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3 minute read
The Howden Way Riders and Young Horses Shine with Standout Performances at Kelsall Hill International
Riders from The Howden Way Talent and Young Horse Academy impressed at Kelsall Hill International, securing top results across the CCI-S 3* and CCI-S 2* classes and showcasing the strength of early-season preparation.
In the CCI-S 3* Young Rider Jasmine Underwood delivered a polished performance aboard her European double gold medal-winning mare, Indian Girl G, finishing in 2nd place on a score of 27.8, just 2.1 penalties behind winner Yasmin Ingham. Hot on her heels was fellow Academy rider Finn Healy, who took 3rd place with his Greannastown Monbeg Joe, an 8-year-old gelding who is part of our Young Horse Academy, finishing on 29.1. With the top three decided on dressage scores and both riders jumping foot-perfect double clears within the time, it was a confident and consistent start to the season.
“I am so grateful to be a part of the Howden Way Rider Talent Academy,” Jasmine said. “I have found it really helpful to have a range of inputs from different top-class trainers to focus on some key areas to improve in myself and my horses coming into the season. I am really looking forward to some more training throughout the season now to keep building on what we have achieved.”
The talent didn’t stop there, with Elizabeth Barratt securing 6th and 12th on Big Boss Melo (33.8) and LVS Movistar (36.9) respectively, and Jemima Howden finishing 11th with Monbeg Whisper (35.9), all delivering double clears. In total, five placings were secured inside the top 12 out of 70 starters by our Rider Talent Academy athletes, a true testament to the programme’s development of young talent.
In the CCI-S 2*, Tier 2 Junior Rider Holly Law continued her remarkable form, claiming victory with her homebred gelding, Wishing Time on a score of 29.3, making it their third consecutive win this season. With over 80 starters, Holly’s consistency and composure stood out. Fellow Young Rider Annabel Finston placed 3rd with Camee De Muze, and Junior rider Martha Hall finished 8th on KBIS Starburst, jumping a stylish double clear.
Holly said: “Being part of The Howden Way Talent Academy has given me fantastic support and access to some of the best trainers and facilities, setting us all up for a successful start to the season.”
Sunday also hosted a key Pony Observation Trial, where Annabel Ridgway topped the leaderboard riding Galtee Kassy Cashel Girl, finishing as the only rider on her dressage score of 28.5. Annabel also secured 6th with Maidstar and 7th with Akim De L’arquerie.
“It was our first Pony Trial of the year, so I was thrilled to have all three ponies in the top ten,” Annabel said. “The support from The Howden Way, especially training with Nicola Wilson, has made a big difference when it counts on competition days.”
Other strong performances from our Pony Riders included Chloe Chan finishing 4th on Blennerville Rua, and Florence Drewitt, who jumped a double clear to secure 5th with Battlestown Delight.
Justine Parker, Programme Director of The Howden Way, commented:
“It’s been fantastic to see consistent performances across all three phases from our Academy riders and Young Horse Academy combinations this weekend. A huge congratulations to the riders who placed so well in highly competitive fields! This weekend truly showcased the progress being made, with many putting their training into action and delivering impressive performances across the entire cohort competing at Kelsall Hill.”
Thank you to our Academy partners Dodson & Horrell, Enduro and Unibed for their support.