'This is positive news for showing'

Bethan Simons reflects on London and encourages a New Year's resolution

- Bethan Simons

THOUGH we’re toeing the starting line of a brand-new season it’s just a blink since the end of the last, London International, which was once again a festive triumph. For starters, watching younger competitors meeting Santa was heartwarming.

The British Show Horse Association’s (BSHA) rising stars series and Senior Showing and Dressage Ltd (SSADL) championships at London completed a trio of amateur-only home-produced finals in a month, alongside the Showing Teams And Rising Stars (STARS) championships and the new The Showing Register (TSR) Amateur of the Year.

All three held a joyous atmosphere. Competitors felt genuinely happy to be competing on stages with all the bright lights and ceremony that befit the graft, time and cash they put into their prep – regardless of their final placing. Some seasoned competitors would do well to channel this energy when they are standing further down the line than they’d wish at open finals.

The standard in London’s performance classes was outstanding; I particularly loved the two-minute bell that signalled time over in horse ranks, as it focused shows. Some shows in the pony ranks were a tad long.