Middleton Pony Club celebrate win (From Gazette & Herald)

Middleton Pony Club celebrate win

3:36pm Thursday 2nd July 2009

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Middleton Pony Club team celebrated after winning the Area 3 Novice Challenge Jumping Competition which was held at Carr Farm, Wykeham, on Sunday.

The competition, hosted by the Derwent Pony Club, was hotly contested with 28 teams entered.

The Middleton Hunt red team comprising of William Easterby riding Matley Merlin II, Emily Easterby on Mundon Cyclone, Sophie Lear with Manor Gunn, and Amy Milburn riding Loughnatousa Orange, have now qualified for the 2009 Pony Club Novice Championships which take place in Cheshire on August 29.

Meanwhile, William Funnell joined the ranks of hat-trick Hickstead Derby winners on the same day after a thrilling clear round on Cortaflex Mondriaan.

With Guy Williams and William Whitaker both lying on four faults, William Funnell, who was the last rider to go, knew that producing a clear round would secure the coveted title.

While the crowds were on the edge of their seats, the 43-year-old rode into the history books with one of the coolest performances under pressure.

William and 15-year-old Dutch bred gelding, Mondriaan, took each fence in their stride, making the 16-fence track look easy.

It was a particularly poignant competition this year, with all riders wearing black armbands in memory of the late Douglas Bunn, founder of Hickstead in 1960, who passed away on June 16.

Results: 1 Will Funnell & Cortaflex Mondriaan, 2= Guy Williams & Skip Two Ramiro, 2= William Whitaker & Animation II, 4= Tina Fletcher & Promised Land, 4= Ben Maher & Quainton Quirifino Z, 4= Robert Smith & Vangelis S

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