Yorkshire riding instructor scoops top prize

Anthony Turnbull from Whitby, North Yorkshire, took the honours in a prestigious national final for British Horse Society Registered Instructors at Royal Windsor Horse Show yesterday.

The Martin Collins ‘Instructors Challenge’ is a combined training competition open to all BHS Registered Instructors. Competitors earned their place in the final at a series of regional qualifiers held across the UK.

The competition is run according to British Dressage Combined Training rules at Novice Level. Competitors cannot have ridden internationally within the last ten years and must be listed on the BHS Register of Instructors.

Anthony, a BHSAI, received his prizes – including a cheque for £800 – from Captain Mark Phillips FBHS.

Speaking after the presentation he said: “I came last year with a different horse but didn’t get placed. I never thought I’d do so well this year. It’s been a great experience.”

Anthony rode Rebel Storm Dancer, a stallion owned by Gladys Jordan. He has been riding the stallion for around two years and the pair have their first novice BE event this weekend. He said: “I’m just over the moon with the horse, chuffed to bits with him. I’m really looking forward to the future, he’s a cracking horse”.

Sally Robinson, a freelance BHSI from Alnwick, Northumberland took second place, riding Sunday School, her own seven-year-old grey gelding. Third place went to Jo Roberts BHSII, who runs Hill Farm, a BHS Approved Riding Centre in Somerset, on Vivante, a 10-year-old Warmblood. Jo was offered the rides on Vivante and Artizan (who finished ninth) by their owners when her own her horse, Tilly’s Magic, sustained an injury just days before the qualifier.

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