BRC back with a bang following Arena Eventing Championships

Find out what went down at BRC’s Arena Eventing Championships

Its first live event of 2021, British Riding Clubs (BRC) and HorseQuest hosted an action-packed weekend showcasing the Arena Eventing Championships at Aston-le-Walls Equestrian Centre in Northamptonshire. The event took on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23, with more 520 junior and senior riders competing in teams and as individuals to try their hand at a range of Arena Eventing courses, ranging from 70-100cm.

Jennie Pallett, BRC Competitions Manager, said: “We were delighted to be able to run this event as our first championship for 2021. After dusting off the cobwebs we all settled back into running the event like we had never been away, and it was great to see many familiar faces”

The weekend began with the BRC HorseQuest Arena Eventing Mixed 70 Championship class, open to both junior and senior riders. The team event was won by Bay RC in Area 2 with a team score of 7.2. The overall individual winner and highest placed Junior in the 70cm was Keira Leeson riding Custer Lad (Charlie) from Beccles & Bungay RC in Area 14, finishing on a zero-penalty score, closest to the optimum time.

Keira Leeson said: “Charlie’s rhythmical, powerful and bold and I could tell when we were warming up that he was up for it. The course flowed nicely, and he took it all in his stride. I wanted to have fun and we definitely did.”

The Senior 80 Team Championship was won by Saffron Walden & District RC from Area 8, on a team score of 9.2 penalties. With their team member Suzannah Engelmann riding Joker lifting the overall individual 80 title, on a zero score.

Suzannah Engelmann said: “I’m totally over the moon that Joker has finally had a big win as he is usually overlooked for not being terribly consistent. I’m so chuffed that my perseverance with him has finally paid off.”

The Junior 80 Team Championship was won by Solihull RC from Area 5, with 17.2 penalties. With the overall individual honours going to Isobel Hinde riding Craughwell Lucy from Tendring Hundred RC in Area 8, who finished on a zero score.

Wey Valley RC from Area 11 became this year’s Senior 90 Team Arena Eventing Champions, with a team score of 7.2 penalties. The overall individual title went to Sarah Langley riding Edelman, from Cheltenham & District RC in Area 18, on a zero score.

The Junior 90 Team Championship was won by Three Counties RC from Area 13, with a score of 10.4 penalties. Lilly Waites riding Orions Artful Dodger from Worlington RC in Area 14 clinched the overall individual title, with 0.8 penalties.

Area 5 Riding Clubs enjoyed a very successful weekend with the Mixed 100 team title awarded to CROWN RC, on a score of 14.8. The overall individual winner for the final class of the weekend was Charlotte White riding Sienna II from Abinger Forest RC in Area 11, also finishing on a zero score.

Charlotte White said: “I had to double check the results as I couldn’t believe we’d won. She’s a quirky mare and has certainly tested the waters over the years but she has a heart of gold and I’m so pleased.”

Full results for the BRC HorseQuest Arena Eventing Championships 2021 can be found at brcscores.bhs.org.uk

For more info on how you can get involved with your local riding club, visit: bhs.org.uk/enjoy-riding/british-riding-clubs