AINTREE INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTRE NATIONAL FOUR DAY AMATEUR SHOW JUMPING EVENT 29TH JULY - 1ST AUGUST 2010.

 

Aintree Racecourse is perhaps best known as the home of the famous steeple-chase the Grand National, and it’s unique obstacles including Bechers Brook, Canal Turn, and the Chair. However, it was jumping, over a very different type of fence that took the headlines last weekend, as Aintree International Equestrian Centre hosted an action packed three day Amateur Show Jumping fixture.  Cheshire course builder Gillian Milner who earned praise for her course building over the weekend set suitably testing tracks to make Sunday’s championships an exciting finish to a great event.

 

Kicking off procedures on Friday with a good win in the KBIS Senior British Novice was local Merseyside rider Alex Lines riding her mother’s horse Spok.  The 1.00m Groovy Hooves Amateur championship qualifier was won by Laura Clark with Rosie Sunset Serenade and West Midlands Rider Sam Wall who came to Aintree with a full compliment of horses took the Sandicroft Stud 1.05m Adventurer Scope qualifier in good style with Redhill SR.

 

Over three days of top class competition, Lynne Clibburn with Ashdale Jackpot took the 1.15m Amateur Championship kindly supported by Clatterbridge Cancer Research with Paul Linning with Secret Smile coming a close second.  Danielle Ryder and Simon Gunson proved to be pair to be reckoned with notching up two wins each during the event. Simon took the Katherine James Scope qualifier with Proper BO and the Groovy Hooves1.00m qualifier with Monkland Magic Lady. Danielle won the Clatterbridge 1.15m qualifier with Chicoree III and the Smarter Transport Training National scope qualifier with the same mount.  Another regular winner at Aintree, Ian Wynne from North Wales took the 1.10m qualifier on the Saturday with Ann Wolley Dodd’s horse Broadstone Destiny.  Angela Eardley worked hard and triumphed to claim the title of the Equigene 1.10m Amateur Championship on Love Me with Sam Wall on Troy 11 finishing second.  Warrington rider Faith Crompton clinched the Bruce Hewitt 1.05m Open Championship with a great round on Bolingey Brook.

 

While top riders travelled from the length and breadth of the country to compete, riders from Lancashire, Cheshire  and Greater Manchester also turned out in force, with Allan Birch (Junior) taking the KBIS Senior British Novice class on Zapata on the Saturday and Laura Ferguson taking the Horse and Hound Foxhunter with her own Viletto II.  Father and son combination Keith and James Shore from Cheshire battled it out  for a respective second and third placing.   There was very keen competition for the Groovy Hooves 1.00m championship on the final day with Lisa Gaynor and Madame Mia taking top slot and a very well deserved win.

 

Merseyside combinations also in the frame at this fixture included, Helen Ravenscroft, Nicola Bampton and Chantelle Salkeld.

A party in the Bechers Lodge  on the Saturday evening went down a treat with competitors joining the party atmosphere.   A Chinese meal with entertainment provided by Angela Eardley and Norman Proffitt together with Ian Wynne prevailed as the show was voted a real winner by organisers, spectators and riders alike.  A vote of thanks must go to the very generous sponsors and supporters of the event, Clatterbridge Cancer Research, Groovy Hooves, ABC Bedding, Youngs Animal Feeds, Fearns Farm, Emerald Fotos, Miles Pollard Farriery, Volkswagen Liverpool, Bruce Hewitt Osteopaths and Welsh Tack for the supply of prize rugs.