A NEW formula brought with it the most popular class winner of the season at the BSJA Two-Day Event. Ken Carre’s commitment to his role as BSJA Guernsey president means that he very rarely gets the chance to participate, so when he had the chance to board his Irish gelding Ballyhill Promise in the novice class at this innovative competition, he made the most of it with a victory.

‘He competes only very occasionally, this was the first time this year, as he is so committed to the club that he puts everyone else before himself,’ said the BSJA’s Jill Browning.

BSJA broke with tradition in holding this original event.

The first phase of the competition was a stiff test of horse and rider stamina over a 2km cross-country course in Les Vauxbelets valley. The second phase on day two took on a more-traditional role with a technical speed show-jumping course at their base at Chemin Le Roi.

The combined time of the two elements of the competition decided the winners in the various height sections.

The cross-country, with showjump-style obstacles strategically placed over the course, provided some spectacular hills for horse and rider to climb with accompanying steep drops requiring skill and balance to negotiate down.

The toughest course was undoubtedly for the Senior Open class, which also provided the most competitors forward taking up the challenge.

Errors, of course, either a knockdown or refusal, incurred serious time penalties to be added to the rider’s time and a fall of horse or rider or missing out one of the compulsory flags incurred elimination.

First forward on one of her two rides was Emma Dorey riding her mother’s Storm Alert who put in a very fast time and set the standard at 5min. 3sec. but a pole down at fence nine produced a true time of 5-23.

Dorey’s time in this section of the competition was only beaten by Kate Lawlor riding Aspen Gem who produced a clean round in 5-12 to go into the lead after day one.

Very close on their heels was Sarah Cann with Cushinstown Rock who completed the cross-country course clear in 5-38.

The only rider to break the five-minute barrier was Terry Lihou on Sally Wood’s Skippetts Burnett.

They scorched home in a record 4-43 in the Senior Intermediate Class and stood well out in front going into the show jumping phase.

After day one, the leader board for the two senior novice classes were headed by Chris Travers riding Maximus and Carre on Ballyhill Promise.

Juniors were also out in force to tackle the long and tricky course but a missed flag coming into the home run just before the final fence meant elimination for Jenny Winfindale and her super jumping pony Kilrea Boy on what was otherwise a foot perfect round.

This was such a costly mistake as Winfindale was the only junior rider to attempt the Junior Open course at the 0.90m height.

Gabriella Gervaise-Brazier and her younger sister Tiffany both completed the course on two ponies each, as did young rider Jodie Travers all proving their experience and fitness over this 2km track.

However, the fastest time posted by a junior rider going into the second day of the competition was by Charlotte Croft riding her black and white pony Ballygawley Lad.

The second day’s showjumping round, again against the clock, produced some changes to the leader boards.

In the Senior Open class, Storm Alert and Dorey took one pole out but put in such a quick time that they took over the lead from Aspen Gem and Lawlor who jumped clear but in a slower time.

Lawlor finished in second place with Cann and Cushinstown Rock in third.

In the Senior Intermediate class, Lihou had 36 seconds in hand against his nearest rival but a momentary lapse of concentration resulted in the wrong fence being jumped and elimination.

This handed the prize money to his nearest rival Eleanor Chopin-John and Comic Appeal with Sally Hargreaves and Holy Knight taking second place.

The two Senior Novice leaders maintained their places, both jumping faultless clear rounds.

Travers and Maximus took one class and Carre secured a very popular and well deserved win in the other.

In the final phase of the two junior classes, Charlotte Croft maintained her lead despite two poles down to win her class by 12sec. from Gabby Gervaise-Brazier and Crystal Sword.

Two junior riders took four places between them in the lower Junior class. Jodie Travers took first and second place on Kool Milyun Quality Street and Willow Parks Amos with Tiffany Gervaise-Brazier taking fourth and fifth place with Springside Pink Panther and Dazzling Silver.

At the landowner’s request, the club has made a donation to a nominated charity by way of thanks for use of the land in the beautiful valley setting.

The format for the event will be repeated on 30 and 31 October at another new venue and members will find the schedule on www.bsjaguernsey.co.uk