Bloxham’s Eventer Challenge Grand Final took place on Sunday 26th February 2017 at Aston-Le-Walls Equestrian Centre.
Over 120 brave riders battled the elements to compete for top prizes at the final leg of what has been a very exciting Eventer Challenge Series.
The series has been running since October 2016 and teams and individuals from far and wide have been earning qualifying points throughout the six previous rounds. Riders and teams with the most points were invited to take part in the Grand Final, also held at the glorious Aston-Le-Walls Equestrian Centre. Riders competed in classes from 65cm up to 110cm and really enjoyed the opportunity to contend an array of prizes including championship rugs, sashes, numnahs, horse treats, leadropes and beautiful rosettes! Bloxham’s famous catering team provided tea, coffee and home-baked cookies and flapjack to keep the hardy riders on top form in the chilly, windy weather. A fun parents’ class took place in the middle of the day, with some debate over the results, but it was agreed Sarah Hopwell won with a lovely clear round over the 80cm course. Winning teams and riders were able to take part in a lap of honour, galloping around the arena to the very fitting “We are the Champions” music; a great way to celebrate the end of the competition!
Riders have been awarded points throughout the series, contibuting to both individual and school team scores. There were prizes for overall winners of the series and the winners on the day of the championship:
| ‘ | ‘League Individual | League Team’ | ‘Championship Individual | Championship Team’ |
| ’65cm | Maizey J (Sibford) | Sibford | Poppy S (Chenderit)’ | Chenderit |
| ’80cm | George V-R (Witham Hall) | Witham Hall | George V-R (Witham Hall) | Kimbolton’ |
| ‘90cm | Katie J (Kimbolton) | Tudor Hall | Poppy P (Winchester House School) | Witham Hall |
| ‘100cm | Grace H (Bloxham) | Bloxham | Indy Y (Tudor Hall) | Bloxham |
| ‘110cm | George H (Bloxham) | ‘- | India W (Bloxham) | ‘- |
A huge well done to all of the competitors who have competed in any of the Eventer Challenge rounds and a big thank you to Fran Bird and Sarah Hopwell, as well as Tom Jones at Aston Le Walls for organising such a fantastic event.
The Flickr photo album can be accessed here.