We are the champions

The path to the peak of riding clubs competition is paved with camaraderie, team spirit and supportive friendships. Emily Bevan meets five of last year’s champions

- Emily Bevan

Lauren Shelley

“I love the team spirit”

Riding club: Crown

Horse: Cardinar Surprise

Champion: open 100+ at the 2019 British Riding Clubs (BRC) NAF Five Star National Horse Trials Championships

VICTORY in the open 100+ at the BRC NAF Five Star National Horse Trials Championships was extra special for Lauren Shelley and Cardinar Surprise as four months previously the mare had suffered from peritonitis and her life hung in the balance.

“I was so happy to have qualified and be competing at the championships that I didn’t mind how we did,” says the Crown RC member who led the three-day competition from start to finish aboard Surprise.

“The showjumping was in reverse order so we were last into the arena and I was so nervous. My overwhelming feeling when we jumped clear was one of relief that I hadn’t let her down. The fact that we’d won didn’t sink in until afterwards, but when it did it was an amazing feeling.”

It was also a special result because Lauren broke and produced the 16.1hh Hanoverian herself after she made a surprise appearance at their yard.

“We had bought Surprise’s mum Olive not knowing she was in foal. She didn’t show any signs and so when Surprise appeared we were very shocked – hence the name. Olive’s previous owners had tried to put herin foal to Cardinar but thought they’d been unsuccessful so sold her,” reveals Lauren.