willow Weszero on 34.4 for third.
In Science Supplements BE80 Area Qualifier Section P, Jo Mair and her eight-year-old grey gelding Kilbrien Chris took pole position on a final score of 36.9 as one of few double clears. Elizabeth Linford and Islandeady Dun Fox were second on 38.0 and Allison Ingram and Master Comic third on 39.5.
BE90 AREA QUALIFIERS
In the BE90 Area Qualifiers, bringing together combinations vying for a place in the 2022 National BE90 Championship at Badminton Horse Trials, Eloise Van Praagh and Lough Derg Joe triumphed in Section J; Cara Clasper and Goya Lancer in Section K and Heidi Ford and Contessa III in Section L.
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*
Entries are currently open for the Science Supplements Area Festival at Frickley Park, and entries for Chillington Hall open on Monday 17th May.
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.