Festival Focus - Bicton Arena

Riders made their way to Bicton Arena (12 - 14 August) where the sun was shining and the judges were ready to award places to the Petplan Equine Summer Area Festival Championships.

Petplan’s picks! 

Emily Morgan found her heart horse eight years ago as an unbroken three year old, they are now out to win their first title in the Prix St Georges Silver and Inter I Silver. Emily tells us about their journey so far, “he was supposed to be a project but he stole my heart and is now part of our family. He competed in Young Horse classes as a 4, 5 and 6 year old taking me to many championships. We then qualified at Elementary to go to the LeMieux National Championships and then the NAF Five Star Winter Championships where we came 8th. We have now competed up the levels to Inter I.”

They will be heading to Arena UK in October to the Petplan Equine Summer Area Festival Championships and Emily could not be more proud, “he is such a kind horse who the whole family can ride. I feel very grateful to have found him and I am looking forward to the championships and the future with my lovely horse.”

Ex-racehorse Howaboutrightnow has surpassed all of owners Richard Kelveys’ expectations by winning the Prelim Bronze. Richard tells us about their partnership, “since October 2021 has managed a number of wins in BD classes and has now qualified for both the NAF Five Star Winter Championship at Hartpury and the Petplan Equine Summer Area Festival Championships. Not what we expected when he left racing in December 2020! I feel very fortunate.”

“I had no expectations going into the test - Boss and I only started our partnership in January and have only been out competing together since April,” Nicci Kayes said about their second place in the Advanced Medium Bronze with her horse Boss X.

“I just wanted arena experience in a bigger atmosphere (as well as the plaque and photo of course!). On the day, I was so pleased with how Boss went and I thoroughly enjoyed our test but it was a big class of lovely horses.” When Nicci found out they had gained their place to the Petplan Equine Summer Area Festival Championships she cried, “I still can't believe we have qualified for the Championships! Thank you Boss!”

Sian Axten purchased MSJ Gabriella as a 4 year old but Covid meant they hadn't competed at any Championships until this year she tells us, “Bicton Arena was Gabriella's first ever Area Festival and as a partnership and I was so impressed with her attitude to the atmosphere.” Second up the centrw line in their class meant a long wait to find out their winning result, “It was nerve wracking watching each score come in, we have only ridden a handful of Novice Silver tests and so I was absolutely delighted to win my class and qualify, I am really looking forward to October.”

Sally-Anne Egginton’s Cillnabradden Evo ridden by Poppy Burner were on winning form to win not only the Elementary Silver with 72.35% but the Medium Bronze as well, “I only got him six months ago,” Poppy told us. The sixteen year old gelding will now be attending his first championships at Arena UK.

"We had a brilliant day at Bicton Arena winning the Prix St Georges Bronze," Natalie Passmore told us. She has had her winning ride Diago II for seven years and has not been the easiest, "he has been very difficult to train. Very naughty as a youngster but now we are at small tour he has turned a huge corner and is now on side and trusting and very rideable but, I have had to be incredibly patient and persevere."

Talking through their day, "we had a long wait as I came up the night before just incase of the busy summer traffic to not be on till 5pm the following day. Bicton were brilliant catering for horse and riders, keeping us cool with the misting walk way and power showers. I am not good at waiting, so I cleaned the lorry inside twice and my tack to keep myself busy!" He is new to this level but has much more to give, "so much promise and talent and I can’t wait for the championships but we'll be heading to the Lemieux National Championships first at Advanced Medium, which he won a fortnight before at Bicton. So I would say it’s been a lucky venue!"

Bicton Arena winners 

Petplan Equine Preliminary Bronze  

Craig Wilson-Hole and Wilson Stars Eclipse, 71.88 %

Richard Kelvey and Howaboutrightnow, 69.72 %

Petplan Equine Preliminary Silver

Daisy Winkle and Decandro Hit LDS, 70.56 % 

Petplan Equine Novice Bronze   

Craig Wilson-Hole and Wilson Stars Eclipse, 71.25 % 

Petplan Equine Novice Silver  

Laima Davies and Romero, 70.07 %

Sian Axten and MSJ Gabriella, 68.89 %

Petplan Equine Elementary Bronze  

Frances Strong and Zyphire, 70.39 %

Petplan Equine Elementary Silver   

Poppy Burner and Cillnabradden EVO, 72.35 %    

Petplan Equine Medium Bronze   

Poppy Burner and Cillnabradden EVO, 69.61 %            

Petplan Equine Medium Silver  

Ella Glennon and Amden Supreme Golden Dancer, 68.28 %                

Petplan Equine Advanced Medium Bronze  

Amy Richards and Happy Pleasure, 69.02 %                                             

Petplan Equine Advanced Medium Silver  

Susan Jane Lanz and Wellshead Foxtrot, 67.22 %        

Petplan Equine Prix St Georges Bronze   

Natalie Passmore and Diago II, 65.74 %                                

Petplan Equine Prix St Georges Silver 

Emily Megan Farleigh and Wake Up, 67.99 %

Petplan Equine Intermediate I Bronze 

Janine Emma Joanna Jansen and Spitfire III, 68.87 %

Petplan Equine Intermediate I Silver

Emily Megan Farleigh and Wake Up, 68.24 %