Barker bags it

Things go to plan for Elsi Jacques, a weeklong partnership comes up trumps, and risky turns pay off for some

- BECKY MURRAY

Morris EC 148cm Pony Premier, Ayrshire

HANNAH BARKER and Ammanvalley Santino were on flying form, producing the only double clear for victory in Saturday’s Charles Britton Construction winter JA classic qualifier. The experienced combination most recently took second place in the 148cm Voltaire Design mince pie stakes at Olympia before Christmas, and this was the British-bred gelding’s first show back.

“He felt really good,” said Hannah. “In the jump-off, my plan was to go for the clear. He’s naturally very forward to ride and really takes you round.

“This is my last year on him and he’s the only pony I have at the moment, so I’ll be aiming for teams again. We were at the pony European Championships in Strzegom last year — it’s all been amazing,” she added.

With only three combinations in the second round and with both Tabitha Kyle and Jennifer Billington picking up four faults, a third jump-off was not on the cards. Second-placed Tabitha collected her ticket to the spring final on Nightgirl Van Het Sonnishof Z, while third-placed Jennifer and Merlijn VD Bisschop had already qualified earlier in the month.

The equivalent class on Sunday resulted in a head-to-head between Elsi Jacques and Tabitha, who was this time riding the qualified gelding Gangnam Style II, and Jennifer Billington on the also already qualified Faith X. As Tabitha took a pull going into the final fence after a long gallop down from the second-last oxer, it was Elsi who took home the spoils on her mother’s stallion Trevoulter Ladies Man in 34.15sec.