Captain Staples copes with pressure to secure victory
NERVES were fraying by the fence in the final stages of a thrilling team competition at the Guernsey Horse of the Year Show.
Although Guernsey defeated the England quartet in a reverse of last year’s outcome at Chemin Le Roi, captain Sian Staples had a lot of weight on her shoulders when she tackled the final leg for her team on Sunday.
The hosts had great footing from Thursday’s opening round, where they graduated with no faults to England’s four after discards.
But Amy Parnwell and Company Business’ eight faults on Sunday’s first run came into play when, after a nice clear from Justin Ogier and Zandokan Z, the usually unswayable Follyfoot Arkadia of Sarah Jackson hit a mental block on the fifth obstacle and the duo were eliminated.
After discarding their error-strewn opener, England still only had four faults.
Staples on Billy Mont Blanc then delivered a fabulous clear round to see the Sarnians home, after which England’s final jumper picked up eight irreversible faults.
‘It feels pretty good,’ Staples said after Guernsey won with eight faults to 12.
‘I was confident of the team going into the team event and on Thursday the pressure was on a bit. Having a fence in hand, I felt the pressure even though we had one toe over the line.’
Staples, whose five-year-old gelding was the youngest horse on the team, added: ‘I definitely felt the pressure, but that’s why I’m captain I guess.
‘They thought I could hold it together.’
Locals and visitors alike had showed plenty of quality throughout the week, making Sophie Ephgrave and Jayley’s victory in the 1.10m Senior Showjumper of the Year class even more impressive.
Ultimately a Jersey combination gave them the closest challenge, and a real close one it was, as they edged Emily Rolland and Ica D’Emma Z by 0.19sec. in the run-off.
‘Last day of the show and it was so nice to finish on such a positive note,’ Ephgrave said.
‘It was a really competitive class, so I was chuffed to win.’
Acquiring Jayley three years ago was what got Ephgrave back into showjumping after a long hiatus.
‘I missed it, I missed the horses, and I had the opportunity to get a really nice horse,’ she reflected.
Close rivalries also characterised the concluding puissance – horse high jump – as Richard Croft and Monk’s Spartan shared top spot with Kelly King and Tinkers Tale.
Both managed to clear 1.55m, but 1.60m proved a step too far.
Ogier had triumphed in the other headline senior class of the weekend.
The in-form Sarnian, who had made the Guernsey team for the first time, rode 21-year-old Zandokan to victory in Saturday’s 1.10m Grand Prix as the UK’s Emily Mould and Hummer settled for second.
Rolland and Ica D’Emma Z won the Intermediate (0.95m) equivalent, while Deborah Powell and Dealer’s Pride took the Novice (0.75m) silverware.
Friday’s programme consisted solely of showing and it was there that Sam Gervaise-Brazier and Tyson EB – who also contested several jumping classes through the week – particularly shone.
They claimed top honours in the prestigious Supreme Championship on top of the Open Working Hunter (0.85cm) and Working Hunter Championship.
Emma Dorey and Lyanna won the pony Supreme Championship.
Meanwhile, Georgia Rihoy completed a double in the weekend’s most prestigious junior classes.
The 13-year-old rode Lucky Bay to victory in the Pony Grand Prix and Junior Showjumper of the Year classes, both over 90cm. Brother Zac added to the family success by winning the 75cm Pony Novice Grand Prix.
Limited visitors meant that the junior team competition took a more casual format, pitting four largely Guernsey-based quartets against one another.
The Dream Team of Freya Lambourne, Adrian Minehane, Holly Slatter and Seren Trott lived up to their name by shaking off strong opposition.
