BRC NAF Horse Trials Championships 2022

We had entered a Senior Team in the 80cm, 90cm and an individual junior in the 80cm Open. Despite worries about the ground being too hard after the driest and hottest July on record the going at Swalcliffe was excellent after being watered and aerated.

On the Friday the senior 80cm team of Caroline. Becci, Susannah and Liv all really enjoyed the day. All jumped well in the show jumping with just 4 faults for Beckii and Liv. The cross country course was proving very influential in the 80cm classes with fences 4 and 15 proving the bogey fence for many riders. Unfortunately Beccii's horse wasn't feeling on form so Beckii decided to retire him after a couple of stops early on the course. Both Susannah and Liv's horses had an unfortunate stop at fence 15 going into the second water complex on the course. Caroline and Iris went clear but picked up several time penalties which bought them down to a 4th placing in their arena.

Saturday was the turn of the senior 90cm team which was down to 3 with Helen, Lorna and Michelle. Saturday consisted of dressage and show jumping with Helen getting an excellent score of 23.3 in her arena. Sunday's cross country was meant to be over the long format of roads and track and steeple chase but was now only cross country due to the extreme weather. Lorna had a good clear, Helen’s Milo had a green stop at the last water but has completed his first stay away show and Michelle on her wonderful Badger completed definitely both of theirs biggest and hilliest of cross country’s!! 

Also on Saturday and Sunday was Horsham's youngest rider Emily at her first BRC Championship at just 12 years old in the 80cm Open section. Emily did really well to finish 9th!

It was a fantastic weekend at Swalcliffe, full of fun and team spirit. Thank you to Darren Tullet for being the best groom, cook and then mechanic too!! Thank Helen Millichamp for organising the team qualifier and championship entries!