A-level student wins big at Hickstead

18-year-old Chelsea Skelton fended off 24 other competitors to win big at this year’s Royal International Horse Show.

The Lincolnshire lass was crowned the Winter Grades B&C Championships on Wednesday, after a stunning double clear on eight-year-old Caramba.

There were 24 starters in the class, all of whom have been competing to qualify over the winter season. The championship often shines a light on the sports up and coming talents.

Reformed Character

Chelsea, who has just finished her A-levels, has ridden the gelding since he was a five-year-old, but he wasn’t the easiest ride.

“He was really naughty – he used to go up on his back legs and leave the arena. Sometimes I still have to ride him for two hours first to stop him running off with me,” she says.

“We couldn’t afford to buy a really good horse, so we had to go for something that was a bit quirky. I saw him advertised and begged mum to go see him, and we bought him with the money she has saved up to buy a new kitchen.”

“Nerve Wracking.”

Chelsea competed here a few years ago with the Hurstpierpoint College National Schools and Pony Club Championships. But this was her first time competing in the International Arena.

“It was a bit nerve wracking, but after the first jump I just though it’s okay, I know what I’m doing. And he does like the big arena,” she says.

Other Results.

Adrian Whiteway and his eight-year-old gelding, Cojack, were the fastest of five combinations to jump a double clear, and won the 1.25m SEIB Winter Novice Championships.

The action got underway in the pony showjumping with Fife based rider Fraser Reed heading the Oakley Coachbuilders Winter Grade JC Championship. He and his mount Bay Friend were the fastest of only two combinations who jumped a double clear.

Hannah Barker and My Little Friend won The Winter 128cms Championships, while the 138cm sections went to Shaunie Greig on Drumaclan Flight.

In the showing, Billy Ward took the Open Hackney Championship with WestBourne Hi-Tech. Trotting in to take the Leeman Family Supreme Hunter Pony Championship was Thistledown Las Vegas ridden by Reise Shakespeare.