ANZIO Digital Belton Horse Trials 2014

by Baron Halpenny, LincsMag Editor.
Date: 09 April 2014

Belton Horse Trials - Lincolnshire Magazine - LincsMag.com

The popular Belton Horse Trials, incorporating the Lycetts Grantham Cup, the event’s most prestigious class, the CIC***, was run this year in conjunction with The National Trust, which meant for the first time, entry to the Horse Trials also included access to the beautiful grounds of Belton House and the adventure playground, shop and everything else The National Trust had to offer.

Fortunately the weather was overall reasonable, despite the occasional threat of rain, but it didn’t matter as peoples attention was firmly fixed on the gripping equestrian action as well as family entertainment being on hand to keep everyone happy.

It was no surprise that with so much on offer this year; numbers were well up every day with footfall through the gate doubling on Saturday. Event Director Stuart Buntine attributed this to the new partnership established with the National Trust for 2014.

“For the first time this year we ran the event in conjunction with the National Trust under the banner ‘One ticket One Belton’. This meant whether you bought a ticket for the Horse Trials or for the House, you could enjoy complimentary access to all the attractions,” he said.

Indeed, as well as the dressage, show jumping and cross-country competition, there was an inter-hunt relay, Pony Club mounted games and the showcase Stallion Parade. Added to this there was access to the National Trust’s Belton House and Gardens, a ladies’ charity luncheon with style and fashion presentation, a dog show, a Grantham Classic Car Club meet and a shopping village with up to 100 trade stands catering for most peoples tastes at such events as these.

CIC** and Advanced

The CIC** Section L was run on Saturday and saw Japanese rider, Toshiyuki Tanaka, winning first place on his horse, Marquis de Plescop, second was Tom How riding Belco Hrs and third was Georgie Strang on Cooley Business Time.

Lincolnshire based Alex Postolowsky came in a respectable seventeenth on DS Alice, out of seventy-three entrants that completed the course.

The Advanced Section M class was won by Sir Mark Todd on Amacuzzi, and this was already a good clue to show that the legendary world-class rider was on form at Belton this year. Second was Carolyne Ryan-Bell riding Rathmoyle King and third was Andrew Nicholson on Quimbo. So New Zealand boys took first and third.

The Advanced Section N (incorporating the Advanced U25) saw Mark Kyle take first place on Coolio with New Zealand rider, Andrew Nicholson now on Avebury, taking second place this time. Third place was Emilie Chandler on Coopers Law. Andrew Nicholson may have been hoping that his third place, then second place will lead him to a first in the Lycetts Grantham Cup, but Mark Todd, who had not entered in the Advanced Section N had other ideas and was preparing himself accordingly.

Lycetts Grantham Cup

Belton Horse Trials - Lincolnshire Magazine - LincsMag.com

After a thrilling afternoon, which saw a few tumbles, the most spectacular and talked about probably being Ben Hobday’s, due to the fact he was wearing a camera on his helmet that recorded the fall from a unique view, it was world class New Zealand rider Sir Mark Todd who comfortably won the Grantham Cup riding Leonidas II. Not content with that he also took fourth place on his Olympic 2012 ride NZ Campino.

“The two horses are very similar and the result really could have gone either way,” said Sir Mark. “I had not planned to go so fast but having found myself in the lead decided to ride to win!” he said.

Italian, Vittoria Panizzon, riding Borough Pennyz, finished in second place. The talented Italian won the Lycetts Grantham Cup last year but had to be satisfied with second place this year

Also showing like Mark Todd that experience and skill still counts … as well as a damn good horse … veteran British Olympian Mary King came in third with her London 2012 ride Imperial Cavalier.

Clearly, visitors coming to see this equestrian spectacle were not left disappointed and it’s good to see veteran riders in their fifties taking on and winning far younger competitors.

Facebook Picture Album

To see more pictures from the Belton Horse Trials 2014, visit the Album on our Facebook page HERE!

CLICK ME and I'll take you top the Top of the Page!

© Copyright 2009 - ANZIO Group    NO PART may be reproduced without written permission.       ANZIO Web Design Site Design by ANZIO