Townend motoring towards Badminton

Belton Horse Trials in Lincolnshire proved to be a happy hunting ground for him at the weekend.

He won the Grantham Cup international class with Ashdale Cruise Master after excellent performances in all three phases.

The Huddersfield-born rider, now based in Shropshire, had a crashing fall from Ashdale at the Rolex Kentucky event in Lexington last year.

His injuries ruled him out of defending his title at Badminton, which took place a few weeks later but both horse and rider recovered to do well later in the season.

Townend won Badminton in 2009 with Flint Curtis and has high hopes of Ashdale Cruise Master for this year’s event.

He has also entered Carousel Quest and Yorkshire owner Stephen Hazeldene’s ODT Master Rose.

Northallerton’s Nicola Wilson won an Intermediate section at Belton riding Annie Clover, with Townend taking third place on Belmont Verlande, also owned by the Hazeldenes.

His further successes included an Intermediate win with ODT Ghareeb; an Advanced win with Neo du Breuil and top-three placings with ODT Sonas Rovatio and ODT Master Rose.

The 2011 Polocrosse World Cup, due to have been held at Bishop Burton College near Beverley in July, will now take place at Onley Grounds Equestrian Centre in Warwickshire.

This was to have been another feather in the college’s cap following the successful staging of the FEI European Pony Championships last year.

However, the UK Polocrosse Association took the decision to move the event to Onley Grounds, which is also the home of Rugby Polo Club, because of its purpose built, perfectly flat grounds.

The Association also felt that Onley’s position in the middle of the country would be convenient both for players travelling from other countries and for spectators.

Staff at Bishop Burton, who had already put considerable work into planning for the event, were concerned that the decision was taken relatively late in the day.

Also most teams and some supporters had already booked flights and reserved accommodation in the area and cancellations will obviously have an effect on local businesses.

Ian Heaton, head of the UK Polocrosse Association, apologised for the inconvenience the change of venue will cause but said he thought Onley would be a top class venue.

The event will run from July 8 to 17 and will feature the top eight polocrosse playing nations in the world.

These include the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the USA, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

There will also be a Polocrosse International Challenge and an International Pony Club polocrosse competition.

Advance ticket prices range from £4 to £15 a day with free entry for children under the age of 10. There are also special deals for group bookings from Pony Clubs, riding clubs and riding centres. More information visit www.polocrosse2011.com

The National Shire Show at Peterborough proved to be a particularly successful outing for Jamie and Caroline Mason from Haworth.

Their home-bred, six-year-old gelding Jacobies Jacob, a massive 19.1hh, was Senior Gelding and overall Grand Champion Gelding at the show.

This win more than made up for the hard work of keeping their horses in good order during such a severe winter.

“It’s an early show and if they can look good in March after wintering out that’s a really good start,” said Caroline.

“He’s grown quite a bit over the last few months – he’s a big horse and he has a very nice temperament.”

Jacob’s sire is the former champion stallion, Harwoods Commander and his dam is Woodhouse Lucy Kate.

She has now been sold, so Jacob is the last of this line for the Masons. His next outing will be at the Newark and Notts County Show in May.

Results

National Shire Show, placings of Yorkshire exhibitors, Gelding – 4 Years 7 Over: 1, J Mason & Son – Jacobies Jacob; 2, P Bedford – Pantyrhuad Sunset; 10, Mr & Mrs B & D Lowrie – Upperfoot Sir Selwyn. Senior Championship Gelding: Jacobies Jacob; Reserve Pantyrhuad Sunset. Colt – 1 Year Old: 1, W Bedford – Landcliffe Fascinator; 2, P Bedford – Shadlac Johnny Walker; 8, CA Wilkins – Oaklodge Winston.Stallion – 2 Years Old: 1, P Bedford – Metheringham Upton Hamlet; 7, R Bedford – Acle Sweet William. Stallion – 3 Years Old: 4, P Bedford – Dothan Silver Dollar.Stallion – 4 Years Old: 2, P Bedford – Wheathead Centurion. Reserve Junior Stallion: Metheringham Upton Hamlet.Stallion – 5 Years & Over: 1, P Bedford - Penrhos Braveheart; 3, J Clayton – Sladbrook Benefactor; 4, R Bedford - Boothay Richard.Filly – 1 Year Old: 4, Mr & Mrs FJ Pickles - Cumeragh House Mary Beth; 6, P Bedford - Deighton Model; 7, P Bedford - Hainton Roxanna. Filly – 2 Years Old: 3, AJ Gribbin – Leaventhorpe Lucky Lady; 5, JG Durrans – Phoenix Gemma. Filly – 3 Years Old: 2, AJ Gribbin – Leaventhorpe My Girl; 3, R Bedford – Hartcliff Lady Margaret. Mare – 4 Years 7 Over: 2, AJ Gribbin – Cairnsmore Star of Faith; 3, P Bedford - Phoenix Ellie; 4, FWO Richardson & Sons – Bewholme Moonlight Sensation; 5, K Downs – Milnerfield Lady Margaret; 7, P & K Harper – Bradworth Olivia. Ridden Shire (pure bred): 2, Mrs D Eastwood – Fellview Brazilia. Ridden Shire (part bred): 2, Mrs L Binns – Dee Cee. Reserve Ridden Champion – Fellview Brazilia.