Rachel Littlewood topped the NAF 5 Star BE80 championships outcomes on the Defender Bramham Horse Trials at the moment – on the identical day her journey, Fiancee, turned a mom. Her filly by Blue Hors Viconte was born by embryo switch this morning.
“Her foal wasn’t due till 12 June, however she got here this morning whereas I used to be driving right here – I feel I’m going to name her Bramham,” stated Rachel. “The foal and surrogate mummy are doing effectively and hopefully she’ll do in addition to ‘Lottie’ has performed.”
Rachel owns and runs Pickering Grange Equestrian in Leicestershire and has been on a sabbatical from working for HSBC since final July, taking the time to construct a brand new area. She has six horses and competes three of them in the intervening time.
“I’ve owned Fiancee since she was a four-year-old and it’s our second eventing season – we’ve by no means been to any kind of nationwide championships so it’s superb. I by no means thought we’d win in one million years,” stated Rachel. “She’s a completely fab horse and I do a little bit of all the pieces together with her. I actually take pleasure in eventing as a result of I really like the cross-country.”
The pair have been second after dressage, which Rachel stated isn’t at all times their sturdy level, and stayed on that first-phase rating of 29.9, regardless of a dicey second on the massive drop on the Joules Leap of Religion (fence 9ab).
“I can’t wait to see the video – she noticed one thing and acquired startled after which kind of cat leapt from nowhere. I ended up midway up her neck, however one way or the other I stayed on,” stated Rachel.
BE80 championships outcomes: teenager takes second
Beth Jones, 18, took second on Fantasy Chilli.
“I’ve had her three years and she or he had been in coaching, however by no means raced. The primary week I had her she put me in hospital after she put me by way of the fence of our area – I used to be very sore, however fortunately nothing was damaged,” stated Beth.
“She was very not often on all 4 toes – she was at all times on her again legs, at all times kicking out. It’s been very rewarding to retrain her to the purpose of having the ability to do a stunning dressage take a look at and soar spherical this nice, technical course.”
Beth works as a yard lead on the Fortune Centre of Driving Remedy, a school the place 16 to 25 12 months olds with studying disabilities study by way of horses. She is at present doing British Horse Society exams and likewise has an ex-racehorse who she is aiming at Retraining of Racehorses displaying courses.
“I simply actually take pleasure in producing children and seeing the progress they make,” she stated.
BE80 championships winner Rachel Littlewood with second-placed Beth Jones and third-placed Deborah Burrell, plus NAF’s Eloise Chugg-Martin and Bramham host Nick Lane Fox.
Deborah Burrell, 55, landed third with Imperial Tangle. The 55-year-old was lately recognized with most cancers and delayed beginning therapy to compete at Bramham.
“I stated, ‘I don’t care what I’ve acquired – I’m not lacking Bramham after I labored so arduous final 12 months to get right here.’ I’ve had ‘Impy’ eight years and she or he’s my absolute life – my coronary heart hurts, I really like her a lot,” stated Deborah.
“4 years in the past, my son was recognized with most cancers and Impy acquired me by way of that and now she’s acquired to do it once more. She actually is my entire world.”
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