It was the turn of the York and Ainsty South branch to host this year’s Novice Challenge Area 3 competition at Port Royal EC last weekend.

As always, it proved to be a busy day, with 96 competitors entered to qualify for a place at the Pony Club Novice Championships at Kelsall Hill, in August.

Out of 25 teams, only the top three qualify for the chance to enter the championships.

Host district commissioner Gill Chivers said: “I have to thank all the branches who attended and to everyone who helped make this such a good day. This was an extremely tightly-fought competition, right down to the last team to jump. Two teams – Bramham Moor A and Vale of York – finished on zero and had to jump off against the clock for first and second places and four teams – Glaisdale, York and Ainsty South, Badsworth A and Hurworth – finished on eight faults, so had to jump off for the third qualifying place, which Glaisdale won.

“There were a number of individual double-clear rounds who also did a timed jump-off. This was won very convincingly by Charlotte Blenkin on Hillside Monet, from the Sinnington branch."

"To come first out of so many competitors is really exciting and I’m looking forward to going to the championships as the representative from the Sinnington branch,” said Charlotte. “I’ve got to thank our district commissioner, Romy Cordingley, as well as our instructor Steph Robson and Phil Brown, who walked the course with us and warmed us up prior to jumping – and I had better not forget my mum.”

The next round of area competition will be the dressage competition at Frickley Hall, on Friday, July 25.

The final results were:

Qualifying teams:

1st Bramham Moor A: Evie Hardwick on Grey Commander, Charlie Robinson on Little Boy, Becca Dale on Kevin, Molly Robinson on Johnny

2nd Vale of York: Leah Stott on Vinnie, Georgina Elliott on Mark Oak Tiger Lily, Georgina Glew on Cathael Golden Sunshine, Cat Dalton on She’s All That

3rd Glaisdale A: Anna Wood on T.J., Issy Hogarth on Rushmoor Beauty, Maizie Thompson on Mr Bobs, Tilly Adamski on Henry

Qualifying Individuals (4 not from a winning team):

1st Charlotte Blenkin on Hillside Monet (Sinnington Ind)

2nd Sam Thompson on Puzzle II (York & Ainsty South Ind)

3rd Charlie Robinson on Little Boy

4th Ossian Fletcher on Bobby (Holderness A Ind)

5th Leah Stott on Vinnie

6th Becca Dale on Kevin

7th Mary Foster on May Flower (Badsworth A Ind)

Tack & Turnout Competition:

1st Sinnington

2nd Bramham Moor A

3rd Ryburn Valley