“The only way is Essex!” : Double County Champions

After a fantastic action packed day on Saturday at Copthornes 2^nd Annual Show Jumping event, where as a team we were crowned West Sussex Champions in the 70cm and Roselly won the individual 80cm County title. It was quickly back home to prepare the all important ponies ready for their  journey around the M25  to the National  qualifier at the New Hall School Event in Essex early Sunday morning.  We arrived as double defending champions on a familiar course which suited our speedy ponies.

However, we  had one goal “to qualify for the 80cm team Show Jumping at the Nationals”, held later this year.

In the 70cm  competition the team performed brilliantly. Four super fast clear rounds, placing the team 1st and retaining our Essex County Champions title. We had already qualified for the 70cm Nationals, so a great warm up for our quest.  Individually Roselly was 2nd  with Georgia  a close 3^rd, both securing individual invites to the 70cm Nationals.

In the 80cm there were 22 teams and 102  competitors trying to emulate us!, would it be our day?. Tactically Roselly decided to jump the ever reliable Jack over her usual mount, Misty. It worked a treat, 6^th  team in and  4  lightning  fast clears, we had set our mark , now it was out of our hands.

 What a feeling when we were announced the winners by 0.7 seconds!  Retained our Second  Essex County Title  and the coveted National Qualifier invitation  was ours. The icing on the cake was Georgia  winning the individual,  another Championship invite, and Amber hot on her heels in 4^th.

A superb end to a perfect Show Jumping  weekend as now we are  Surrey, West Sussex and Essex 2012 County Champions……… Go Copthorne

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