June 25, 2018

PRESS RELEASE – For immediate release

Affiliated eventing returned to, The College Equestrian, Keysoe this weekend in would should have been the venues second British Eventing fixture of the season.  In a stark contrast to May when the event was abandoned due to wet ground, Keysoe was bathed in the hot Bedfordshire sun.

Organiser Simon Bates commented:

“What a difference 7 weeks makes, from never ending rain to seemingly never ending sun. The whole team here have been a complete credit to us and rose to the challenge of preparing the ground exceptionally well”

As venues across the country struggle with hardening ground the team at Keysoe put every effort into preparing the ground to the best of their abilities.  With cross-country curse design headed by, 4* international event rider, Angus Smales and built and prepared by Dominic Moore’s  Jump 1 team, compost had been added to the cross country track to create an extra layer of cushioned going, as well as all routes being Agrivated.

“We were really pleased with the going we managed to produce and a lot of the feedback we’ve received so far tends to suggest that the efforts were well received by the competitors.” Simon Bates.

Sarah and Ben Way had a busy weekend, with numerous rides in Friday’s Burghley Young Event Horse Qualifiers, as well as four rides for Ben in Saturday’s Novice and BE100 classes.

“It was a really good, well presented and flowing course” confirmed Ben, “there could have maybe done with an alternative here or there but it rode well.  It was a great run for Hullabaloo to pick up the win in the Novice”.

 

The husband and wife team dominated the 4-year-old qualifiers with Sarah Way taking the win on Mrs Powell Brett’s Callista Clover.  The 16hh mare produces a consistent set of scores to finish on a total of 84.5 to win, ahead of Annie Bellamy and Shannondale Aero in 2nd.  Ben Way and Simba Wawana finished 5th, with Sarah’s second ride So Smart finishing 6th.

 

The 5-year-old class was won by Sarah Bullimore and her own Coroyale, the mare by Royaldik and out of Sarah’s 4* mare Lilly Corinne.  The very smart mare was pulled out in 1st in the Suitability and Potential, to win ahead of MS Team’s MDSandyhill Penhills Zorro who lead the first phase with full marks in the jumping phase.  Coroyale went on to finish 4th in Saturday’s BE100.

 

Keysoe 3 returns on 24th – 26th August with Devoucoux as new title sponsor.  The three day fixture will also play host to the final round of the Devoucoux BE80 Eastern Region League. Entries open on the 20th July via www.bdwp.co.uk